Your rights as investors

AS A shareholder in a company, you enjoy certain rights:

* To receive the share certificates, on allotment or transfer as the case may be, in due time.

* To receive copies of the abridged Annual Report, the Balance Sheet and the P&L A/c and the Auditors' Report.

* To participate and vote in the general meeting, either in person or in proxy.

* To receive dividends in due time once approved in General Meetings.

* To receive corporate benefits such as rights, bonus, etc. once approved.

* To apply to the Company Law Board (CLB) to call or direct the Annual General Meeting.

* To inspect the minute books of the General Meetings and to receive copies thereof.

* To proceed against the company by way of civil or criminal proceedings.

* To apply for the company's winding-up.

* To receive the residual proceeds.

Group rights: Besides these rights you enjoy as an individual shareholder, you also enjoy the following rights as a group:

* To requisition an extra-ordinary general meeting.

* To demand a poll on any resolution.

* To apply to CLB to investigate the company's affairs.

* To apply to CLB for relief in cases of oppression and/or mismanagement.

Debenture holder: As a debenture-holder, you have the right to:

* Receive interest/redemption in due time.

* Receive a copy of the trust deed on request.

* Apply for the company's winding up if it fails to pay its debt.

* Approach the Debenture trustee with your grievance.

The above mentioned rights may not necessarily be absolute. For instance, the right to transfer securities is subject to the company's right to refuse transfer according to the statutory provisions.

Your responsibilities: While you may be happy to learn of your rights as a stakeholder in the company, that should not lead you to complacency; because you have also certain responsibilities:

* To remain informed.

* To be vigilant.

* To participate and vote in general meetings.

* To exercise your rights on your own or as a group.

(Edited-extracts from the Securities and Exchange Board of India's `A Quick Reference Guide For Investors'.)