LS poll results: RBI, SEBI, Fin MIn draw up contingency plan to deal with market volatility

The Reserve Bank, SEBI and the Finance Ministry have drawn up a contingency plan to deal with any excessive market volatility when results of the general elections are declared today. 

Governor Raghuram Rajan told reporters in Shimla that they have placed prudential contingency plans to infuse liquidity, if needed. Finance Minister P Chidambaram earlier this week asked the regulators to maintain a strict vigil on volatility in the stock markets on the day of the poll results.

The SEBI said, it has taken steps to check any irregularity in trading today. SEBI Chairman UK Sinha said that the market regulator is prepared for any eventuality and it is conducting stress-tests for markets on a daily basis.

In the last two elections, stocks had reacted sharply after results were announced, triggering circuit-breakers. Similarly, Sensex hit the upper circuit within 30 seconds of the market opening for the first time after the results were declared in 2009, and trading was halted for two hours. 

The indices again hit the upper circuit within minutes of the markets re-opening, and trading was called off for the day.