Badla Trading: A Primer and a Proposal

This paper explains the mechanics of badla trading and settlement. It reviews badla transactions, fixation of havala rates and margins, the market process of determining the badla rates, and payment procedures. The accounting mechanism for carry over business illustrated with hypothetical transactions in a ‘valan’. An evaluation of risk-return in carry over business and badla financing is done. The author reviews the deficiencies in existing practices followed by the Stock Exchange authorities infixing havala rates and margins; and general enforcement of rules related to carry over business. Certain suggestions regarding simplification of margin fixation and collections are made. In the absence of institutional arrangements for margin trading and short selling, SEBI is urged to reintroduce badla system but only after making sure that the Stock Exchange Authorities would behave in a responsible manner and have proper wherewithal to ensure effective monitoring. Stock Exchange as a Self-regulatory Organizations (SROs) would have to devise effective systems which are not prone to unwarranted influences. Specific suggestions for Stock Exchange authorities are: a) Do not make compromises in fixing havala rates to solve temporary default problems; b) Collect margins at a fixed percentage (say 35 per cent) of the gross value of total carry over business; do not fix varying margins for bulls and bears for different scrips. c) Closely monitor and prohibit practices used by brokers such as ‘vandhas’ and ‘chalu upla’ to reduce margin liabilities. d) Limit carry over business to 12.5 times of the broker’s net capital. Insist on segregation of clients’ deposits from broker’s capital. Enforce capital adequacy norms stringently. Hopefully, with the change in power equation between Executive Director and them ember brokers on the one hand and composition of the Governing Board on the other, it should be possible for SEA to ensure necessary control and monitoring system for successful operation of badla system.