A financial regulator has authorised persons resident outside...

A financial regulator has authorised persons resident outside the country holding Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) to invest rupee surplus balances in non-convertible debentures/bonds and commercial papers issued by domestic companies, amending the Master Direction to treat such investments as "eligible instruments" and to reckon them under the corporate debt securities limit under the General Route. SRVA investments remain subject to FPI investment limits, though minimum residual maturity and issue-wise limits do not apply for the SRVA route. SRVA holders and authorised dealer banks bear primary compliance responsibility; banks must facilitate separate demat accounts and report transactions to depositories. Immediate effect.