MCX Stock Exchange (MCX-SE) has extended the deadline for its rights issue, which aims to raise Rs 545 crore, to April 17 on request from shareholders.

The rights issue was announced on last Monday, and was supposed to close on Friday, March 21. The commodity exchange said it extended the deadline as some banks had sought more time because they were in the process of obtaining clearances for the investment from their boards and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

Announcing the decision, MCX-SE said, "While shareholders see this as an opportunity to enhance their equity exposure in the exchange at a very attractive price, some banks have sought more time as they are in the process of getting clearances for investment from their boards and the RBI."

The exchange added that a number of leading shareholding banks had already confirmed their participation in the rights issue and that it had started receiving funds on account of the rights issue.

The rights issue of two new shares for each share owned by existing equity shareholders has been priced at Rs 5 per share, which includes a premium of Rs 4 per share.

Currently, around 80 per cent stake in MCX-SE is owned by government-run banks and financial institutions.

Financial Technologies (India) Ltd (FTIL) and MCX were among the original promoters of MCX-SX, which is the country's youngest stock exchange. But, a few days back, capital market regulator Sebi ruled that FTIL is not "fit & proper" to own stakes in any stock exchange and ordered it to divest holdings in all exchanges, including MCX-SX.