SEBI to outsource investor helpline to call centre
05 May 2011
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) will outsource its investor helpline service relating to investors' queries on issues like IPOs and trading to a third-party call centre.
SEBI, which faces complaints and queries from thousands of investors every day, is expected to hire a call centre agency in Mumbai with at least 500 seats.
The market regulator took the decision to outsource the helpline to fast-track solving of investor complaints.
SEBI has already decided to hand over the processing and maintenance of investor grievances to third-party agencies.
The toll-free national helpline will attend to investor's calls initially between 9.30 am and 5.00 pm on week days, a SEBI official said. The timings may be extended later if needed, the official added.
SEBI is also in the process of finalising a set of regulations for outsourcing of work by various market intermediaries such as brokers, mutual funds and investment bankers.