Clamour gets louder for single-window clearance of M&As

With many merger and acquisition (M&A) deals getting caught in a cross-regulatory web, there is a call for single-window clearance. Delay in such approvals is said to have hit several such deals in the recent past. When it involves listed companies, this would hit the interest of minority shareholders. Sources say the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) is among those suggesting an umbrella body for (M&A) clearance. The aim is to smoothen the process, making it time-bound.

In the past year, a proposed merger between HDFC Standard Life and Max Financial Services had to be called off after