After announcing a slew of reforms in capital markets today, SEBI Chairman U K Sinha said retail investors are entering the markets in a big way. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Mr. Sinha said retail investors can act as an effective 'counter-balance' to foreign investors. Indian markets have been traditionally dependent in a big way on foreign investors, who own nearly half of all publicly traded shares in the country and have infused hundreds of billions of dollars.The SEBI Chairman said that it is very heartening to see the large number of demat accounts that have been opened in last six months as well as the number of mutual fund and retail investors. The market regulator has announced a number of reforms in IPO market and introduced a new regime for listing of start-ups to raise funds locally rather than going to foreign markets. The regulator also halved the listing time period for a company to six days. At the same time, SEBI also tightened its noose on companies that tend to divert funds raised from public to other profit-making avenues, while it warned of strict action against those having failed to appoint at least one woman director on their boards.