The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has sought fresh clarifications on the proposed $9.6-billion Vedanta-Cairn deal, which has already been awaiting clearance from the market regulator for about six months now.

Vedanta group had sought SEBI’s approval in August 2010 for an Rs 13,160 crore open offer for purchase of up to 20 per cent stake from the public as part of the overall deal.

According to sources, the market regulator has asked for more clarifications from the merchant banker involved in the planned Cairn-Vedanta deal. It could not be ascertained as to what new clarifications are being sought by SEBI.

Earlier, SEBI’s clearance was sought by Vedanta group firm Sesa Goa through its merchant banker JM Financial.

As part of the deal announced in August 2010, Vedanta group agreed to acquire up to 60 per cent stake in Cairn India from its Edinburgh-based promoter Cairn Energy and public shareholders.

This included an open offer for 20 per cent stake purchase from the public at a price of Rs 355 a share, totalling Rs 13,160 crore.

The open offer, which was initially scheduled to begin on October 11 last year and close on October 30, has been stuck for a long time given the delay in SEBI clearance.

Earlier, the regulator had asked for more details on issues such as open offer price and necessary clearance to the deal from the Petroleum Ministry and PSU energy giant ONGC.

SEBI had also sought clarifications on various media reports about the deal.

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