Mumbai, 20^th November 2023

 

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA), in collaboration with the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and National Stock Exchange (NSE), convened the conference on the theme of “Investor Protection in the Digitalized World: Role and Criticality of Financial Advisors”, on November 20, 2023, at the National Stock Exchange of India Limited in Mumbai.

As part of an investor awareness initiative aimed to empower investors through an investor awareness initiative, the conference highlighted the growing importance of financial advisors in the digital landscape. It elaborated their roles as guides, educators, and protectors responsible for navigating complexities, enabling informed decisions, and safeguarding the financial well-being of the end user, the investor.

The conference convened stakeholders from government bodies, academic institutions, and industry experts. Panelists shared their expertise and thoughts on the crucial role of financial advisors in protecting investor interests in an evolving digital environment.

As the world embraces digital transitions, financial literacy and inclusion will significantly unfold the potential of these developments. With the successful conclusion of this insightful conference, organizers look forward to building sustainable cooperation with a shared commitment to raising financial awareness and protecting investors' interests in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Senior government officials from NSE, Dr. Harish K. Ahuja, Head PSD - Power & Carbon Markets, Investor Awareness/Services & Primary Market Relationships, and Shri Ashish Kumar Chauhan, MD and CEO, delivered the introductory and welcome addresses respectively. Lt. Col. Tushar Anand, GM at IEPFA, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, delivered the keynote address elaborating IEPFA’s extensive collaborations with organizations like NCAER, IICA, IPPB, CSC, NYKS, ICAI, ICSI, and others. These collaborations focus on education, technological literacy, transparency, and fostering trust to bolster investor protection. The GM added, that notably, advancements in claims settlement and refunding over 3 Crore shares align with Ease of Living and Doing Business initiatives. Collaborations with NCAER and NSE underscore a commitment to various facets of investor education and protection, envisioning ethical guidance and informed investors driving sustainable growth in the digital financial landscape.

 

Keynote Address: Lt. Col. Tushar Anand, GM, IEPFA, Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor at NCAER, moderated the conference successfully, with distinguished panelists including Shri Ashwani Bhatia, Whole Time Member, SEBI; Shri B.C. Patnaik, Whole Time Member, IRDAI; Ms. Padmaja Chunduru, MD and CEO, NSDL; and Shri Nilesh Shah, Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd.

Panellists: Mr. Nilesh Shah, Managing Director, Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co. Ltd.; Shri B.C. Patnaik, Member, IRDAI; Ms. Padmaja Chunduru, MD & CEO, NSDL; Mr. Ashwani Bhatia, Whole Time Member, SEBI; and Dr. C.S. Mohapatra, IEPF Chair Professor, NCAER (from left to right)

About IEPFA

The Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) was set up on September 7, 2016, under the aegis of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, for administering the Investor Education and Protection Fund for making refunds of shares, unclaimed dividends, and matured deposits/debentures, among other things, to investors.

About NCAER

NCAER is India’s oldest and largest independent economic think tank, set up in 1956 to inform policy choices for both the public and private sectors. It is one of a few independent think tanks world-wide that combines rigorous economic analysis and policy outreach with deep data collection capabilities, particularly for large-scale household surveys. NCAER is led by its Director General, Dr Poonam Gupta, the institution’s first woman head, who assumed office on 1 July 2021, and it is governed by an independent Governing Body currently chaired by
Mr Nandan M. Nilekani.

About NSE

NSE, a nationally significant institution with global recognition, stands tall as one of the world's largest exchanges, driving India's economic growth. Renowned for its international stature, NSE prioritizes investor protection while fostering a transparent and efficient market ecosystem. Its disciplined approach shapes the Indian capital market landscape, embodying a homegrown brand with a global vision.

 

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