Market intermediaries and corporates will soon have to pay higher fees to Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) as its board on Thursday, approved proposals for fee hike to bolster financial resources of the capital markets regulator. The Sebi board also approved the budget estimates for the next financial year 2014-15, beginning April 1. Investor protection, capacity building, enhanced market surveillance and investigation functions have been identified as key areas. After a board meeting held in Mumbai, Sebi said that the fee revision proposals are based on recommendation of Committee on Rationalization of Financial Resources. Committee on Rationalisation of Financial Resources (CRFR) has suggested a hike in fees charged by Sebi to various market intermediaries, as also by listed and to-be- listed companies. It had also recommended imposition of fees for various services offered by Sebi, except for handling investor complaints. Besides, fees charged for consent settlement and informal guidance were proposed to be hiked. Sebi said its board has approved the upward revision of fees while ensuring minimal impact on investors. Sebi further said that its budget for the financial year 2014-15 has been prepared keeping in view the need to place greater emphasis to achieve the mandated statutory objectives