SEBI today unveiled a slew of measures to bring to book those running illegal money-pooling schemes and indulging in other fraudulent activities. It has also made it easier for companies to raise funds through genuine equity or debt offers, Sebi has also decided to ensure faster refund of money to investors and put in place necessary checks against any misuse of its newly granted powers with regard to conduct of search and seizure of fraudsters and manipulators.Announcing several decisions after a board meeting in Mumbai today, the Securities and Exchange Board of India or SEBI also said that the government has decided to provide tax treatment similar to FIIs to Foreign Portfolio Investors or FPIs which is a newly created class of overseas investors.Regarding raising of funds through Initial Public Offer or IPO of equity shares, Sebi board approved a proposal to do away with mandatory IPO grading, while a host of companies have been allowed to file shelf prospectus for debt offers that would be valid for multiple offers within a year. Sebi board also cleared new norms for its search and seizure operations and settlement proceedings. Detailed regulations have also been put in place for settlement of administrative and civil Proceedings in a transparent manner, while ensuring that serious offences like insider trading are kept out of settlement window. All these new measures would come into force after being notified separately by Sebi in the coming days.