The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has reduced the timeline for completing rights issues to 23 days from 126 days, effective from April 7. The capital markets regulator has also provided flexibility of allotment to specific investors in the rights issue. In the upcoming first board meeting under the leadership of newly appointed Chairperson Tuhin Kanta Pandey, the SEBI is slated to discuss several major regulatory proposals. The agenda on the cards includes UPI-like protections for demat accounts, ensuring the independence of clearing corporations, expanding the scope of qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) and changes in fee collection by research analysts. For confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org for details. For support in the U.S., call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-8255. For the UK, call the helpline on 0800 1111.