New Delhi, Aug. 3 -- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has strengthened its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) regulatory framework by introducing safeguards against 'purpose-washing' in ESG debt securities, the government informed Parliament on Monday.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha, said ESG debt issuers are required to track and disclose whether the funds raised are being used for the stated environmental and sustainability objectives.

She said Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) has been made mandatory for the top 1,000 listed companies by market capitalisation from the financial year 2022-23.

The Finance Minister said SEBI has prescribed ESG ...