SEBI has allowed Financial Technologies to bring down its stake to 1.99 per cent in MCX.

The relaxation has been given in order to allow Financial Technologies (India) Ltd (FTIL) to comply with directions from Forward Markets Commission (FMC) issued in December 2013.

In a communication to MCX today, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) said the relaxation has been granted considering the peculair nature of the case and cannot be construed as a precedent to obtain similar exemptions in future.

It would be applicable "only for the limited purpose" to enable FTIL comply with the FMC order.

"Post divestment, MCX shall ensure that FTIL continues to lock-in at least 1.99 per cent of the paid up capital of MCX for the unexpired period of lock-in," SEBI said.

Under SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, FTIL is to have at least 20 per cent of the post-offer equity share capital of MCX as promoters' contribution till March 2015.

MCX had sought relaxation from this rule.

In the wake of the Rs 5,600 crore payment crisis at group firm National Spot Exchange Ltd, FMC had ruled that FTIL was unfit to run any exchange.

FMC had also asked FTIL to reduce its stake in MCX to 2 per cent from 26 per cent.

On Sunday, FTIL announced sale of 15 per cent stake in MCX to Kotak Mahindra Bank for Rs 459 crore.

FTIL originally held a 26 per cent stake in commodity exchange MCX.

Earlier this month, it had sold 6 per cent stake in MCX in two rounds for about Rs 220 crore, bringing down its shareholding to 20 per cent.

After an agreement with Kotak Mahindra bank to sell 15 per cent stake, FTIL is left with 5 per cent stake in MCX.

PTI