Search and Status Report – Secretarial Audit Compliance Management and Due Diligence Important Questions

Search and Status Report – Secretarial Audit Compliance Management and Due Diligence Important Questions

Search and Status Report – Secretarial Audit Compliance Management and Due Diligence Important Questions

Question 1.
Write Short Note on the following: “Search and Status Report on the position of borrowings made by a Company”.
Answer:
Search and Status Report are basic tools for banks to know the viability of their customer who approach the bank for Cash Credit Limits, Term Loans or otherwise. The sole motto of banks is to provide loans against interest.

The current position of the assets being pledged by the companies become important and the only way to know whether such property is already pledged to some other bank or not is the Search Report.

The following basic information about the existing loans taken by the Company is given by the Company Secretary through such reports:

  • The date of loan taken by the company and the charge created in such respect.
  • The name and address of the charge holders.
  • The type of charge i.e. whether joint charge or consortium charge.
  • The amount of loan.
  • The property charged/pledged against such loan.
  • The terms and conditions of such loan i.e., rate of interest, terms of repayment, margin money and extent of operation.

Question 2.
Write Short Note on the following: “Importance of Search/Status Report”.
Answer:

  • The scope of Search and Status report depends upon the requirements of the Bank/Financial Institution/Lender/Investor concerned.
  • A Search and Status report prepared by a Company Secretary in Practice helps Banks / Financial Institutions / Lenders / Investors to take conscious decision regarding the quantum of loan/credit facility to be sanctioned and investment to be made.
  • It also helps in taking an informed and speedy decision assuring the creditworthiness or otherwise of the company.

Question 3.
Write Short Note on the following: “Charges requiring Registration”.
Answer:
The following are the list of charges which is required to be registered with the Registrar of Companies:

  • A charge for the purpose of securing any issue of debentures;
  • A charge on uncalled share capital of the Company;
  • A charge on any book debts of the Company;
  • A charge on any immovable property, wherever situate, or any interest therein;
  • A charge on calls made but not paid;
  • A charge on goodwill or on patent or a license under a patent or on a ” trade-mark or on a copyright or a license under a copyright.

Question 4.
Write Short note on the following: “Time limit for filing the forms for charges requiring registration with the Registrar of Companies”.
Answer:
As per Sections 77 and 79 of Companies Act, 2013 for creation of charge or modification of charge or acquisition of property which is subject to charge the form is required to be filed within thirty days from the date of creation, modification or acquisition. However the Registrar may, on an application by the company, allow such registration to be made:

  • in case of charges created before the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, within a period of three hundred days of such creation; or
  • in case of charges created on or after the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, within a period of sixty days of such creation, on payment of such additional fees as may be prescribed.

As per Section 82 of Companies Act, 2013 for satisfaction of charge the form is required to be filed within a period of 30 days from the date of satisfaction. However, Registrar may on an application by the company or the charge holder, allow such intimation of payment or satisfaction to be made within a period of three hundred days of such payment or satisfaction on payment of such additional fees as may be prescribed.

Question 5.
A charge in favour of a public financial institution to secure a sum of INR 300 crore was not created by Dream House Construction Ltd. within the statutory period and the Company Law Board /Tribunal on an application made by the Company did not grant the extension of time. Is it possible to revive the said charge?
Answer:
In the given case, charge in favour of a public financial institution to secure a sum of INR 300 crore was not created by Dream House Construction Ltd. within the statutory period. Also, Tribunal on an application made by the Company did not grant the extension of time.

As per Section 77(3) of Companies Act, 2013 provides for certain charges to be void against liquidator appointed under this Act or the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, as the case may be or any other creditor unless registered and a certificate of registration of such charge is given by the Registrar.

Section 77 of the Companies Act, 2013 requires a company to file form for registration within 30 days after the date of creation of charge with the registrar along-with complete particulars together with the instrument, if any, creating, evidencing or modifying the charge or a copy thereof verified in the prescribed manner for registration.

Registrar may, on application by the company, allow such registration to be made:

  • in case charge created before the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, within a period of three hundred days of such creation.
  • in case charge created on or after the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, within a period of sixty days of such creation, on payment of such additional fees as may be prescribed.

Otherwise the charge shall be void against the liquidator and creditors and on the charge becoming void, thus money shall immediately become payable.

Question 6.
Rosy Trading Ltd. borrowed a sum of INR 20 Lakh from a bank on the mortgage of entire assets of the company and on execution of personal guarantee by all its directors, who stood as sureties for the loan. After one year, the company went into liquidation. For paying off the bank loan, on passing a Board Resolution, the directors advanced money to the company to discharge the liability towards the bank loan.

However, no action for satisfaction of charge against the property of the company with the Registrar of Companies was taken. Directors claimed that they were subrogated to the position of mortgagee bank on paying off the debt and thus wanted to claim the money in priority to others. You have been engaged to decide their claim. Decide giving reasons and citing case law.
Answer:
In the given case, Rosy Trading Ltd. borrowed a sum of INR 20 Lakh from a bank on the mortgage of entire assets of the company and on execution of personal guarantee by all its directors .who stood as sureties for the loan. After one year, the company went into liquidation then for paying off the bank loan on passing a Board Resolution the directors advanced money to the company to discharge the liability towards the bank loan.

However, no action for satisfaction of charge against the property of the company with the Registrar of Companies was taken. Directors claimed that they were subrogated to the position of mortgagee bank on paying off the debt and wanted to claim the money in priority to others.

As per Section 77(3) of Companies Act, 2013 provides for certain charges to be void against liquidator appointed under this Act or the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, as the case may be or any other creditor unless registered and a certificate of registration of such charge is given by the Registrar.

If a charge which requires registration is not registered then during liquidation a creditor with an unregistered charge assumes the status of an unsecured creditor.

In case of Prabhu v. Official liquidator, it was observed in the judgment that there was no registered deed crediting mortgage in favour of appellant. But the appellant advanced money to the company. The company paid the amount due to the bank using the money advanced by the appellant’s group. At the time when winding up application was filed, he has no case that there is a charge for the property. So, he was not subrogated to the position of the bank.

Thus, in the given case, the directors of Rosy Trading Ltd. are not entitled to claim money in priority to others. Although, the directors advanced money on passing the Board resolution, yet application of charge as per Section 77 of the Companies Act, 2013 not got registered in their favour in the records of the ROC.

Accordingly, their position was of an ordinary unsecured creditor.

Question 7.
“MCA-2I offers the facility to view documents and also search and other facilities of public documents online.” Explain the statement and narrate the procedure for examination of records filed by a company with the Register of Companies.
Answer:
MCA-21 offers the facility to view documents and also search and other facilities of public documents. This facility is useful for users and banks and financial institutions while sanctioning loAnswer: This facility enables viewing of public documents of companies for which payment has been made by user. The document can be viewed only within 7 days after the payment has been confirmed and are available only for 3 hours after the user has started viewing the first document of the company –
(a) User has to access My MCA portal and login to the My MCA portal.

(b) Click on the ‘My Documents’ tab after logging into the system.

(c) List of company names will be displayed, for which user have already paid for public viewing. It also displays:

  • Date of request Le. the date, when user made the request to view the company document.
  • Status of the request Le. whether viewed or to view.

(d) Click on the view link under status field.

(e) The documents are grouped under five categories i.e. user has to click on the desired category under which the document falls.

(f) If more than one document is listed, the user can arrange them name wise or date wise.

(g) On clicking the document name, the document shall be displayed for viewing.

Question 8.
Critically examine and comment on the following:
“The All-India Financial Institutions while granting term loans to companies insist on certain formalities to be completed by a company availing such loan”.
Answer:
The All-India Financial Institutions while granting term loans to companies insist on certain formalities to be completed by a company availing such loan. These include furnishing of certificates by company secretaries in practice in regard to the following:

  • Necessary power of a company and its directors to enter into a loan agreement.
  • Borrowing limits of a company under section 180(z)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013 including details of share capital-authorised, issued, subscribed and paid-up and the actual borrowing.
  • List of members of the Company.
  • Copies of resolutions passed at meeting to be furnished to financial institutions.

Question 9.
State the legal provisions contained in the Companies Act, 2013 for registration of charges, Also, state the consequences of non-filing of charges.
Or
Excel Ltd. has borrowed a sum of INR 10 crore by mortgaging its fixed assets. As a Company Secretary, indicate the steps you would take to get the charge registered with the Registrar of Companies. State the consequences if the charge is not registered.
Answer:
1. As per Section 77 of Companies Act, 2013 for creation of charge or acquisition of property which is subject to charge the form is required to be filed within thirty days from the date of creation or acquisition.

2. However the Registrar may, on an application by the company, allow such registration to be made:

  • in case of charges created before the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, within a period of three hundred days of such creation; or
  • in case of charges created on or after the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2019, within a period of sixty days of such creation, on payment of such additional fees as may be prescribed.

3. Following are the consequences in case of Non-registration of Charge:

  • Charge becomes void: A charge which is compulsorily required to be registered but which is not registered is void. This does not mean that the creditors cannot recover their dues. It only means that the benefit of security charged is not available to them.
  • Repayment of Money: The security becomes void by non-registration it does not affect the contract or obligation of the Company to repay the money thereby secured.
  • Punishment under section 86 of Companies Act, 2013:

4. Non-registration of particulars of charge is punishable with fine.

5. Company shall be liable to fine from INR 5,00,000.

6. Every Officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of INR 50,000.

Question 10.
Critically examine and comment on the following: “The scope of a search report depends upon the requirements of the bank or financial institution concerned.”
Answer:
The scope of Search and Status report depends upon the requirements of the Bank/Financial Institution/Lender/Investor concerned. A Search and Status report prepared by a Company Secretary in Practice helps Banks/Financial Institutions/Lenders/Investors to take conscious decision regarding the quantum of loan/credit facility to be sanctioned and investment to be made. It also helps in taking an informed and speedy decision assuring the creditworthiness or otherwise of the company.

Search and Status Report is mainly beneficial for following entities:
1. By Banks: Search and Status Report are basic tools for banks to know the viability of their customer who approach the bank for Cash Credit Limits, Term Loans or otherwise. The sole motto of banks is to provide loans against interest.

2. By Directors: An individual before becoming the Director of the Company may get the Search Report prepared from a Professional for following reasons:

  • To know the present directors of the company.
  • To know the assets and liabilities of the company.
  • To know the complete history as per ROC records since incorporation.

3. By Shareholders: Shareholders may also demand the Search Report of the company for the following reasons:

  • To know the status of the company.
  • To know the status of their shares held in the company.
  • To know the directors of the company.
  • To know the complete history as per ROC records since incorporation.

4. Government Authorities: Government Authorities like Income-tax Authorities, RBI, SEBI etc. can also get the Search Report prepared discerning the present status of the Company and various other financials filed by the company with the concerned Registrar of Companies.

5. Customers and Suppliers: Before entering into any agreement/con¬tract with the company, the suppliers or the Customers get the Search Report prepared.

Question 11.
Critically examine and comment on the following: “The scope of a search report depends upon the requirements of the lender who advances funds to the Company.” Answer:
1. The scope of a search report depends upon the requirements of the lender who advances funds to the Company.

2. The Search and Status Reports of a Company enable Banks /Financial Institutions / Lenders /Investors in making their lending and investment decisions. They also give an overview to such Lenders/Investors on the control and management of the Company and help them in deciding whether or not to enter into a lending/investment contract with the Company.

3. The main objective of a Search and Status Report is to help Lenders and Investors take an informed decision. It gives Lenders/Investors an insight into the Company, through its history & provides all the necessary details of the Company and its directors as well as the credit history of the company and its directors. It helps Lenders and Investors to take rational decisions on the quantum of loan/investment, sufficiency of security and its nature and other such requirements.

4. As the Report provides historical information about the past charges created in favour of earlier lenders, it enables new Lenders/Investors to assess the exact position of the company and to foresee where they would stand, if the company were to get into liquidation. Such Search and Status Reports act as a basis for Lenders/Investors to take correct lending/investment decisions.

Question 12.
What is the Search and Status Report? What are the points to be considered while finalizing the Search and Status Report?
Answer:
1. The Search and Status Report is not merely verbatim reporting of the information as made available but also, supplemented by observations / comments by the Company Secretary or such other professional who furnishes the Report. It has two facets. The first being ‘search’ involving physical inspection of documents and the second activity ‘status’ which comprises of reporting of the information as made available by the search. Thus, it acts as a ‘Progress Report’ of the company and gives ready reference to the exact situation.

2. The Search and Status Report acts as a tool to confirm and evidence information and contains information on status of charges. It is basically a report furnished based on the information gathered by a search of specific records made available for inspection in a Public Office or in any other convenient form. It is not merely verbatim reporting of the information as made available but also supplemented by observations/ comments by the person who furnishes the report. .

3. Following points to be considered while finalizing the Search and Status Report:

  • Identify those charges and modification of charges, which have been created in favour of a particular lender.
  • Take the particulars of the documents creating the charge as specified in CHG-1 and CHG-9 under the Companies Act, 2013.
  • Ascertain as to whether the amount secured by the charge as per the documents executed has been duly mentioned.
  • Ascertain as to whether ‘properties’ offered as security are mentioned as per the documents creating the charge and attached with the Forms and verify whether they are as per the terms of Sanction.
  • Check whether the terms and conditions governing the charge have been mentioned.
  • Ascertain whether the name of the lender is properly mentioned.
  • In case of modification of charge ascertain whether the names of documents effecting the modification are mentioned and whether the particulars of modification are clearly mentioned.

Question 13.
The balance sheet of Neeraj Fertilizer Ltd. as at 31st March, 2015 disclosed the following details:

Particulars (INR in Crore)
Authorised Share Capital (Equity Shares) Paid-up Share Capital 500
Statement of Profit and Loss (Cr.) 200
General reserve 30
Debenture Redemption Reserve 70
Loan (long-term) 50
Temporary Loan payable on demand 20
Short-term Loan 15

Board of Directors of the Company wishes to borrow an additional sum of INR 300 crore from the Company’s financial institution. The Borrowing was duly approved at a Board meeting. One of the directors has raised objection for such borrowing and argued that said borrowing was beyond the powers of the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors seeks your advice, being a company’s advisor about the borrowing limits and compliances required with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Advise the company.
Answer:
1. Section 180(1)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013 prohibits the Board of directors of a company from borrowing a sum which together with the monies already borrowed exceeds the aggregate of the paid-up share capital of the company and its free reserves apart from temporary loans obtained from the company’s bankers in the ordinary course of business unless they have received the prior sanction of the company by a special resolution in general meeting.

2. Explanation to section 180(1)(c) provides that the expression “temporary loans” means loans repayable on demand or within six months from the date of the loan such as short-term, cash credit arrangements, the discounting of bills and the issue of other short term loans of a seasonal character, but does not include loans raised for the purpose of financial expenditure of a capital nature.

3. According to the above provisions, the board of directors of Neeraj Fertilizer Ltd. can borrow without the approval of the shareholders in the general meeting, up to .an amount calculated as follows:

  • Paid up share capital = ₹ 200 crores.
  • Free reserves (Profit & and loss + General reserve) – 30 + 70 = ₹ 100 crores.
  • Total (i + ii) : ₹ 300 crores.
  • The company has long term loan of ₹ 50 crores.
  • Total amount up to which the company can borrow [(iii) – (iv)]= ₹ 250 crores.

4. In the given case,The board of directors of Neeraj Fertilizer Ltd. wishes to borrow an additional sum of ₹ 300 crores from the company’s financial institution. Thus, the objection of one of director is correct and the said borrowing will be beyond the powers of the Board of directors.

5. In order to borrow the said amount the company has to comply with the following requirements:

  • Hold the Board Meeting and issue the notice of general meeting.
  • Hold general meeting and pass the special resolution for trans-acting the matter stated above.
  • File Form No. MGT-14 with the fee or additional fee as provided in the Companies (Registration Offices and Feqs) Rules, 2014 with the ROC within 30 days of passing the special resolution.

Question 14.
The process of preparing search/status report enables determination out of total borrowing power, the extent up to which the company has already borrowed money or created charges on its movable and immovable properties and also the balance limit to borrow. However, there are certain exceptions of the term ‘borrowing of money’. Enumerate those exceptions i.e. the borrowings which are not included in determining the limit on borrowings.
Answer:
The term ‘borrowing of money’ includes all type of borrowings whether secured or unsecured, loan in the nature of debentures or otherwise etc. However, the following are exceptions to it as enumerated under section 180(1)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013:
1. Temporary loans obtained from the company’s bankers in the ordinary course of business : The expression “temporary loans” means loans repayable on demand or within six months from the date of the loan such as short-term, cash credit arrangements, the discounting of bills and the issue of other short-term loans of a seasonal character, but does not include loans raised for the purpose of financial expenditure of a capital nature;

2. Acceptance by a banking company: In the ordinary course of its business, of deposits of money from the public, repayable on demand or otherwise, and with drawable by cheque, draft, order or otherwise, shall not be deemed to be a borrowing of monies by the banking company within the meaning of Section 180(l)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013.

3. Contingent liability like amount outstanding on deferred payment agreement or under guarantees issued by bank or in respect of letter of Credit.

Question 15.
Explain the procedure for search Report under IPR Laws.
Answer:
Procedure for Search Report under IPR Laws
1. Preparing checklist : The checklist should contain a list of information required to understand the company’s business and its existing protected and protectable IP rights.

2. Segregating the IP assets relevant for the transaction from irrelevant ones: This activity should be done as soon as the preliminary perusal of the target’s business assets is done. It is important to connect additional IP rights with the main IP rights for the transaction.

3. Analysing all documents carefully: This activity includes analysing documents, relating to registration or agreements in the nature of licensing and franchising agreements, consultancy agreements, tech-nology transfer agreements, other contracts where IP clauses are included.

4. Verifying facts and confirm that the information is correct: This activity is important to verify the legality of documents. It is not prudent to merely rely on all details without cross-checking the same from other available sources.

5. Analyzing protected and protectable IP rights: After receiving full information/documents, IP rights, already subsisting or potential ones is required to be analyzed. Status check, validity check, ownership check, claim check and conflict check should be conducted in a proper
manner.

6. Drafting of status and search report: The final report should contain all the observations in relation to IP rights that would be the part of the transaction, before the prospective buyer/investor.

The IPR Search Report should also contain all the associated risks and liabilities along with strategies to deal with such issues which will help the prospective buyer/investor understand the pros and cons of the transaction.

Question 16.
Write Short Note on: “Purpose and objective of Search and Status Report”.
Answer:
Purpose:
1. A Search and Status Report traces the history of a Company’s property and how it has charged/mortgaged its assets with various Banks/Financial Institutions/Lenders over a period of time, before reaching the present bank that has demanded for the Search and Status Report.

2. A Search and Status Report assists the Bank/Financial Institution/Lender to evaluate the extent up to which the Company has already borrowed funds and created charges against its, movable and/or immovable properties. This information is vital for considering the Company’s request for grant of loans and other credit facilities.

Objectives:
1. The main objective of a Search and Status Report is to help Lenders and Investors take an informed decision.

2. It gives Lenders/Investors an insight into the Company, through its history & provides all the necessary details of the Company and its directors as well as the credit history of the company and its directors.

3. It helps Lenders and Investors to take rational decisions on the quantum of loan/investment, sufficiency of security and its nature and other such requirements.

4. It make available historical information about the past charges created in favour of earlier lenders, it enables foresee where they would stand, if the company were to get into liquidation.

Question 17.
List out reasons for which shareholders of any company can demand the Search Report of the Company?
Answer:
Shareholders may also demand the Search Report of the company for the following reasons:

  1. To know the status of the company.
  2. To know the status of their shares held in the company i.e., how many shares they are holding, on which date their shares were transferred, from whom the shares were transferred.
  3. To know the Directors of the company.
  4. To know the complete history as per ROC records since incorporation.

Question 18.
List the basic information which banks want to know with the help of Search and Status Report about the existing loans taken by the Company?
Answer:
The following basic information about the existing loans taken by the Company is given by the Company Secretary through such reports:

  1. The date of loan taken by the company and the charge created in such respect.
  2. The name and address of the charge holders.
  3. The type of charge i.e., whether joint charge or consortium charge.
  4. The amount of loan.
  5. The property charged/pledged against such loan.
  6. The terms and conditions of such loan i.e., rate of interest, terms of repayment, margin money and extent of operation.

Question 19.
Mr. Alexander before becoming director of Alpha Limited requires Search Report prepared by Professional. List the reasons for which Mr. Alexander need search report for the said purpose?
Answer:
Following are reasons for which Mr.Alexander requires Search report Prepared by Professional before becoming director of Alpha Limited:

  • To know the present directors of the company.
  • To know the assets and liabilities of the company.
  • To know the complete history as per ROC records since incorporation.

Question 20.
Write Short Note On: “Inspection of various documents maintained by the Company”.
Answer:
According to the scope of the Search report, the professional should go through the various documents required for the purpose of the report, some the documents which may require are as under:

  • Various clauses of Memorandum and Articles of Association.
  • Forms filed with the Registrar of Companies with receipts.
  • All statutory registers.
  • Report of Internal Auditor.
  • Copies of contracts made between the company and any of the related parties.
  • Transfer and Transmission of Share.
  • Instruments creating, modifying or satisfying charges.
  • Various Disclosures from Directors
  • Related Party Transactions.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
  • Directors and Key Managerial Personnel (KMP).

Question 21.
Mr. Aman want to cross verify the documents from MCA Records. List out the name of records which are required to be verified for the purpose of following:
(a) Date of Incorporation.
(b) Name of the Company.
(c) Corporate Identity Number.
(d) Address of Registered Office of the Company.
(e) Authorised Share Capital.
(f) Paid-up Share Capital.
(g) Name and Address of Present Directors (with their date of joining).
Answer:
As Mr. Aman want to cross verify the documents from MCA Records, following are name of records which are required to be verified for the following purpose:

Purpose of Verification Records to be verified for particular .
Date of Incorporation Certificate of Incorporation
Name of the Company Memorandum of Association Certificate of Incorporation or Fresh Certificate of Incorporation/ Change of Name.
Corporate Identity Number Certificate of Incorporation/Fresh Certificate upon change of name / Certificate of registration of NCLT Order for shifting registered office to another State.
Address of Registered Office of the Company. INC-22, MGT-14 Resolution(s) of Board/General Body, INC-28 with copy of NCLT Order.
Authorised Share Capital. Memorandum of Association, SH – 7, MGT-14
Paid-up Share Capital MGT-14, PAS-3, Register of Members, Annual Return.
Name and Address of Present Directors (with their date of joining) Articles of Association, DIR-12, Register of Directors.

Question 22.
Write Short Note on: “Procedure for Search Report under IPR Laws”.
Answer:
Following Procedure required to be followed for Search Report under IPR Laws:
1. Preparing checklist : The checklist should contain a list of information required to understand the company’s business and its existing protected and protectable IP rights

2. Segregating the IP assets relevant for the transaction from irrelevant ones This activity should be done as soon as the preliminary perusal of the target’s business assets is done. Also, at times, there could be associated and/or supplementary IP rights involved in addition to the main IP rights.

3. Analysing all documents carefully : This activity is important as it helps in analysing the nature of documents, whether they are registration documents or agreements in the nature of licensing and franchising agreements, consultancy agreements, technology transfer agreements, other contracts where IP clauses are included, like joint venture agreements, master services agreements, employment agreements, etc.

4. Verifying facts and confirm that the information is correct: This activity is important to verify the legality of documents. It is not prudent to merely rely on all details without cross-checking the same from other available sources, like, from public records of the IP Offices and Google database.

5. Analyzing protected and protectable IP rights: Analyzing protected and protectable IP rights requires Status check, validity check, ownership check, claim check and conflict check should be conducted in a proper manner.

6. Drafting of status and search report: The final report should contain all the observations in relation to IP rights that would be the part of the transaction, before the prospective buyer/investor.

Question 23.
List Five key areas to be analysed while preparing the Search and Status Report relating to IPR?
Answer:
Five key areas to be analysed while preparing the search and status report relating to IPR:

  • Key Area 1: What domestic and foreign patents (and patents pending) does the company have?
  • Key Area 2: Has the company taken appropriate steps to protect its intellectual property (including confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with current and former employees and consultants)?
  • Key Area 3: Are there any material exceptions from such assignments (rights preserved by employees and consultants)?
  • Key Area 4: What registered and common law trademarks and service marks does the company have?
  • Key Area 5: What copyrighted products and materials are used, con-trolled, or owned by the company?

Question 24.
Write Short Note on: “Ten attributes Included in Property Title Search”.
Answer:
Following ten attributes included in Property Title Search:

  • Ownership: Status of ownership (sole or joint) and the documents stating the same.
  • Deed Copy: Recent deeds in respect to the property.
  • Legal Description: Description of the property in legal parlance.
  • Chain documents: Previous owner of the property.
  • Possession: Actual Possession of the property.
  • Right of way: The Right of way given to the owner.
  • Leases: Leases on the property which can affect the property status.
  • Mortgage: Whether the property has been mortgaged or not?
  • Tax Payment: Details of tax payment in relation to the property.
  • Bankruptcy Search: Report of bankruptcy of the owner of the property.

Question 25.
List out the key documents to be analysed while preparing the search and status report relating to following transactions undertaken by Companies:
(a) Public Issue
(b) Takeovers
(c) Right Issues
(d) Debt Offer Document
(e) Buy-back.
(f) Mutual Funds
Answer:
The key documents to be analysed while preparing the search and status report relating to following transactions undertaken by Companies:

Transactions Documents to be Analysed
In case of Public Issue 1. Draft Offer Documents filed with SEBI.
2. Red Herring Documents filed with SEBI.
3. Final Offer Documents filed with SEBI.
In case of Take overs 1. Letter of Offer.
2. Formats as per SEBI (SAST) Regulations, 2011.
3. Other required Documents.
In case of Right Issues 1. Draft Letters of Offer filed with Securities and Exchange Board of India.
2. Final Letters of Offer filed with Stock Exchanges.
In case of Debt Offer Document 1. Draft filed with Stock Exchange.
2. Final filed with Registrar of Companies.
In case of Buy back 1. Tender Offers.
2. Open Market through Stock Exchanges.
In case of Mutual Funds 1. Draft document.
2. Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
3. Scheme Information Document (SID).
4. Key Information Memorandum (KIM).

Question 26.
List out the key documents to be analysed in case of following:
(a) InvIT Public Issue.
(b) InvIT Private Issue.
Answer:
Following key documents to be analysed in case of following:

Particulars Key Documents
(a) In case of InvIT Public Issue 1. Draft offer documents filed with SEBI.
2. Offer Documents filed with SEBI.
3. Final Offer Documents filed with SEBI.
(b) In case of InvIT Private Issue 1. Placement Memorandum filed with SEBI.
2. Final Placement Memorandum filed with

Question 27.
What steps taken by professional for preparation of Search and Status Report regarding Stock Exchanges?
Answer:
Following steps taken by professional for preparation of Search and Status Report regarding Stock Exchanges:

Preparing checklist: The checklist should contain list of information required to understand the company’s business, listing details, board meetings, results calendar, corporate actions, financial results, share-holding data, pledge data, scheme of arrangement etc.

Analysing all documents carefully : This activity is important as it helps to analyse the nature of documents which are available on public domain with respect to listing details, corporate actions, public notices, financial resultants, XBRL, sustainability reports, disclosures, offer document etc.

Verifying facts and confirm that the information is correct: This activity is important to verify the legality of documents or information.

Drafting of status and search report: The final report should contain all observations based on the information available, before the pros-pective buyer/investor. It should also contain all associated risks and liabilities along with strategies to deal with such issues which would help the prospective buyer/investor understand the pros and cons of the transaction.

Question 28.
List out ten Key documents to be analyzed for preparation of Search and Status Report on information/documents available on NSE and BSE Website.
Answer:
Ten Key documents to be analysed while preparing the search and status report on information /documents available on NSE and BSE website:

  • Corporate Announcements.
  • Corporate Actions.
  • Financial Results.
  • Board Meetings.
  • Shareholders Meetings.
  • Voting Results.
  • Results Calendar.
  • Shareholding Patterns.
  • Corporate Governance Report.
  • Offer Documents.

Secretarial Audit Compliance Management and Due Diligence ICSI Study Material

Insolvency Law – Multidisciplinary Case Studies Important Questions

Insolvency Law – Multidisciplinary Case Studies Important Questions

Insolvency Law – Multidisciplinary Case Studies Important Questions

Question 1.
The official Liquidator of Vasudha LTD. receives a notice for a trade creditor of the Company that the Tribunal has passed a decree in its favour, relating to the dues for services rendered to Vasudha LTD. and that the amount specified in the Tribunal decree should be paid first, prior to the clearing of dues of workmen. The same is opposed by the workmen. Advise the official Liquidator suitably; with reference to provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
According to Section 326 (Overriding preferential payments) of the Companies Act 2013, the dues of the workmen and the dues of the secured creditors are to be treated at same footing. Both these dues are to be discharged on priority over all other dues of the company.

Section 326 is overriding (means above) all other provisions and states clearly that workmen’s dues and debts due to secured creditors shall be paid in priority to all other debts. Hon’ble Supreme Court has also confirmed this in UCO Bank 1994 that provisions of Section 326 of the Companies Act, 2013 will override all other claims of the creditors.

Question 2.
Instable Fertilizers LTD. has been continuously incurring losses the company mortgaged its machinery to MR. BULLY one of its creditors on 1st September, 2009 relating to outstanding of ₹ 15 lakhs due to him. The other creditors of the company filed a petition for winding up the Company on 19th December, 2009. The company was ordered to be wound up on 30th April, 2010. Discuss whether the Official Liquidator can declare the transaction of mortgage with Mr. Bully as invalid.
Answer:
This relates to Section 328 of the Companies Act, 2013 (Fraudulent ) preference) of the Companies 2013. According to Section 531, a transaction will be treated as invalid if all the following conditions are satisfied:

  • Transaction relates the property of the company.
  • It occurred within 6 months before the start of winding-up of company.
  • There was no pressure relating to transaction.
  • The main motive was to give preference to one creditor over other, creditors.

When the Tribunal orders winding-up of company, the effective date of commencement of winding up is not the date of order of the Tribunal but the , date when the petition for winding up was presented to the Tribunal. Thus in the current case, the winding up will be deemed to have commenced on 19th December, 2009 on which other creditors filed the petition.

Let us examine the above conditions in the current case:

  • Transaction relates the property of the company. This is true as machinery was mortgaged which is property of the company.
  • It occurred within 6 months before the start of winding up of company. This is true because the date of transaction is 1st September, 2009 which is within 6 months from the date of winding up of company i.e. 19th December, 2009.
  • There was no pressure relating to transaction. This is true as the 1 transaction was a voluntary act of the company and there was no pressure on the company.
  • The main motive was to give preference to one creditor over other creditors. This is true as the company gave preference to Mr. Bully over other creditors.

Conclusion: The official liquidator can declare the mortgage of machinery to Mr. Bully as invalid and void.

Question 3.
At the time of winding up of SIMON HOTEL LTD. (SHL),a supplier of .company named MKG LTD., presents to the official liquidator, a Tribunal decree in their favour ordering payment of certain sum. The claim of MKG LTD. is that they should be paid in preference over the claims of the workmen for their dues. The same is not accepted by the workmen. Examine the validity of the rival claims in the light of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
Preferential dues during winding up proceedings:
The situation given in the question is covered by the provisions of Section 326 (Overriding Preferential Payments) of Companies Act, 2013. The ‘effect of combined reading of these sections is that the workmen of the company become secured creditors by operation of law to the extent of the workmen’s dues and are entitled to proportional payment along with other, secured creditors.

If there is no secured creditor, in such an event, to the extent of workmen’s dues, the workmen of the company become unsecured preferential creditors under Section 326 the object of Section 326 is to ensure that the:

  • Workmen should not be deprived of their legitimate claims in the event of the liquidation of the company.
  • The assets of the company would remain charged for the payment of workmen’s dues, and
  • Such charge will be pari passu (means in proportion, proportionally) with the charge of other secured creditors.

There is no other statutory provision overriding the claim of the secured creditors except the said Section 326. Thus, the law is very much clear in this respect and the Honble Supreme Court of India held in the case of UCO Bank [(1994) 81 Comp. Case 780] that the provisions of Section 326 of the Companies Act, 2013 will override all other claims of the creditors even where a decree has been passed by a Tribunal.

In view of the above stated legal position, the contention of the-workmen of SUMON HOTEL LTD. is valid and the Official Liquidator will have to pay their dues as provided in Section 326 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Question 4.
Rose Garden Ltd. was incurring continuous losses and its financial position went bad to worse. Black Stone (Private) Ltd., a trade creditor, issued notice under Section 271 of the Companies Act, 2013 for winding up of Rose Garden Ltd. on the ground that Rose Garden Ltd. was unable to pay its debts. After some time, Black Stone (Private) Ltd. being an operational creditor filed a petition before the Adjudicating Authority to initiate insolvency process under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. Demand Notice and copy of invoice were not served to Rose Garden Ltd.

since a notice was earlier issued for winding up. All other formalities were complied with. The Adjudicating Authority initiated Insolvency Resolution Process by admitting the application and appointed Resolution Professional. After complying required formalities, the Adjudicating Authority issued orders for moratorium and other relief within the stipulated time. Being aggrieved by the order of Adjudicating Authority, Rose Garden Ltd. (Corporate debtor) filed an appeal before NCLAT under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. Determine will the Company succeed in its appeal?
Answer:
1. After the commencement of corporate insolvency resolution a claim period for 180 days is declared, during which all suits and legal proceedings etc. against the Corporate Debtor are held in abeyance to give time to the entity to resolve its status. It is called Moratorium Period [Section 14].

2. So as per Sec. 14 of the code, all the proceeding by the corporate debtor shall be keep in abeyance.

3. In this case, adjudicating authority issued an order for moratorium. So as ‘ moratorium period is started no proceeding can be initiated by the Corporate Debtor. So here, Rose Garden Ltd. wants to file an appeal before NCLAT. Since, moratorium period is already started so Corporate Debtor will not succeed in its appeal.

Question 5.
As on March 31,2018, the audited balance sheet of M/s Sharp Industries Limited, revealed total assets of ₹ 1 Crore. M/s Sharp Industries Limited, in the capacity of a Corporate Debtor, filed an application on July 1, 2018 with the Adjudicating Authority for initiating a fast track corporate insolvency resolution process. Explain under the provisions of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 the following :
(i) Whether the application made by M/s Sharp Industries Ltd. for initiating a fast track corporate insolvency resolution process is admissible?
(ii) The time period including the extension of time period, if any, within which the fast track corporate insolvency resolution process shall be completed?
Answer:
1. The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 provides that any corporate debtor with the assets and income below a level as may be notified by the Central Government can make application for conducting fast track insolvency resolution process. In this regard, Notification issued by Central Government vide Notification No. 5.a 1911 (E) dated 14th June, 2017 provides that an unlisted public company with the total assets as reported in financial statements of the immediately preceding financial year, not exceeding rupees one crore can apply for fast track insolvency resolution process.

(i) Here, M/s. Sharp Industries Ltd. having total assets of ₹ 1 crore have applied for conducting fast track insolvency resolution process. So, in light of above provisions and notification M/s. Sharp , Industries Ltd. can apply for corporate insolvency resolution process.

(ii) The fast track insolvency resolution process shall be completed within a period of ninety days from the insolvency commencement date. However, adjudicating Authority may extend time period for fast track corporate insolvency resolution process. The aggrieved may make an application to the Adjudicating Authority and it is satisfied that the fast track corporate insolvency process cannot be compelled within a period of ninety days, it may, by order; extend the duration of such process to a further period which shall not be exceeding forty-five days.

The extension of the fast track corporate insolvency resolution process under this Section shall not be granted more than once.

Question 6.
XY Ltd. filed a petition under Insolvency and Bankruptcy ; Code, 2016 with NCLT against DF Ltd. (Corporate Debtor) and the petition was admitted. There were only three financial creditors including XY Ltd. During the Corporate Insolvency Resolution process, the Corporate Debtor settled the claims of all the 3 financial creditors. Whether such settlement agreement could be termed as a valid resolution plan? Also discuss whether a financial creditor in respect of whom there is no default can file an, application before Adjudicating Authority (NCLT) for initiating corporate insolvency resolution process. Discuss.
Answer:
1. As per Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, where any petition was admitted. The corporate debtor shall not required to make any settlement at its own. The resolution process as initiated by NCLT shall be followed. So, settlement agreement as initiated by XY Ltd. a corporate debtor at its own after admission of petition is not valid.

2. As per Section 59 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, a corporate person who intends to liquidate itself voluntarily and has not committed any default may initiate voluntary liquidation proceedings under the provisions of this Chapter V of Part II of the code.

Question 7.
Continental Rubber Limited is a supplier of raw materials to Smooth Latex Limited. It filed a petition before the NCLT for the recovery of ₹ 10,00,000 from Smooth Latex Limited. Smooth Latex Limited, the Corporate Debtor, has other financial creditors to the extent of ₹ 1,50,00,000 and they also joined together and filed petitions to NCLT. The Corporate Debtor has a total of 40 financial creditors and 2 operational creditors. Further, all the financial creditors are having equal voting rights/shares.

Notice was issued on 151 August, 2018 for the conduct of the first meeting to be held on 5th August, 2018 at a common venue. The meeting was attended by all 40 financial creditors and 2 operational creditors.

A resolution was passed to appoint Mr. TK as a Resolution Professional. 25 of the financial creditors voted in favour of the resolution and 10 voted against the resolution and 5 financial creditors and 2 operational creditors abstained from voting. Decide whether the resolution passed is valid? In the light of the provisions of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 read with rules framed thereunder, explain the requirements of issue of notice and quorum for the conduct of the meeting.
Answer:
As per provisions of Insolvancy and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 a meeting of creditors shall quorate if members of the committee of creditors representing at least 33% of Voting rights are present either in person or by audio video means.
Resolution passed in the meeting of committee of creditors shall be approved by a majority of not less than 75%.
Here, Total No. of Creditors = 42
Creditors Present = 42
So, required quorum is present.
Majority required for resolution = 21
Voted Creditors in favor = 25
So, required majority is present
So, resolution in the meeting of committee of creditors is validly passed. Notice of the meeting of committee of creditors shall be required to be sent to following persons.
(a) Members of Committee of Creditors.
(b) Members of the Suspended Board of Directors or the partners of the corporate persons, as the case maybe,
(c) Operational Creditors or their representatives if the amount of their aggregate dues is not less than 10% of debt.

Question 8.
A multiproduct company catering to applications in diverse sectors had borrowed from various financial institutions including Kundan Bank Ltd. A corporate debt restructure plan (CDR) was framed between 19 lenders and the company in 2014 and a master restructuring agreement (MRA) was made by which funds were to be infused by the creditors and certain obligations were to be met by the debtors. The aforesaid restructuring plan was implementabie over a period of 2 years. On 07-12-2016 Kundan Bank Ltd.

made an application in which it was stated that the company being a defaulter within the meaning of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016, the insolvency resolution process ought to be set in motion. To this application, a reply was filed by means of an interim application on behalf of the company by the erstwhile Directors. It was claimed that there was no debt legally due in as much as vide two notifications issued under the Maharashtra Relief Undertakings (Special Provision Act), 1958 (hereinafter referred to as the Maharashtra Act), all liabilities of the appellant and remedies for enforcement thereof were temporarily suspended for a period up to 18-07-2017.

The company made a second application on 16-1-2017. It pleaded that owing to non-release of funds under the MRA, it was unable to pay back its debts. Will the company succeed in its contentions? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Answer:
On a bare reading of the judgement of Innovative Industries Ltd. Vs /C/C/ Bank & another, it seems that the case involved more adjudication on grounds related to Constitutional Law than on the Code. This case related to the first-ever application filed for initiating insolvency proceedings under the new Code. The Court was cognizant of the fact and hence wanted to settle the law so that all ‘Courts and Tribunals take notice of the paradigm shift in the Law’.

The case involved contradictory provisions in the Code and a State law of State of Maharashtra, Maharashtra Relief Undertakings (Special Provisions) Act, 1958. This state law provided for overtaking of industries by the state by declaring therr. ‘relief undertakings’. Such overtaking can be done through government notifications to that effect under the Act. This is done to protect employment of the people who are working in such an undertaking.

The Code instead provides for overtaking of an undertaking’s business by an ‘Insolvency Professional’ through a committee of creditors. In the instant case, insolvency application was filed against Innoventive Industries Ltd. which later claimed to be a relief undertaking under the Maharashtra Act. This brought the two legislation on a collision course, for the simple reason that enforcement of one will hinder the enforcement of the other.

Supreme Court dealt with the constitutional law doctrine of repugnancy. This doctrine stems from the operation of Article 254 of the Constitution. As per this doctrine, whenever central and state laws are framed on the same subject and are contradictory to each other, it is the central law which prevails and the state law is rendered void.

A plain reading of Article 254 gives an impression that if both central and state governments frame laws on a same entry under the concurrent list, only then the Central law will prevail. In the instant case, however, the laws even though coming in conflict with each other, were framed under different entries of the concurrent list. This involved an adjudication by the Supreme Court on this point. The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) had ruled that Innoventive Industries Ltd. can’t claim any relief under Maharashtra Act.

It also decided that there is no repugnancy between the two laws, as they operate in different fields. The appeal to the Supreme Court, hence involved two major questions. One was. whether the petitioner can seek relief under the Maharashtra Act at the cost of the Code. The second was, whether both the laws are repugnant to each other.

Invoking a lot of international cases, especially of the Commonwealth countries and previous Judgments of the Supreme Court, the bench ruled that there is indeed repugnancy between the two laws. The court held that even if the two legislations are framed on different entries of the concurrent list, the Central law will always prevail if it comes in conflict with the State law. The State law, therefore was held inoperable to the extent that it was in contradiction to the Code.

The court delved into great detail of the provisions of the Code and held it to be intended as an ‘exhaustive legislation by the Parliament, to cover the whole field of its operation. In such instances involving an exhaustive law. even though the State law may not be in strict violation of the code, it will even then be rendered inoperative to give way to implement the exhaustive law on the point.

Question 9.
(a) Alkaline Private Limited is a chemical manufacturing company, which had availed many bank loans and other facilities to fund its operations. The company has not been able to repay the loan and interests thereon to the banks due to its dwindling sales and other cost/labor issues. Over a period, as the company was not repaying its loans, its account was classified as Non-Performing Asset (NPA) by the banks.

Various negotiations with the banks did not materialize and the banks-initiated proceedings under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) against the company. The Company is of the view that IBC does not have constitutional validity and accordingly, it appealed in court of law. Will the Company succeed?
Answer:
The present case is similar to the case of the Swiss Ribbons Pvt. Ltd. v. Union of India [SC] Writ Petition (Civil) No. 99 of 2018 [Decided on 25/01/2019], In Swiss Ribbons Pvt. Ltd. case the Supreme Court observed that ‘the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (the Code) is a legislation which deals with economic matters and, in the larger sense, deals with the economy of the country. Earlier experiments, as we have seen, in terms of legislations having failed, ultimately led to the enactment of the Code.

The experiment contained in the Code, judged by the generality of its provisions and not by so-called crudities and inequities that have been pointed out by the petitioners, passes constitutional muster. To stay experimentation in things economic is a grave responsibility, and denial of the right to experiment is fraught with serious consequences to the nation.

We have also seen that the working of the Code is being monitored by the Central Government through Expert Committees that have been set-up in this behalf. Amendments have been made in the short period in which the Code has operated, both to the Code itself as well as to subordinate legislation made under it. This process is an ongoing process which involves all stakeholders, including the petitioners.

In the working of the Code, the flow of financial resource to the commercial sector in India has increased exponentially as a result of financial debts being repaid. Approximately 3300 cases have been disposed of by the Adjudicating Authority based on out-of-court settlements between corporate debtors and creditors which themselves involved claims amounting to over INR 1,20,390 crores.

Eighty cases have since been resolved by resolution plans being accepted. Of these eighty cases, the liquidation value of sixty- three such cases is INR 29,788.07 crores. However, the amount realized from the resolution process is in the region of INR 60,000 crores, which is over 202% of the liquidation value. This shows that the experiment conducted in enacting the Code is proving to be largely successful. The defaulter’s paradise is lost. In its place, the economy’s rightful position has been regained.’

Based on the above ruling of the Apex Court, it can be concluded in the given case that the constitutional validity of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 cannot be challenged.

Hence, the company will not succeed.

Question 10.
A Kerala based company had a cement unit in Salem in the State of Tamil Nadu. Unit became Sick and the Company was not in position to pay wages to its labours. The workers approached Labour Court. Labour Court passed an award in favour of workers. In the meantime, a lender in Kerala attached Company’s properties and sold in public auction. Workers filed writ before Kerala High Court seeking deposit of 50% of their dues by the lender. Single Judge overruled the jurisdiction issue in favour of workers. Lenders preferred an appeal before Division Bench and the same was allowed by the Bench.
Aggrieved by the decision, workers appealed before Supreme Court. Will they succeed?
Answer:
The present problem is similar to the case of Cement Workers Mandal v. Global Cements Ltd. (HMP Cements Ltd) & Ors [SC] Civil Appeal No.5360 of 2010. The short question, which arises for consideration in this appeal, is whether the Division Bench was justified in holding that the Special Civil Appeal (SCA) filed by the appellant was not maintainable for want of territorial jurisdiction of the High Court.

The Supreme Court held that the Division Bench erred in not noticing Article 226(2) of the Constitution of India while deciding the question arising in this case. In other words, the question as to whether the High Court has territorial jurisdiction to entertain the appellants petition (SCA) or not, should have been decided keeping in view the provisions of Article 226(2) of the Constitution read with Section 20 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (for short, “CPC”).

Article 226(2) of the Constitution further empowers a High Court to issue any order, directions or writ as provided in clause (1) of Article 226 of the Constitution in such writ petition notwithstanding that seat of such Government or the Authority or the residence of such person against whom the writ petition is filed does not fall within the territories of the “A” High Court but falls in the territories of the “B” High Court.

In the light of these three reasons, we are of the view that the part of the cause of action as contemplated in Article 226 (2) of the Constitution has arisen within the territorial jurisdiction of the High Court for filing the petition (SCA) to claim appropriate reliefs in relation to such dispute against respondent No. 1 Company.

In our considered opinion, the expression “the cause of action, wholly or in part, arises” occurring in Article 226(2) of the Constitution has to be read in the context of Section 20(c) of CPC which deals with filing of the suit within the local limits of the jurisdiction of the Civil Courts.

In the light of the foregoing discussion, we are of the view that the appellants petition (SCA) was maintainable in the High Court in as much as the part of the cause of action to file such petition did accrue to the appellant herein (petitioner) within the territorial jurisdiction of the Gujarat High Court. In these circumstances, the SCA was required to be decided on merits by the Gujarat High Court.

In view of the foregoing, the appeal will succeed in the given case.

Multidisciplinary Case Studies CS Professional Notes

General Principles of Drafting and Relevant Substantive Rules – Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances Important Questions

General Principles of Drafting and Relevant Substantive Rules – Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances Important Questions

General Principles of Drafting and Relevant Substantive Rules – Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances Important Questions

Question 1.
Explain the following statement; Drafting is the synthesis of law and fact in a language form.
Answer:
According to Stanley Robinson, drafting is a synthesis of the following three characteristics which rank equally in importance:

  1. Fact
  2. Law
  3. Language

Legal drafting is a crystallization and expression in definitive form of a legal right, privilege, function, duty, or status. For example statutes, regulations, ordinances, agreements, contracts, deeds, conveyances, indentures, trusts etc.

Following are the Pre-requisite of drafting:
Skills of a draftsman
Knowledge of facts and law

The aforesaid prerequisites enables a draftsman to put facts in a systematized sequence to give a correct presentation in a self-contained and self-explanatory form without any ambiguity or doubt about legal status, privileges, rights and duties of the parties, terms and conditions, breaches and remedies.

Drafting requires serious thinking followed by prompt action to reduce the available information into writing with a legal meaning. The process of drafting operates in two planes; the conceptual and the verbal. Therefore, a nexus between fact, law and language is absolutely necessary.
General Principles of Drafting and Relevant Substantive Rules 1
Thus, the statement is correct and act as an essence of the process of drafting.

Question 2.
Conveyance is an act of transfer of any property.
Answer:
Conveyancing is an art of drafting deeds and documents whereby | any right, title or interest in a property is transferred from one person to l another. Thus, conveyance is an act of conveyancing or transferring any property whether movable or immovable from one person to another permitted by customs, conventions and law within the legal structure of the country. “Conveyance includes mortgage, charge, lease etc”.
Mitra’s legal and commercial dictionary defines “conveyance” as the action of conveyancing, a means or way of conveyancing, an instrument by which title to property is transferred, a means of transport, vehicle.

According to Section 5 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 Transfer of property means an act by which a living person conveys property, in present or in future, to one or more other living persons, or to himself and one or more other living persons and to transfer property is to perform such act.

According to Section 2(10) of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 Conveyance includes a conveyance on sale and every instrument by which property, whether movable or immovable, is transferred and which is not otherwise specifically provided by Schedule I of the Act.

Question 3.
Why is the knowledge about the rules of drafting of pleadings and conveyancing important in corporate affairs? Illustrate.
Answer:
The knowledge about drafting and conveyancing is important for the corporate executives for:

  • Obtaining legal consultations: Better interaction could be had by the corporate executives while seeking legal advice from the legal experts, to decide upon the coverage and laying down rights and obligations of the parties therein.
  • Carrying out documentation departmentally: An executive can make a better document with all facts known and judging the relevance and importance of all aspects to be covered therein.
  • Interpretation of the documents: In India, in the absence of any legislation on conveyancing, it becomes imperative to have knowledge about the important rules of law of interpretation so as to put right language in the documents, give appropriate meaning to the words j and phrases used therein, and incorporate the will and intention of j the parties to the documents.

Therefore, knowledge in advance on the subject matter facilitates better communication, extraction of more information, arriving on workable solutions, and facilitates settlement of the draft documents, engrossment and execution thereof.

Question 4.
Comment on the following statement; Drafting and conveyancing have the same meaning though these are not interchangeable.
Answer:
The terms; drafting and conveyancing are not interchangeable as following are the difference between drafting and conveyancing:

Drafting Conveyance
1. Drafting is defined as the synthesis of law and fact in a language form. 1. As per section 2(10) of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, Conveyance includes a conveyance on sale and every instrument by which property, whether movable or immovable, is transferred inter vivos and which is not otherwise specifically provided by Schedule I of the Act.
2. Legal drafting is a crystallization of expression in definitive form of a legal right, privilege, function, duty, or status. 2. Conveyancing is an art of drafting deeds and documents whereby any right, ‘title or interest in a property is transferred from one person to another.
3. Concept of drafting is wider than the concept of conveyancing. 3. Concept of conveyancing is narrower than that of drafting.
4. Drafting gives a general meaning synonymous to preparation of drafting of documents. It relates to every document, every deed, every statute etc. 4. Conveyancing gives more stress on documentation concerned with the transfer of property from one person to another.
5. For instance: Arbitration Agreement, Service Agreement, Receipt etc. 5. For instance: Sale deed, mortgage deed, gift deed etc.

Question 5.
Distinguish between the following; Conveyance and contract.
Answer:
Following are the differences between contract and conveyancing:

Contract Conveyance
1. Section 2(h) of Indian Contract Act, 1872 defines Contract as an agreement enforceable by law. As per section 2(10) of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, Conveyance includes a conveyance on sale and every instrument by which property, whether movable or immovable, is transferred inter vivos and which is not otherwise specifically provided by Schedule I of the Act.
2. Contract consists of a reciprocal promise and each party to the contract is bound to perform the promise. There is no such promise stipulated in a conveyance deed.
3. Contract is governed by the provisions of Indian Contract Act, 1872. Cases of conveyance of immovable property are governed by the provisions of Transfer of Property Act, 1882.
4. Contract executed is yet to be performed. Upon the execution of a conveyance deed, a right, title or interest in the property is passed on to another.
5. A contract creates a right of action in favour of the parties. No such right is created, however, ownership is altered.

Question 6.
Explain Fowler’s five rules of drafting.
Answer:
According to Fowler, anyone who wishes to become a good writer should endeavour, before he allows himself to be tempted by more showy qualities, to be direct, simple, brief, vigorous and lucid.

Following are the Fowlers’ five rules of drafting:-

  1. Prefer the familiar word to the far fetched (familiar words are readily understood).
  2. Prefer the concrete word to the abstract (concrete words make mean¬ing more clear and precise).
  3. c. Prefer the single word to the circumlocution (single word gives direct meaning avoiding adverb and adjective).
  4. d. Prefer the short word to the long (short word is easily grasped).
  5. e. Prefer the Saxon word to the Roman as use of Roman words may create complications to convey proper sense to an ordinary person to understand.

Question 7.
Write notes on the following; Expert’s opinion.
Answer:
Drafting of legal documents is a skilled job. The duty of a draftsman is to express the intention of the parties clearly and concisely in technical language. In the commercial world, it is a common practice to get the | opinions of experts in order to ensure that deeds and documents are f clear, definite unambiguous and no material facts are left out.

Expert opinion comes from the professional who has acquired knowledge and skills through study and practices over the years, in a particular field or subject, to the extent that his or her opinion may be helpful in fact-finding, problem-solving, or understanding of a situation.

If the draft document has been prepared for the first time to be used again and again with suitable modification depending upon the requirements of each case it should be vetted by the experts to ensure its suitability and legal fitness if the corporate executive feels it so necessary.

Question 8.
Explain the following; Legality of a written deed for performing a promise in near future.
Answer:
A deed may be defined as a formal writing of a non-testamentary character which purports or operates to create, declare, confirm, as sign, limit or extinguish some right, title, or interest. For Instance: Gift Deed, Sale Deed, Deed of Partition, Partnership Deed etc.

According to Norten, a deed is a writing:

  • On paper, vellum or parchment
  • Sealed and
  • Delivered whereby an interest, right or property passes, or an obligation binding on some persons is created or which is in affirmance of some act whereby an interest, right or property has been passed.

A deed is a present grant rather than a mere promise to be performed in the future. Deeds are in writing, signed, sealed and delivered.

It comprises of all the essentials of a valid contract provided under section 10 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
Therefore written deeds for performing a promise in near future are enforceable in the court of law.

Question 9.
What do you mean by:
i. Inclusive deed
ii. Latent deed
iii. Pretended deed
iv. Voluntary deed
v. Warranty deed
Answer:
Meaning of given terms as follows:

Types Meaning
i. Inclusive Deed Inclusive deed is one which contains within the designated boundaries lands which are expected from the operation of the deed.
ii. Latent Deed Latent deed is a deed kept for twenty years or more in man’s escritoire or strongbox.
iii. Pretended Deed Pretended deed is a deed apparently or prima facie valid.
Types Meaning
IV. Voluntary Deed Voluntary deed is one given without any “valuable consideration”, as that term is defined by law, one founded merely on a “good”, as distinguished from a “valuable”, consideration on motives of generosity and affection, rather than a benefit received by the donor, or, detriment, trouble or prejudice to the grantee.
Vi. Warranty Deed Warranty deed is a deed containing a covenant of warranty.

Question 10.
Explain the following:
i. Deed pool
ii. Deed poll
iii. Indenture
iv. Cyrographum
v. Deed escrow
Answer:
Explanation of the following terms as discussed below:

Term Meaning
i.Deed Pool A deed between two or more parties whereas many copies are made as there are parties, so that each party may be in a possession of a copy. This arrangement is known as “deed pool”. Example: Sale Deed, Lease Deed, Mortgage Deed etc.
ii. Deed Poll
  • A deed made and executed by a single party is called a “deed poll”.
  • It is generally used for the purpose of granting powers of attorney and for exercising powers of appointment or setting out an arbitrator’s award. It is drawn in first person usually.

Example: Power of Attorney, Letter of Appointment, etc.

iii. Indenture
  • “Indentures” are those deeds in which there are two or more parties.
  • It was written in duplicate upon one piece of parchment and two parts were severed so as to leave an indented or vary edge, forging being then rendered very difficult.
  • Indentures were so-called as at one time they are indented or cut with uneven edge at the top.

Example: Gift deed.

iv. Cyrographum
  • The word “Cyrographum” was written between two or more copies of the document and the parchment was cut in a jugged line through this word.
  • The idea was that the difficulty of so cutting another piece of parchment that it would fit exactly into this cutting and writing constituted a safeguard against the fraudulent substitution of a different writing for one of the parts of the original.

Example: Sale Deed, Mortgage Deed, Lease Deed.

v. Deed Escrow
  • A deed signed by one party will be delivered to another as an “escrow”.
  • Explanation: “Escrow” means a simple writing not to become the deed of the expressed to be bound thereby until some condition should have been performed.
  • It is not a perfect deed as it contains a limitation or a condition on the delivery.
  • It is only a mere writing unless signed by all the parties and dated when the last party signs it.

The deed operates from the date it is last signed.

  • Question 11.
    Distinguish between the following; Indentuffe and Deed escrow.
    Answer:
    Following are the differences between indenture and deed escrow:
    Indenture:
  • Indentures are those deeds in which there are two or more parties.
  • Indentures were in written form, in duplicate upon one piece of parchment and two parts severed so as to leave an indented or vary edge, forging being then rendered very difficult.
  • Indentures were in self-styled form so as at one time they are indented or cut with uneven edge at the top.
  • In olden times, the practice was to make as many copies or parts as they were called, of the instruments as they were parties to it, which parts taken together formed the deed and to engross all of them of the same skin of parchment.

Example: Gift Deed.

Deed Escrow:

  • A deed signed by one party will be delivered to another as an “escrow”.
    (Explanation: “Escrow” means a simple writing not to become the deed of the expressed to be bound thereby until some condition should have j been performed).
  • Deed Escrow is not a perfect deed as it contains a limitation or a condition on the delivery.
  • Deed Escrow is mere writing (scriptum) unless signed by all the parties and dated when the last party signs it.
    The deed operates from the date it is last sign.
  • Question 12.
    “All instruments are legal documents but all legal documents are not instruments”. Critically evaluate with reference to leading cases.
    OR
    Distinguish between legal document and Instrument.
    Answer:
    Instrument:
    According to Section 2(14) of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, instrument includes every document by which any right or liability is, or purports to be, created, transferred, modified, limited, extended, suspended, extinguished or recorded.
    Following are some judicial precedents on instruments:-
  • Mohan Chowdhary v. Chief Commissioner AIR 1964 SC 173
    “Instrument includes an order made by the President in the exercise of his constitutional powers”
  • Purshottam v. Potdar AIR 1996 SC 856 “Instrument includes awards made by Industrial Courts”
  • V.P. Sugar Works v. C.I. of Stamps U.P. AIR 1968 SC 102:
    “Instrument does not include Acts of Parliament unless there is a stat¬utory definition to that effect in any Act.”
  • Bishun v. Suraj Mukhi AIR 1966 All. 563 “A will is an instrument.”
  • Savitribai v. Radhakishna AIR 1948 Nag. 49 “The word “instrument” in Section 1 of the Interest Act is wide enough to cover a decree. ”

Document
On the other hand, Section 3 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, defines j “document” as any matter expresses or described upon any substance j by means of letter, figures or marks, or more than one of these means, j intended to be used or which may be used for purposes of recording that I matter. Examples: Writings, prints, maps, etc.

Also, according to Section 3( 18) of General Clauses Act, 1894, “Document” means any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks, or by the more than one of those means, intended to be used, or which may be used, for the purpose of recording that matter.

For Example, A writing, words printed, lithographed or photographed, a map or plan, an inscription on a metal plate or stone, a caricature is a document.

Therefore, all instruments are legal documents but all legal documents are not instruments as they may not always create, transfer, modify, limit, extend, suspend, extinguish or record a right or liability.

Question 13.
The date of the execution of a deed is material for the purpose of limitation and registration of the document. If the date is accidentally f missing in the deed, how do you, as a company secretary, will deal with ! such a situation? Refer the relevant law on the point.
Answer:
The date of deed is the date on which parties sign or execute it. If several parties to a deed sign the deed on different dates, in such cases, the practice is to regard the last of such dates as the date of deed.
The date comes immediately after the description of the deed. In order to avoid risk of forgery, the date should be written in both words and figures.

For Example: “This Deed of Gift made on the 3rd day of July 2020”. The relevant law on the given point are discussed as follows:

  • Applicability of law of limitation: It is the date of execution which is material in a document for the purpose of application of law of limitation i.e. beginning and maturity of period.
  • Registration Act: According to Section 23 of Registration Act, a deed must be presented for registration within 4 months of its execution therefore date of execution becomes importance.
  • Undated: A deed is perfectly valid if it is undated or the date given is an impossible one, e.g. 30th day of February.
  • Remedy: If no date is given oral evidence will always be admissible to prove the date of execution-only it leaves necessary to prove it. However, it is of great importance to know the date from which a particular deed operates.

Question 14.
Distinguish between the following; drafting and documentation.
Answer:
Following are the differences between drafting and documentation:-
Drafting
According to Stanley Robinson, drafting is a synthesis of the following three characteristics which rank equally in importance:

  • Fact
  • Law
  • Language

Legal drafting is a crystallization and expression in definitive form of a legal right, privilege, function, duty, or status. E.g. statutes, regulations, ordinances, agreements, contracts, deeds, conveyances, indentures, trusts etc.

Following are the Pre-requisite of drafting:-

  • Skills of a draftsman
  • Knowledge of facts and law

Drafting requires serious thinking followed by prompt action to reduce – the available information into writing with a legal meaning.

The process of drafting operates in two planes;

  1. Conceptual and
  2. Verbal.

Drafting may cover all types of documents in business usage. Drafting, in legal sense, means an act of preparing the legal documents like j agreements, contracts, deeds etc.

Document:
According to Section 3(18) of General Clauses Act, 1894, document means any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks, or by combination of one of those means to be used for the purpose of recording that matter.

Also, according to Section 3(18) of General Clauses Act, 1894, “Document” means any matter expressed or described upon any substance by means of letters, figures or marks, or by the more than one of those means, intended to be used, or which may be used, for the purpose of recording that matter. E.g. A writing, Words printed, lithographed or photographed, a map or plan, an inscription on a metal plate or stone, a caricature is a document.

  • Documentation refers to the activity which symbolizes preparation of documents including finalisation and execution thereof.
  • Documentation is a set of documents provided on paper, or online, or on digital or analog media, such as audio tape or CDs.
  • Proper documentation provides evidence of what has transpired as well as provides information for researching discrepancies. Supporting documentation may come in paper or electronic form.

Question 15.
Drafting of legal documents is a skilled job requiring observance of many do’s and don’ts.
OR
Comment on the following; Things that should be avoided while drafting a document.
Answer:
Following are the do’s and don’ts to be kept in mind while drafting legal documents:-

Some Do’s Some Dont’s
1. Reduce the group of words to single word. 1. Avoid the use of words of same sound. For example, the words “Employer” and “Employee”.
2. Use simple verb for a group of words. 2. When the clause in the document is numbered it is convenient to refer to anyone clause by using single number for it. For example, “in clause 2 above” and so on.
3. Avoid round-about construction. 3. Negative in successive phrases would be very carefully employed.
4. Avoid unnecessary repetition. 4. Draftsman should avoid the use of words “less than” or “more than”, instead, he must use “not exceeding”.
5. Write shorter sentences. 5. If the draftsman has provided for each of the two positions to happen without each other and also happen without, either will not be sufficient; he should write either or both or express the meaning of the two in other clauses.
6. Express the ideas in fewer words. 6. In writing and typing, the following mistakes always occur which should be avoided:
“And and ‘or;
Any and my;
“Know’ and now;
“Appointed” and ‘Applied”;
“Present” and ‘Past” tense.
7. Prefer the active to the passive voice sentences.
8. Choose the right word.
9. Know exactly the meaning of the words and sentences you are writing.
10. Put yourself in the place of reader, read the document and satisfy yourself about the content, interpretation and the sense it carries.

Question 16.
“Drafting of documents is a very important part of legal documentation”. Documents are subject to interpretation when no clear meaning could be inferred by a simple reading of documents.
OR
In India, there is no law on conveyancing or interpretation of documents. Explain how disputed ambiguous formal deeds can be judicially decided j then?
OR
Comment on the following statements; Rules of Interpretation.
Answer:
Interpretation is the process of ascertaining the true meaning of the words used in a statute.
To adjudicate disputes where the agreement is formal and written, the following rules of the interpretation may be applied:-
i. Deed: Deed constitutes a primary evidence of the terms of a contract, The law forbids any contradiction of or any addition, subtraction or j variation in a written document. (Section 91 of the Evidence Act).

ii Uncertainty: Section 92 of the Evidence Act enables the court to examine the facts and surrounding circumstances. It also permits evidence of any separate oral agreement on which the document is silent and which is not inconsistent with its terms.

iii Words and Intentions: Clear and unambiguous words prevail over any hypothetical considerations or supposed intention.
iv. Intention: Surrounding circumstances can be seen for ascertaining the intention of the parties.

v. Preliminary and final contract: If a contract is completed in two parts and any difference between the preliminary contract and final contract arises, the terms of the latter must prevail.

vi. Earlier clause vs. Latter clause: If in a deed later clause destroys the obligation created by the earlier clause, the latter clause is to be rejected and the earlier clause prevails.

vii. Interpretation of words: The court must interpret the words in their popular, natural and ordinary sense, subject to following exceptions:-

  • If contract affords an interpretation different from the ordinary meaning of the words.
  • Where the conventional meanings are not the same with their legal sense.

vii. Hardship: Hardship to either party is not an element to be considered unless it amounts to a degree of inconvenience or absurdity to such an extent that the Courts are compelled to think that such could not be the meaning of the parties.

ix. Liberal construction: The words must be understood in their natural and ordinary meaning.

x. Leave alone no clause: Every part of the document should be given a meaning. (Note: The given list of rules is inclusive, not exclusive)

Question 17.
Define deed. Write note on the components of deed.
Answer:
Definition of Deed:
A deed may be defined as a formal writing of a non-testamentary character which purports or operates to create, declare, confirm, assign, limit or extinguish some right, title, or interest.

According to Norten, a deed is a writing on paper, vallum or parchment which means thin layer made of skin of animal, sealed and delivered whereby an interest, right or property passes, or an obligation binding on some persons is created or which is in affirmance of some act whereby an interest, right or property has been passed. Example: Gift Deed, Sale Deed, Deed of Partition, Lease Deed, Mortgage Deed, a power of Attorney, Bond etc.

  • A deed is a present grant rather than a mere promise to be performed in the future.
  • Deeds are in writing, signed, sealed and delivered.

Components Of A Deed: The below-mentioned are list of components:

1. Description of the Deed Title. 2. Place and Date of execution of a Deed. 3. Recitals.
4. Description of property. 5. Description of Parties to the Deed. 6. Testatum.
7. Parcel. 8. Exceptions and reservations. 9. Consideration.
10. Covenants and Undertakings. 11. Premises and Habendum. 12. Receipt clause.
13. Signature and Attestation. 14. Endorsements and Supplemental Deeds. 15. Operative clause.
16. Testimonium Clause. 17. Annexures or Schedules.

Question 18.
Explain Haben dum. What does a haben dum clause signify in a document?
Answer:
Following are key points on haben dum:

  • Habendum in a deed states an interest which the purchaser intends to take in a property. Habendum clause starts with the words “THE HAVE AND TO HOLD”.
  • In England, if there was a gratuitous transfer, the transferee was not deemed to be the owner of the beneficial estate in the property. It was, therefore, necessary to indicate in the deed the interests transferred. Now it is not necessary to express it as the expression “TO HAVE AND” are omitted.
  • Habendum limits the estate mentioned in the parcels. The transferee is mentioned again in the haben dum for whose use the estate is conveyed. If the property conveyed is encumbered, it should be made in the haben dum.

Question 19.
Write a note on covenants and undertakings.
Answer:
Following are key points on covenants & undertakings:

  • The term “covenant” has been defined as an agreement under seal between two or more persons whereby one person promises to the other that something is or is not done already or shall or shall not be done afterwards.
  • A covenant can be express or implied.
  • According to Wharton’s Law Lexicon; a “covenant” is an agreement or consideration or promise by the parties, by deed in writing, signed, sealed and delivered, by which either of the parties, pledged himself to the other than something is either done or shall be done for stipulating the truth of certain facts.
  • “Covenant clause” is stated first and includes undertakings also.
  • In some instances, the covenants and undertakings are mixed, i.e. cannot be separated in that case they are joint together.

This clause may be drafted as follows:
The parties aforesaid hereto hereby mutually agree with each other as follows.

Question 20.
What is meant by recitals as a component of d deed? What is its evidentiary value?
Or
Explain the following; Reasons for drafting recitals in a deed with due caution.
Or
“Recitals carry evidentiary importance in the deed. It is an evidence against the parties to the instrument and those claiming under and it may operate as estoppels.” Write a detailed note on this statement with reference to the decisions of the courts.
Answer:
Following are key points on recitals :

  • Recitals contain the series of events showing as to how the property has been vested into its transferors.
  • Recitals should be short and intelligible. Recitals should be inserted with great caution because they precede the operative part and as a matter of fact contain the explanation to the operative part of the deed.
  • Recitals precede the operative part and contain the explanation to the operative part of the deed.
  • Recitals begin with “WHEREAS” and when there are several recitals they can be numbered.

The following are the types of recitals:

1. Narrative Recitals 2. Introductory Recitals
Narrative recitals contain the past history of the property which gives the facts necessary to show as to how the property was originally acquired and in what manner it has developed upon the grantor or transferor. Introductory recitals explain the motive or intention behind execution of deed. They are placed after narrative recitals. It contains the basic objective of the execution of the deed resulting into the change of hand in the property.
The extent of interest and the title of the grantor is also explained.
It should be written in chronological order.

Evidentiary importance:

  • Recitals are not generally taken into evidence but are open for interpretation for the Court.
  • If the operative part of the deed is ambiguous anything contained in the recital will help in its interpretation. Any inaccuracy in the recitals may act as estoppels under section 115 of the Evidence Act.

In the case of Provash Chandra Dalui v. Biswanath Banerjee AIR 1834, 1989 SCR (2) 401 Supreme Court laid down that “The best interpretation is made from the context. Every contract is to be construed with reference to its object and the whole of its terms. The whole context must be considered to ascertain the intention of the parties. In the case of Ram Charan.

Girija Nandini 3 SCR 841 (1965) it was held that:
“Recitals carry evidentiary importance in the deed. It is an evidence against the parties to the instrument and those claiming under and it may operate as estoppels.

Question 21.
Explain the following; Testimonium.
Answer:
Following are the key points on testimonium:

  • Testimonium is the clause in the last part of the deed.
  • Testimonium signifies that the parties to the document have signed the deed.
  • This clause marks the close of the deed and is an essential part of the deed.

The usual form of testimonium clause is as under:
“In Witness Where Of, parties hereto have hereunto set their respective hands and seals the date and year first above written”.
OR
In Witness Where Of the parties hereto have signed this Deed on the date above written.

Question 22.
Define the term deed. Explain any seven usual clauses in a deed.
Answer:
“Deed” defined as a formal writing of a non-testamentary character z which purports or operates to create, declare, confirm, assign, limit or extinguished some right, title or interest.
“Deed” is termed normally used to describe all the instruments by which two or more persons agree to affect any right or liability. Example: Sale deed, Lease deed, Gift deed.

Following are the seven clauses in a deed are as follows:

Clause Explanation
1. Description of the Deed Title
  • The draftsman after discussion with the parties in the first instances about the nature of the deed he has to write i.e. the name of the document.
  • All deeds as such must be described by the name of the transactions to which it relates.
  • The description of the deed must be expressed in the beginning of the document itself and it should be written in capital letters.
  • For example: “This Deed Of Sale”
    “This Deed Of Mortgage”
    “This Deed Of Lease.”
2. Place and Date The name of the place and the date on which it is executed has to be given.

General Principles of Drafting and Relevant Substantive Rules 2

General Principles of Drafting and Relevant Substantive Rules 3
General Principles of Drafting and Relevant Substantive Rules 4

Question 23.
Explain the following; Parcels clause as a component of a deed.
Or
Discuss how section 8 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 regarding operation of transfer has simplified parcels clause in a deed.
Answer:
Following are the key points on parcels:

  • Parcels means methodical description of the property which is the subject matter of the deed.
  • It is necessary that in case of non-testamentary document containing a map or plan of the property shall not be accepted unless it is accompanied by the true copy.
  • The Parcel Clause starts with the words “All Those and further or description covers as per the type of property subjected to transfer under the deed.”
  • Section 8 of the Transfer of Property Act, 1882 regarding operation of transfer has simplified parcels clause in a deed: Unless a different intention is expressed or necessarily implied, a transfer of property passes forthwith to the transferee all the interest which the transferor is then capable of passing in the property and in the legal incidents thereof.

For Example:

  • In case of Land:
    The easements annexed the rents and profits accruing and all things attached to the earth.
    In case of machinery attached to the earth: The movable parts thereof.
  • In case of house:
    The easements annexed thereto, the rent accruing after the transfer, the locks, keys, bars, doors, windows, and all other things provided for permanent use therewith.
  • In case of money or other property yielding income:
    The interest/income thereof accruing after the transfer take effect.

Question 24.
Explain amino attest and.
Answer:
“Amino Attestandi” means attestation should be done by at least two witnesses who should have seen the executant signing the deed or should have received from the executant personal acknowledgement to his signatures. Following are the key points :

  • It is not necessary that both the witnesses should have been present at the same time. There is no particular form of attestation but it should appear clearly that witnesses intended to sign is attesting the witnesses.
  • The deed is signed at the end of the document on the right side and attesting witnesses may sign on the left side. Attestation by witnesses is necessary in the case of some transfers, for example, mortgage, gift, sale, and revocation of will. In other cases, though it is not necessary it is always safe to have the signatures of the executant attested.
  • After attestation clause, signatures of the executants of the documents 5 and their witnesses attesting their signatures follow.
  • It is essential that the attesting witness should have put his signature, S amino attest and, intending for the purposed attesting that he has seen the executant sign or has received from him, a personal acknowledgement of his signature.

Question 25.
Distinguish between Operative clause and Testimonium clause.
Answer:
The following are differences between Operative Clause and Testimonium Clause:
Operative Clause
This part of the deed expresses the nature of transaction between the parties and as such operative words vary according to the nature of transaction between the parties.
The words used in operative parts will differ from transaction to transaction.

For example:
In the case of mortgage, the usual words to be used are “Transfer by way of simple mortgage” etc.
The exact interest transferred is indicative after parcels by expressing the intent or by adding haben dum.

Testimonium Clause:

  • Testimonium is the clause in the last part of the deed.
  • Testimonium signifies that the parties to the document have signed the deed.
  • This clause marks the close of the deed and is an essential part of the deed.
  • The usual form of testimonium clause is as under:
    “In Witness Where Of parties hereto have hereunto set their respective hands and seals the date and year first above written”.

Question 26.
Distinguish between the following; endorsements and supplemental deed.
Answer:
Following is the difference between endorsements and supplemental deed:
Deed of endorsements:

  • Endorsement means to write on the back or on the face of the same document wherein it is necessary in relation to the contents of that document or instrument.
  • Endorsement helps in putting new facts in words on such documents.
  • According to Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 *the term “endorsement” is used in instruments like cheques, bill of exchange etc. For example, on the back of the cheque to sign one’s name as Payee to obtain cash is an endorsement on the cheque.
  • Under the Registration Act, 1908 the word ‘endorsement’ applies to entry by the Registry Officer on a rider or covering slip tendered for registration under the said Act.
  • In conveyancing agreements, a part payment or acknowledgement of a debt by a debtor are carried out by endorsements.

Supplemental deed:

  • Supplemental deed is executed to give effect to the new facts in the deed entered into between the parties on the same subject for adding new facts which cannot be done by way of endorsement.
  • Supplemental deed may be supplemental to several deeds. In such a case, each prior deed should be mentioned clearly by way of recitals to make the deed with reference to the existing deed intelligible and free from ambiguity.

The word, “Supplemental” shall be added as shown below:-

A deed of ……………. dated ……………. made between the parties thereto (or between ………………. ) hereinafter called the principal deed, shall be added.

Whereas this deed is supplemental to a deed of sale executed by the parties on …………. hereinafter called the ‘principal deed’

Question 27.
Distinguish between endorsement and engrossment.
Answer:
Following is the difference between endorsement and engrossment:

“Endorsement” “Engrossment”
“Endorsement” means to write on the back or on the face of a document. The document after approval is engrossed, Lecopied fair on the non-judicial stamp paper of appropriate value as may be chargeable as per Stamp Act.
The term “Endorsement” is used with reference to negotiable instruments like cheques, bill of exchange etc. For Companies, it is approved by Board of Directors (BODs) in their meeting or by a duly constituted committee of the board for this purpose by passing requisite resolution approving and authorizing of its execution.
For example on the back of the cheque to sign one’s name as payee to obtain cash is an endorsement on the cheque. The document after approval is engrossed e. copied fair on the non-judicial stamp paper of appropriate value as may be chargeable as per Stamp Act.
Endorsement is used to give significance to a particular document with reference to new facts to be added in it. In case document is drafted on plain paper but approved without any changes, it can be lodged with collector of stamps for adjudication of stamp duty, who will endorse certificate recording the payment of stamp duty on the face of document and it will become ready for execution.
Also, endorsement is used to express definite approval to a particular document.
The draft of document is required to be approved by the parties.
If a document is not properly stamped, neither it is rendered inadmissible in evidence nor it will be registered with Registrar of Assurances.

Drafting, Pleadings and Appearances Notes

CS Professional Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Notes Study Material Important Questions

CS Professional Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Notes Study Material Important Questions

Advanced Tax Laws and Practice CS Professional for June 2020-2021 New & Old Syllabus Notes Study Material

CS Professional Advance Tax Law Notes

ICSI Advanced Tax Laws and Practice CS Professional for June December 2020-2021 New & Old Syllabus

  1. Supply Under GST Important Questions
  2. Levy and Collection Under GST Important Questions (Including Composition Levy)
  3. Time of Supply GST Important Questions
  4. Value of Supply Under GST Important Questions
  5. Input Tax Credit Important Questions
  6. Registration Under GST Important Questions
  7. Documents, Accounts and Records and Filing of Returns Important Questions
  8. Payment of GST and Refunds Under GST Important Questions
  9. Assessments and Audit Under GST Important Questions 
  10. Inspection, Search, Seizure and Arrest, Penalties, Demand and Recovery Under GST Important Questions
  11. Liability to Pay GST in Certain Cases
  12. Advance Rulings Under GST Important Questions
  13. Appeals and Revision
  14. Transitional Provisions
  15. Miscellaneous
  16. Place of Supply
  17. Zero Rated Supply i.e. Exports Under GST
  18. UTGST Act
  19. GST (Compensation to States) Act, 2017
  20. Industry Specific Analysis
  21. Basic Concepts of Customs Law
  22. Valuation of Imports and Exports
  23. Warehousing
  24. Duty Drawback
  25. Baggage
  26. Advance Ruling, Settlement Commission, Demand, Search & Seizure, Refunds, Appellate Procedure, Offences and Penalties
  27. Foreign Trade Policy to the Extent Relevant for Indirect Tax Law
  28. Corporate Tax Planning and Tax Management
  29. Taxation of Companies
  30. Taxation of Firms Including LLP and Provisions of Alternate Minimum Tax U/S 115JC of Income Tax Act
  31. Income Tax Implication On Specified Transactions
  32. Taxation of Non-Residents
  33. General Anti-Avoidance Rules (GAAR)
  34. Basics of International Tax
  35. Tax Treaties – Unilateral and Bilateral Relief (Sections 90, 90A & 91 of Income-Tax Act)
  36. Transfer Pricing

CS Professional Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Question Paper

CS Professional Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Question Paper Chapter Wise Weightage

Chapter Name June 2019 December 2019 December 2020
1. Supply under GST 10
2. Levy and collection under GST 5 10 5
3. Time of supply in GST 5 4
4. Value of supply under GST 9 5 4
5. Input Tax Credit under GST 14 15 5
6. Registration under GST 5 10
7. Documents, Accounts and Records and filing of returns under GST 10 7 10
8. Payment of GST and Refund under GST 5 8 9
9. Assessments and Audit under GST 5
10. Inspection, search, seizure & arrest, and demand & recovery under GST 13 14
11. Liability to pay in certain cases under GST
12. Advance Rulings under GST 4 1 5
13. Appeals and Revision under GST 5 1
14. Transitional Provisions
15. Miscellaneous
16. Place of supply under GST 5 2
17. Zero Rated Supply
18. UTGST Act
19. GST (Compensation to States) Act
20. Industry/Sector-specific analysis 5 8 17
21. Basic concepts of customs law 5
22. Valuation of imports and exports 5 5 10
23. Warehousing
24. Duty drawback
25. Baggage
26. Advance Ruling, Settlement Commission, Appellate Procedure, Offences and Penalties
27. Foreign Trade Policy to the extent relevant for indirect tax law 5
28. Corporate tax planning and tax management 3 9
29. Taxation of companies 13 5
30. Taxation of firms including LLP and provisions of Alternate Minimum Tax 3 5
31. Income tax implication on specified transactions 3 5 7
32. Taxation of non-resident 11
33. General Anti Avoidance Rules i.e. GAAR 3 8
34. Basics of International tax 5 3
35. Tax treaties – DTAA and unilateral relief 8 9
36. Transfer Pricing 15 11 9
Baggage – Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Important Questions

Baggage – Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Important Questions

Baggage – Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Important Questions

Question 1.
Mr. Jayesh, an Indian Entrepreneur, went to China to explore new business opportunities on 05-04-2019. The following details, regarding imports, are submitted by him with the Customs authorities on return to India on 20-02-2020.

  • 2 Music systems each Worth ₹ 23,000
  • Jewelry brought by Mr. Jayesh worth ₹ 49,000 (18 Grams)

Write a brief note on his eligibility with regard to duty-free baggage allowances as per the Baggage Rules, 2016.
Answer:
Computation of Total Customs duty payable on baggage:

Particulars Amount(₹)
a. 2 Music systems (₹ 23,000 × 2) 46,000
b. Jewellery 49,000
c. Total value of imported goods that can form part of General Free Allowance 95,000
d. Less: General Free Allowance (GFA) as per Rule 3 of Baggage Rules (50,000)
e. Assessable Value on which customs duty is payable 45,000
f. Customs duty @ 35% 15,750
g. Add: Social Welfare Surcharge @ 10% of Customs Duty 1,575
h. Total Customs Duty payable 17,325

Note:
Since Mr. Jayesh’s stay abroad does not exceed one year, he will not be eligible for additional jewelry allowance under rule 5 of the Baggage Rules, 2016.

Question 2.
Mr. Kapoor is a CS and Indian resident. He brought the following g items with him while returning to India from the USA:

  1. Personal Effects of ₹ 50,000
  2. Jewelry valued at ₹ 25,000
  3. One Camera costing ₹ 50,000
  4. Professional equipment ₹ 40,000
  5. Laptop worth ₹ 30,000
  6. Household goods of ₹ 30,000.

Compute the amount of Customs Duty payable by Mr. Kapoor on his baggage, by assuming the Rate of duty @ 38.50%.
Answer:
Computation of Customs Duty payable by Mr. Kapoor on baggage:

Particulars Amount(₹) Amount(₹)
Personal effects (Exempt)
Jewelry 25,000
One camera 50,000
Professional Equipment 40,000
Laptop (One laptop is exempt in the baggage of a passenger above 18 years of age.)
Household goods 30,000
Total Value of dutiable goods on which GFA can be claimed 1,45,000
Less: General Free Allowance (GFA) as per Rule 3 of Baggage Rules, 2016 (50,000)
Assessable Value on which customs duty is payable 95,000
Customs Duty at 35% 33,250
Add: Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS) at 10% or above 3,325
Therefore, total customs duty payable including SWS 36,575

Note:
The period of stay abroad of Mr. Kapoor has not been specified in the question. Hence, it has been taken as a short trip. Therefore, no additional allowance is allowed with respect to household articles, professional equipment, and jewelry. Only GFA is allowed, which is₹ 50,000 allowed for any resident Indian g returning to India after the visit of any number of days (without restriction) from countries other than Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

Question 3.
State the allowability or otherwise of the following with respect to the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962:

  1. Goods up to ₹ 10,000 per passenger per visit can be purchased against rupee payment in a duty-free shop at an International Airport.
  2. Bona fide baggage is exempt from duty.
  3. Total customs duty on baggage is 30%.
  4. Gifts through courier from abroad, not being prohibited goods, up to ₹ 5,000 can be imported duty-free.

Answer:

  1. False: Goods up to ₹ 5,000 per passenger per visit can be purchased against the rupee in a duty-free shop at International Airport.
  2. True: Bonafide Baggage accompanying passenger is exempt from duty.
  3. False: Total Customs Duty on Baggage is ₹ 38.50%
  4. False: Gifts through courier or post can be imported duty-free for up to ₹ 10,000

Question 4.
Mrs. and Mr. Kapoor visited Germany and brought the following goods while returning to India on 8.04.2020: –

  1. Their personal effects like clothes, etc. valued at ₹ 35,000
  2. A personal computer bought for ₹ 56,000
  3. A Laptop bought for ₹ 95,000
  4. Two liters of liquor bought for ₹ 1,600
  5. A new camera bought for ₹ 57,400

What is the amount of customs duty payable?
Answer:
In this question, Mrs. and Mr. Kapoor have brought certain goods while returning to India. The question doesn’t mention whether the same has been brought through separate baggage or through single baggage. If the goods have been brought in single baggage, the same would be supported by a single baggage declaration form and, in that event, the general free allowance will be available only once and the same cannot be pooled in respect of Mr. Kapoor and Mrs. Kapoor separately.

However, if the goods are brought in separate baggage supported by two separate baggage declaration forms, the general free allowance will be available separately to Mrs. and Mr. Kapoor.

Assumption 1: Mrs. and Mr. Kapoor have brought two separate pieces of baggage in a manner so as to lower the incidence of customs duty.

Computation of Customs Duty payable:

Mrs. Kapoor

Particulars Amount(₹)
Personal effects like clothes, etc. Exempt
Laptop Exempt
Personal Computer (assumed that it has been brought on account of Mrs. Kapoor) 56,000
Total dutiable goods which can accommodate in General Free Allowance 56,000
Less: General Free Allowance as per Rule 3 of Baggage Rules, 2016 (50,000)
Assessable Value 6,000
Total Customs Duty payable at 38.50% (including SWS) 2,310

Mr. Kapoor

Particulars Amount(₹)
Two liters of liquor (Assumed that it has been brought on account of Mr. Kapoor). It is allowed to accommodate in GFA as it will not fall in schedule I am not in excess of 2 liters. 1,600
New Camera (assumed that it has been brought on account of Mr. Kapoor) 57,400
The total value of dutiable goods that can accommodate GFA. 59,000
Less: General Free Allowance (GFA) as per Rule 3 of Baggage Rules, 2016 (50,000)
Assessable Value on which customs duty is payable 9,000
Total Customs duty payable at 38.5% including SWS @ 10% 3,465

Therefore, Total Customs duty payable under this assumption = ₹ 2,310 + ₹ 3,465 = ₹ 5,775.

Assumption 2: Only one baggage declaration form is given by Mr. Kapoor and Mrs. Kapoor.

Computation of Customs duty payable on baggage either by Mr. Kapoor; or by Mrs. Kapoor:

Particulars Amount(₹)
a. Personal effects like clothes, Exempt
b. Laptop (1 Laptop is exempt for passengers over 18 years of age) Exempt
c. Personal Computer 56,000
d. Two liters of liquor 1,600
e. New Camera 57,400
The total value of dutiable goods that can accommodate in GFA 1,15,000
Less: GFA under Rule 3 of Baggage Rules (As single baggage declaration form has been filed, it is not permissible to pool the GFA of Mr. Kapoor and Mrs. Kapoor) (50,000)
Assessable Value on which Customs Duty is payable 65,000
Total Customs duty payable at 38.5% (including SWS @ 10%) 25,025

Question 5.
Mrs. Kavita, a resident of India and carrying out her profession in the USA, returned to India after 9 months of stay and brought –

  1. Used personal effects (including jewellery: ₹ 60,000): ₹ 80,000
  2. Professional Equipment (including Personal computer: ₹ 45,000): ₹ 1,20,000
  3. Used Household articles: ₹ 25,000
  4. A laptop: ₹ 75,000
  5. Other Articles not falling under Annexure I: ₹ 32,000

Determine the duty payable by Mrs. Kavita.
Answer:
Computation of Total Customs duty payable by Mrs. Kavita:

Particulars Amount(₹)
a. Used personal effects like clothes, etc. (exempt) Nil
b. Professional Equipments (including personal computer) 1,20,000
c. Jewellery 60,000
d. Household articles 25,000
e. Other articles not falling in Annexure I 32,000
Total Dutiable goods that can accommodate in GFA 2,37,000
Less:
General Free Allowance (GFA) as per Rule 3 of Baggage Rules, 2016 (50,000)
Allowance as per Rule 6 of Baggage Rules, 2016 (1,00,000)
Assessable Value on which customs duty is payable 87,000
Total Customs duty payable (including SWS) 33,495

Notes:
1. As per Rule 6, Personal and household articles, other than those mentioned in Annexure I or Annexure II but including articles mentioned in Annexure III, up to an aggregate value of ₹ 1,00,000 shall be allowed duty-free, stay of a passenger being from 6 months to 1 year.

2. As per Rule 5, duty-Free Allowance in the case of jewelry shall be allowed only if the stay abroad of passengers is exceeding 1 year. In the given case, the stay of the passenger i.e. Mrs. Kavita in the USA is for 9 months and hence, no such allowance is considered.

Question 6.
Briefly mention the provisions about temporary detention of baggage in the Customs Act, 1962.
Answer:
As per section 80 of the Customs Act, 1962 where:

  • the baggage of a passenger contains any article which is dutiable or import of which is prohibited; and
  • in respect of which a true declaration has been made under section 77, the proper officer may, at the request of the passenger detain such article for the purpose of being returned to him on his leaving India and if for any reason, the passenger is not able to collect the article at the time of leaving India, the article may be returned to him through any other passenger authorized by him and leaving India, or the article may be sent as cargo consigned in his name.

Baggage Notes

  • The rate of Customs duty on baggage is 35% + 10% Social Welfare Surcharge (SWS). Therefore, the total effective rate of baggage is 38.5%.
  • Exemptions/Duty-free Allowances in baggage are as follows:

For passengers arriving from countries other than Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar (Rule 3 of Baggage Rules, 2016): For Indian resident/Foreigner residing in India/Tourist of Indian origin (not being an infant): GFA—> ₹ 50,000 (Allowed on all articles except § those mentioned in Annexure I) For tourist of foreign origin: GFA —> ₹ 15,000 (On all articles except § those mentioned in Annexure I) In Case of infant, only used personal effects shall be allowed duty-free.

Notes:

  • Here “infant” means a child not more than 2 years of age.
  • Used personal effects and travel souvenirs are exempt in both the above cases.

For passengers arriving from Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar (Rule 4 of Baggage Rules, 2016): GFA: ₹ 15,000 for all passengers (not being an infant), allowed on all articles except those mentioned in Annexure In Case of infant, only used personal effects shall be allowed duty-free.

EXEMPTION FOR ONE LAPTOP: (For all passengers traveling from any country)

One laptop computer (notebook computer) is exempted from the whole of the duty of customs when imported by a passenger (other than a member of the crew) of the age of 18 years or above. (Notification No. 11/2004-Cus, dated 8-1-2004)

Duty-Free Allowance in respect of Jewellery: (Rule 5 of Baggage Rules, 2016):
Allowed only for passenger who has been residing abroad for over one year.
For gentleman passenger: Jewellery up to a weight of 20 grams with a value cap of ₹ 50,000.
For a lady passenger: Jewellery up to a weight of 40 grams with a value cap of ₹ 1,00,000.
Transfer of Residence (Rule 6 of Baggage Rules, 2016):

a. If stay abroad is from 3 months to 6 months: ₹ 60,000 is an exemption allowed towards personal and household articles, other than those mentioned in Annexure or Annexure II but including articles mentioned in Annexure HI.
b. Stay abroad from 6 months to 1 year: ₹ 1,00,000
c. Minimum stay of 1 year during the preceding 2 years:₹ 2,00,000
d. Minimum stay of 2 years or more: ₹ 5,00,000

Note about Annexures:
Annexure I: Negative list for allowance of Rules 3, 4, and 6.
Annexure-II: Negative list for allowance of Rule 6.
Annexure III: Allowed items for purpose of Rule 6

CS Professional Advance Tax Law Notes

Taxation Of Non-Residents – Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Important Questions

Taxation Of Non-Residents – Advanced Tax Laws and Practice Important Questions

Question 1.
Answer the following questions in the context of provisions contained under the Income-tax Act, 1961 by taking each an independent case of Advance Ruling:

  • Applicability of advance ruling and to whom the same is binding.
  • When can the advance ruling be void?
  • Fees to be paid and form to be filed for obtaining the advance ruling.

Answer:
(1) The advance ruling pronounced by the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) under section 245R shall be binding only:

  • On the applicant who had sought it;
  • In respect of the transactions in relation to which the ruling had been sought; and
  • On the Principal Commissioner or Commissioner, and the income-tax authorities subordinate to him, in respect of the applicant and the said transaction.

(2) Advance Ruling pronounced under section 245R will be void ab initio if:

  • the AAR finds on a representation made to it by the Principal Commissioner or otherwise that an advance ruling has been obtained by the applicant by fraud or misrepresentation of facts; and
  • the AAR by order declares such advance ruling to be void ab initio.
Applicant Form No.
Non-Resident 34C
  • Any resident seeking an advance ruling in relation to the transaction with Non-Resident
  • Any public sector company
  • Any resident in relation to his tax liability arising out of one  or more transactions valuing ₹ 100 crores or more in total which has been undertaken or proposed to be undertaken
  • Resident/Non-resident and he seeks advance ruling in respect  of impermissible avoidance arrangement
34D
34E
34DA34EA

Fees of ₹ 10,000 or such fee as may be provided under rule 44E whichever is higher is to be paid along with the application as per section 245Q(2).

Author’s Note:
Advance Rulings is not directly part of New syllabus of CS professionals. But it is one of the important aspects of the taxation of Non-Resident, hence included in this book.

Question 2.
Ms. Alicia is a German national working in Sensing Ltd., in Turkey. Sensing Ltd. neither has any office in India nor has done any business in India. The company deputed Ms. Alicia to India on 31st January 2021 for conducting a market survey.

She went back to Turkey on 30th March 2021. A salary of US $50,000 for the period of her stay in India was credited to an account maintained by her in India. Examine the taxability of the salary income received by her in India. Would your answer be different, if Sensing Ltd. is maintaining its office in Delhi?
Answer:
Section 1 0(6)( vi) of Income-tax Act, 1961 states that remuneration received by a foreign national as an employee of a foreign enterprise for services rendered during his/her stay in India is exempt from tax provided:

  • Foreign enterprise is not engaged in any business or trade-in India;
  • Stay of employee does not exceed 90 days in such Previous Year; and
  • Such remuneration is not liable to be deducted from the income of the employer chargeable under the Income-tax Act.

In the given case, Ms. Alicia stayed in India for a period of (1+ 28+30) 59 days inclusive of the days of coming to and going from India. Since Ms. Alicia satisfies all the above conditions, she is not required to pay tax on the US $ 50,000 received by her in India from January to March 2021. Yes, if Singsang Ltd. had its office in Delhi, it would have meant that a foreign enterprise was engaged in business in India, and accordingly, exemption under section 1 0(6)(vi) would not have been available to Ms. Alicia.

Question 3.
A Non-Resident foreign company has a Permanent Establishment (PE) in India in respect of which royalty of ₹ 101 lakhs was earned from the Indian company in pursuance of an agreement dated 10th June 2015 (expenditure incurred on PE in India: ₹ 12,37,600). Compute the gross tax liability of foreign company ignoring TDS, Advance tax for the assessment year 2021-22, assuming that there is no other income of the company for the year.
Answer:
Since the foreign company has a permanent establishment in India and the right, property, or contract in respect of which the royalties are paid to is effectively connected with such permanent establishment, the provisions of section 44DA will be applicable. Thus, the gross tax liability of foreign company for assessment year 2021 -22 shall be (₹ 1,01,00,000 -12,37,600)X41.6% = ₹ 36,86,758.

Question 4.
Compute the Income-tax in the following cases:

  • The royalty of ₹ 10 lakhs was received by a foreign company from an Indian concern in pursuance of an agreement approved by the Central Government.
  • ₹ 10,00,000 long-term capital gains received by an overseas financial organization on the transfer of units purchased in foreign currency.

Answer:

  • As per section 115A, the rate of tax shall be 10%. Hence, Tax = ₹ 10,00,000 X 10.4% (Tax rate: 10% + Health and Educa-tion Cess @ 4%) = ₹ 1,04,000. No surcharge will be applicable as total income does not exceed ₹ 1 crore.
  • Tax rate is 10% under section 115AB. Hence, tax = ₹ 10,00,000 X 10.4% = ₹ 1,04,000.

Question 5.
Would non-resident match referees and umpires in the games played in India fall within the meaning of sportsmen to attract taxability under the provisions of section 115BBA? Discuss briefly with help of decided case law, if any.
Answer:
The Calcutta High Court has, in Indcom v. CIT (TDS) [2011] 335 ITR 485, held that match referee in the games played in India do not fall within the meaning of “sportsmen” to attract the provisions of section 115BBA. Therefore, although the payments made to non-resident match referees are “income” which has accrued and arisen in India, the same are not tax¬able under provisions of section 115BBA. They are subject to the normal rates of tax.

Question 6.
Nadal, a professional tennis player, and a non-Indian citizen during the financial year 2020-21 participated in India in a Tennis Tournament and won the prize money of ₹ 25,00,000. He contributed articles on the tournament in the local newspaper for which he was paid ₹ 3,00,000. He was also paid ₹ 7,50,000 by a soft drink company for his appearance in a TV advertisement. All his expenses in India were though met by the sponsors, but he had incurred ₹ 5,00,000 towards his travel cost to India. He was a non-resident for tax purposes in India during the financial year 2020-21. What would be his tax liability in India for the assessment year 2021-22? Is he required to file his return of income?
Answer:
Since the income has accrued or arisen or received in India, the same is liable to income tax in India and includible in total income. Said receipts are taxable as per section 115BBA.
No expenditure is allowable against such receipt.
Hence, total income = Prize money of ? 25,00,000 + amount received from newspaper of ₹ 3,00,000 + amount received towards TV advertisements of ₹ 7,50,000 = ₹ 35,50,000.
Rate of tax chargeable under section 115BBA = 20% plus Health and Education Cess at 4% = 20.8%.
Tax liability of Nadal = 20.8% of ₹ 35,50,000 = ₹ 7,38,400.

He is not required to file his return of income if – (a) his total income during the previous year consists only of income arising u/s 115BBA, and (b) the tax deductible at source under the provisions of chapter XVII-B has been deducted from such income by the payers.

Question 7.
In the context of provisions contained in the Income-tax Act, 1961 examine the correctness of the following statements: “Liaison office main¬tained in India to explore the opportunity of business in India does not constitute business connection”.
Answer:
The statement is correct. If a liaison office is maintained solely for the purpose of carrying out activities that are preparatory or auxiliary in character, and such activities are approved by the Reserve Bank of India, then no business connection is established. In this case, the liaison office is maintained for the purpose of exploring the business opportunity which is in the nature of the preparatory or auxiliary activity. It is assumed that such activities are approved by the Reserve Bank of India. Since it does not un¬dertake any commercial, trading on industrial activity, directly or indirectly, the liaison office does not constitute a business connection in this case.

Question 8.
X Ltd., a company incorporated in the USA has entered into an agreement with Y Ltd. an Indian company for rendering technical services to the latter for setting up a fertilizer plant in Orissa. As per the agreement, X Ltd. rendered both off-shore and on-shore services to Y Ltd. at a fee of ₹ 50 lakhs and 1 crore respectively. X Ltd. is of the view that it is not liable to tax in India in respect of a fee of ₹ 50 lakhs as it is for rendering services outside India. Discuss the correctness of the view of X Ltd.
Answer:
The Explanation below section 9(2) clarifies that income by way of, inter alia, fees for technical services from services utilized in India would be deemed to accrue or arise in India under section 9(1)(vii) in case of non-resident and be included in his total income, whether or not such services were rendered in India.

In this case, the technical services rendered by the foreign company, X Ltd., were for setting up a fertilizer plant in Orissa. Therefore, the services were utilized in India. Consequently, as per section 9(2), the fees of ₹ 1.5 crores for technical services rendered by X Ltd. (both off-shore and on-shore) to Y Ltd. is deemed to accrue or arise in India and includible in the total income of X Ltd. Therefore, the view of X Ltd. that it is not liable to tax in India in respect of fee of ₹ 50 lakhs (as it is for rendering service outside India) is not correct.

Question 9.
Determine the tax liability of income of Japan-based company Fujitsu Ltd., in India on entering following transactions during the financial year 2020-21:

  • ₹ 5 lakhs received from an Indian domestic company for providing technical know-how in India.
  • ₹ 6 lakhs from an Indian firm for conducting the feasibility study for the new project in Finland.
  • ₹ 4 lakhs from a non-resident for use of the patent for a business in India.
  • ₹ 8 lakhs from a non-resident Indian for use of know-how for a business in Singapore.
  • ₹ 10 lakhs for the supply of manuals and designs for the business to be established in Singapore.

Assume there is no Double Tax Avoidance Agreement and all foreign Income is taxable in India only.
Answer:
Computation of tax liability of Fujitsu Ltd. for Assessment Year 2021-22

Particulars Amount(₹)
The amount received from an Indian domestic company for providing technical know-how in India (It is Income from a business connection in India & hence taxable in India) 5,00,000
Amount received from Indian firm for conducting the feasibility study for the new project in Finland (Not taxable in India as it is for business outside India)
Amount received from a Non-resident for use of the patent for a business in India (Amount received for business set up in India and hence is taxable in India) 4,00,000
Amount received from a non-resident Indian for use of know-how for a business in Singapore (The business is outside India, therefore not taxable in India.)
Amount received for supply of manuals and designs for the business to be established in Singapore (Business is to be established outside India, thus not taxable in India.)
Total Income in India 9,00,000
Tax at 40% 3,60,000
Surcharge
Health and Education Cess @ 4% 14,400
Total Tax liability 3,74,400

Taxation Of Non-Residents Notes

  • Determination of Residential status for Individual, HUF, Firm, and Company. (Also covered in basics of International topic)
  • Tax incidence on non-residents:
  • Total income of non-resident includes all income from whatever source derived which,
    a. is received in India
    b. is deemed to be received in India
    c. is accrued or arisen in India
    d. is deemed to accrue or arise in India.
  • Meaning of business connection
  • Salary for services rendered in India is deemed to be a salary earned in India.
  • Further, salaries payable by Government of India to Indian citizen abroad is also salaried income in India.
  • Interest income payable by Government of India; or a resident ex¬cept where it is payable in respect of any debt incurred, or money borrowed and used for purpose of business/profession carried on by such person outside India or for purpose of earning any income from any source outside India shall be income arising in India.

Further, interest income payable by a non-resident, where it is payable in respect of any debt incurred and used for purpose of business/profession carried on by such person in India.

CS Professional Advance Tax Law Notes

Corporate Laws including Company Law – Multidisciplinary Case Studies Important Questions

Corporate Laws including Company Law – Multidisciplinary Case Studies Important Questions

Question 1.
Draft specimen resolutions staling the authority who can pass it and also the type of resolution. Give reasons for passing the requisite resolution referring to the relevant section(s) of the Companies Act, 2013:
(i) Health Care Ltd. (HCL) wants to make investment of ₹ 55 crores and loans of ₹ 45 crores in other companies. Balance sheet as on 31st March, 2009 shows HCL’s paid-up capital of 35 crores and reserves of ₹ 75 crores.

(ii) Buoyant Ltd. a loss incurring company, wants to appoint Jolly as Managing Director w.e.f. 15th March, 2009 on a total remuneration of ₹ 7 takh per month (all inclusive). Its paid-up capital is 5 crore, reserves ₹ 3 crore and term loans ₹ 10 crore. The company has accounting year ending on 31st March every year.

(iii) Grow India Ltd. is sanctioned a credit facility of ₹ 25 crores by the Union Bank of India, Kapurbavdi Branch, Thane, against its inventory and receivables. The company wants to enjoy the sanctioned credit facility.

(iv) Global Fashion Ltd. wants to appoint Amitabh as a director in place of Dharrnendra who has resigned due to ill health.
Answer:
(i) Authority : Shareholder

Type of Resolution : Special Resolution

“Resolved that pursuant to Section 188 of Companies Act, 2013 and other applicable provisions of Companies Act, 2013, consent of the company be and is hereby accorded to the Board of Directors of the company to make loans not exceeding an aggregate sum of ₹ 45 crores and also to make investment not exceeding ₹ 55 crores in other bodies corporate”.

Explanatory Statement : In the case of the aggregate amount of the investments in shares/ debentures, loans and guarantee(s)/security(ies) proposed to be made by the company to other bodies corporate exceeds the limits provided in Section 186 of the Companies Act 2013 require approval of the shareholder by Special Resolution at a General Meeting.

None of the directors save and except Shri… and Shri…. who are also Directors on the Board of Health Care Ltd./HCL are concerned or interested in the resolution.

Note : As per the provisions of Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board of Directors of a public company can make investments and give loans to the extent of 60% of its paid up capital plus free reserves and Securities Premium A/c or 100% of its free reserves plus Securities premium which is higher. If the company wants to exceed this limit then consent of the members at General Meeting is needed by passing a special resolution.

In the instant case, the company’s aggregate of paid-up capital and free reserves is ₹ 110 crores. Therefore, a special resolution is required.

(ii) Authority : Board/Shareholder with approval of the Central Government

Types of Resolution : Board Resolution subject to approval of the Central Government.

“Resolved that, as per the provisions of Sections 197 and 203 and subject to the approvals of the shareholders and the Central Government and subject to the compliance the requirement of Schedule V of the Companies Act, 2013, Mr. Jolly be and is hereby appointed the managing director of the company with effect from 15th March, 2009 on a remuneration of ₹ 7 (seven) lakhs per month or ₹ 84 lakhs per annum inclusive all benefits and perquisites for a period of 3 years or lesser and he shall not be liable to retire by rotation”.

(iii) Authority : Board of Directors

Type of Resolution : Board Resolution

“Resolved that pursuant to the provision of Companies Act, 2013, the company do commence enjoying the credit facility of ₹ 25 crores against its inventories and receivables sanctioned by Union Bank of India. Kapurbavdi Branch. Thane and do accept the terms and conditions of such sanction mentioned in the sanction letter No ….. dated …. copy of which was tabled before the board and duly initialed by the Chairman for the sake of authentication.”

“Resolved Further that, Mr. A, the Chairman or Mr. B, the Managing Director of the company, be and is hereby authorized to acknowledge the sanction letter by signing the duplicate copy thereof, on behalf of the company, to avail the sanctioned credit facility”.

“Resolved Further that, the Common Seal of the company be affixed to all such documents, deeds and other writings as required by the said Union Bank of India in the presence of Mr. B, Managing Director and Mr. C, Director Finance and counter signed by the Secretary of the company as per Article 72 of the Articles of Association of the company who shall sign the same in token thereof.

(iv) Authority : Board of Director

Type of Resolution : Board Resolution

“Resolved that, in terms of the provisions of Section 161(4) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Article 56 of the Articles of Association of the company Mr. Amitabh be and is hereby appointed as a Director of the company to fill up the casual vacancy resulted in the Board of Directors of the company due to the resignation by Mr. Dharmendra, due to his iil health and he shall hold the office up to the remaining term of the said resigned director”.

Note : The Section 161(4) of the Companies Act, 2013 empowers the company to fill in the casual vacancy resulted in the Board of Directors of the company, Such appointee shall hold the office until the director who resigned would have held such office of the director. The Articles of Association should contain a provision for such appointment, which normally most of the Articles do have.

Question 2.
Swan Ltd. was sanctioned a term loan of ₹15 crore by Fantastic Bank Ltd. with a stipulation of conversion of loan into equity. The company could not repay the loan as stipulated. As per one of the conditions of sanction, the bank now wants to exercise the right of conversion of ₹ 5 crore loan into equity. State the procedure for the same.
Answer:

  1. Fantastic Bank Ltd. had granted a term loan of ₹ 15 crores to Swan Ltd. However, the borrowing company could not repay the term loan as stipulated.
  2. One of the conditions of the sanction provides a covenant that in the circumstances of non-repayment of the term loan as stipulated, the bank shall have right to get the loan converted into equity shares.
  3. The company therefore, on receipt of intimation from the bank will have to take steps for such conversion into equity shares by making allotment.
  4. Since the borrowing company is a public company it has to first offer shares to its existing shareholders on rights basis.
  5. However, the shares are required to be allotted to persons other than existing shareholders.
  6. This requires Special Resolution under Section 62 to be passed at a General Meeting.
  7. Accordingly a General Meeting has to be convened and the following special resolution is to be passed.

Draft Resolution:
To be passed at a General Meeting as a Special Resolution.
“Resolved that, in accordance with Section 62 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Articles of Association of the company, consent of the members be and is hereby accorded to the Board of Directors to allot 50,00,000 (Fifty lakhs) Equity Shares of ₹ 10 (Ten) each at par to Fantastic Bank Ltd., by conversion of a part of the Term Loan of ₹ 15 crores availed by the company, in terms of term loan agreement signed by the company, with the said Bank.”

Board Resolution/s at a Board Meeting:
Resolved that, an allotment of 50,00,000 (Fifty lakhs) Equity Shares of 10 each bearing distinctive No. 100,00,001 to 150,00,000 be and is hereby made to Fantastic Bank Ltd.

“Resolved Further that, share certificates nos …… tor respective 50 lakhs equity shares be issued by the company duly stamped and signed by any two directors of the company mechanically/manually/physically and by the Company Secretary, Mr. X, physically and by affixing the Common Seal of the company in their presence.”

“Resolved Further that, necessary entries in the Register of Members of the company be made to record the said allotment of shares.” “RESOLVED FURTHER THAT, the Secretary of the company Mr. X. be and is hereby authorized to file Form PAS-3, the Return of Allotment with the concerned Registrar of Companies, notifying this allotment to it.”

Question 3.
Bipin is the Managing Director of Adarsh Ltd. and also of Bolder Ltd. Cleaner Ltd. decides to appoint Bipin as the Managing Director of the company. State the legal requirements under the Companies Act, 2013 to give effect to the proposed appointment and also draft a resolution for the appointment of Bipin as the Managing Director of Cleaner Ltd.
Answer:
As per Section 203 :
(a) A person can act as a Managing Director in two or more than two companies, provided none of those companies is a public company.

(b) A public company may appoint a person as its Managing Director, who is already a Managing Director in any other company, including a private company, only if such appointment is made by a unanimous resolution passed at a meeting of the Board of which specific notice has been given to all directors then in India.

(c) A person can be appointed as Managing Director in more than two public companies only with the approval of the Central Government. The Central government may permit a person to be appointed so, if it is satisfied that it is necessary that the company should have a common Managing Director for their proper working and function as a single unit.

So Cleaner Ltd. can appoint Mr. Bipin as Managing Director of the company, subject to approval of the Central Government.

Draft Resolution :
“RESOLVED THAT, subject to the approval of the Central Government under Section 203, Mr. Bipin who is already the Managing Director of two companies, namely M/s. Adarsh Ltd. and M/s Bolder Ltd., be and is hereby appointed as Managing Director of the company by the director present at the meeting and by specific notice in this regard was given to all directors then in India, on the terms and conditions in the draft agreement tabled before the meeting and initiated by the Chairman for the purpose of identification and that Mr. S, the Secretary of the company be and is hereby authorized to apply to the Central Government for seeking their approval.”

“RESOLVED FURTHER THAT, Shri D. Director and Shri S. the Secretary of the company be and is hereby authorized to execute the said agreement subject to such modifications/alterations made by the Central Government and to affix the common seal of the company thereon.”

Question 4.
Amar, Akbar and Anthony failed to pay the first call money of ₹ 2.5 per equity share of ₹ 10 each on 300, 500 and 1,000 equity shares held by them respectively in Good Prospects Ltd. The Board of Directors wants to know what can be done in this situation. Guide the Board of Directors by way of a note stating the steps involved and procedure to be followed by the company if it wants to forfeit the shares held by them. Also explain to the Board of Directors whether the forfeiture will amount to reduction of share capital.
Answer:
A brief note for the Board of Directors in respect with non-payment of call money and effect thereof,
To
The Board of Directors
Good Prospects Ltd.
As desired by you I furnish below the information required by you in respect with the matter of non-payment of call money by Mr. Amar, Mr. Akbar and Mr. Anthony for the shares held by them.
The shareholders are expected to make payment of call money due from them on there shares held by them in the time limit specified. In case of I non-payment, the company has power to forfeit the shares held by them under Article 15 of the Articles of Association of the company. The provisions for forfeiture of shares are as under.

Procedure for forfeiture of shares:
1. A forfeiture of any share must be done on the authority of the Board of Directors or, of a committee of the Board if authorised by Articles of Association for the purpose, by its resolution. The resolution should provide for a notice to be given to the shareholder concerned before the forfeiture is actually effected in pursuance of the resolution, requiring payment of so much of the call as is unpaid, together with any interest which may have accrued.

2. The notice threatening forfeiture in pursuance of the Board resolution must be given in accordance with the piovisions of the articles. The notice aforesaid shall

  • name a further day (not being earlier than the expiry of fourteen days from the date of service of the notice) on or before which the payment required by the notice is to be made; and
  • state that, in the event of non-payment on or before the day so named, the shares in respect of which the call was made will be liable to be forfeited.

3. The notice must:

  • specify clearly the amount payable on account of unpaid call money as well as interest accrued, if any and other expenses.
  • mention the day on or before which the amount specified ought to be paid, not be earlier than 14 days from the date of service of the notice.
  • contain an unambiguous and clear statement to the effect that in the event of failure to pay the specified amount latest on the appointed day, the shares in respect of which the amount remains unpaid would be liable to be forfeited.

4. The notice threatening forfeiture as contemplated in Table F must be served in accordance with the provisions of Section 20 of the Companies Act, 2013.

5. If the call money is not paid in response to such notice threatening forfeiture, the company may, at any time thereafter, before the payment required by the notice has been made, forfeit the shares by a resolution of the Board to that effect.

6. It is common practice by widely held listed company to publish a notice of forfeiture in newspapers so that the members of the public are made aware of the forfeiture and cautioned not to deal in the forfeited shares.

7. A further notice after the shares are forfeited is not necessary. However, it is advisable and a common practice to give a notice of the shares having been forfeited to the concerned shareholders by registered post.

8. Table F provides for a verified declaration in writing to be issued under the.signature of a Director, Manager or Secretary of the company that a share in the company has been duly forfeited on a date stated in the declaration. The declaration so made shall be conclusive evidence of the facts stated therein as against all persons claiming to be entitled to the shares forfeited. The accidental non-receipt of notice of forfeiture by the defaulter is not a ground for relief against forfeiture regularly effected.

9. The fact of the forfeiture will be entered in the Register of Members and the name of the concerned shareholder as a member of the company will be deleted from the register.

I hope the matter is clearly explained to you. Please advise if any action is to be initiated in this direction.
Regards,
Sd/-
Company Secretary

It may be noted that the forfeiture amounts to reduction of capital till the forfeited shares are re-issued.

Question 5.
Arnold is the elder son of John. John was holding 5,000 equity shares of Dreams Ltd. and died. As the Company Secretary of the company, how will you guide Arnold to claim the shares of John₹ He has one brother, 2 sisters and mother. John had not made any nomination.
Answer:
From the details given in the question it is understood that the deceased member late Mr. John was holding 5000 shares of Dreams Ltd. and left behind him his wife two sons and two daughters.

As the Company Secretary I will have to advise Mr. Arnold as under: Transmission of shares is a process by operation of law.

Secretarial Standard 6 (Clause 1.4) reads as follows with regard to transmission where there is no will and there are more than one legal heirs. “Where a sole shareholder who has not appointed a Nominee, dies intestate, the company should on receipt of written request from the legal heir, accompanied by the certificate evidencing the death of the shareholder and the Succession certificate or Letter of Administration, register the Shares in the name of the legal heir within a period of 30 days.

In case the transmission is requested in favour of one or more but not all the legal heirs, the company may require a No Objection Certificate relinquishing their right on the said Shares or Deed of Relinquishment from other legal heir(s) for such transmission”.

After compliance procedure as prescribed above by Mr. Arnold, the Secretary will place the matter for the approval of the transmission of 5000 shares in his name by the Board of Directors by passing appropriate resolution. After such approval by the board, necessary change in the entries will be made in the Register Of Members. Then the share certificate shall be endorsed in the name of Mr. Arnold and sent to him by registered post.

Question 6.
A complaint has been made to the Registrar of Companies by 5 members asking him to direct the Timely Holdings Ltd. of which they are members to re-convene annual General Meeting since they had not received the notice of the company for the annual General Meeting held on 30th September, 2008. The Registrar of Companies issues notice as to show cause why such directions should not be issued. What would be your response as the Company Secretary of the aforesaid company?
Answer:
Five members of Timely Holdings Ltd. claimed and complained to the Registrar of Companies, that they have not received any Notice of annual General Meeting and therefore any proceedings took place there of be treated as null and void.

One of the fundamental and basic rights of a shareholder/member of a company is to receive a Notice of general meeting, attend and vote there of.

The response to the Registrar will be on the following lines by the Company Secretary to submit that:

  • The Notice was sent to the complainants on their registered address with the company as per Register of Members.
  • The Notice was sent through post.
  • Besides this a Public Notice under Section 91 of the Companies Act, 2013 was published in two news papers one in English and other in Vernacular having largest circulation in the district of the Regd. Office of the company.
  • Since the company has strictly followed and complied with all the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 in respect with issue of Notice there is no question of reconvening the Annual General Meeting held on 30th September, 2008.

Question 7.
The Board of directors of Free Flow Ltd. registered in Chennai, proposes to hold the next meeting of Board of directors in the month of January, 2010. Advise with reference to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and relevant Secretarial Standards in respect of the following matters:
(i) Can the meeting of Board of directors be held in Kolkata, when all the directors of the company reside at Chennai?

(ii) Whether the meeting of Board of directors can be called on a public holiday and that too after business hours as the majority of the directors of the company have gone to Kolkata on vacation?

(iii) Is it necessary that the notice of the meeting of Board of Directors should specify the nature of business to be transacted?
Answer:
(i) Yes. There is no prohibition in Companies Act, 2013 regarding time, day, venue of the Board meetings. As per Clause 1.2.2 of Secretarial Standard-1, a Board meeting may held at any time, any day including a public holiday and at any place.

(ii) Yes, there is no prohibition in the Companies Act, 2013 regarding time, day, venue of the Board meetings. As per Clause 1.2.2 of Secretarial Standard-1, a Board meeting may held at any time, any day including a public holiday and at any place.

(iii) Section 173 of the Companies Act, 2013 does not make it mandatory to specify the nature of business to be transacted along with notice of the meeting. If the Articles of Association are silent the notice of the Board Meeting is not required to specify the nature of business to be transacted.

However, Secretarial Standard-1 has specified that agenda for the meeting should be provided, along with the notice on agenda at least 7 days before the date of the meeting.

Question 8.
Draft of following. In case of resolution, give reasons for passing the requisite resolution stating the authority who can pass it and also the type of resolution referring to the relevant section(s) of the Companies Act, 2013:
Agreement with Vivek as the Managing Director of Grow Fast Ltd. for a period of 3 years at a remuneration of ₹ 20 lakh per month with perquisites allowable under Schedule V to the Companies Act, 2013, but with no commission. The company is consistently earning profits and the remuneration will be subject to the provisions of Sections 197. (Only main body of the resolution is to be drafted containing the duties, responsibilities and powers of the appointee.)
Answer:
Authority: Shareholders
Type of Resolution : Ordinary Resolution
“Resolved THAT pursuant to Schedule V to the Companies Act, 2013 and subject to the provisions of Sections 197 of the Companies Act, 2013, the company be and is hereby appoint Shri Vivek resident of ….. and aged 54 years as its managing director for a period of 3 years commencing from ….. and Shri Vivek agrees to act as the managing director (MD) of the company for the said duration on the following terms and conditions.

(a) The MD shall work under the superintendence, control and direction of the Company’s Board, shall have the powers of general conduct and management of business and affairs of the company in relation to the following function, namely (a) (b) (c)… except in the matters which may be specifically required to be done by the Board either by the governing law or by the articles of the company.

(b) The MD will exercise and perform such acts and duties as the Board may from time to time delegate to him. He will also do and perform all other acts, deeds and things which in the ordinary course of business, he may consider necessary, proper and in the interest of the company.

(c) Without restricting the general powers and authority as mentioned above the MD will have following powers to be exercised on behalf of the company:

(d) The MD shall hold office for 3 years commencing from

(e) The company shall pay to the MD the remuneration specified below in consideration of services as MD:

  • Salary at ₹ 20 lakh per month inclusive of DA
  • Perquisites as allowable under Schedule V.

(f) In the event of the company failing to earn adequate profits or incurring loss during the tenure of the arrangement, this agreement will automatically came under Section 26 of the aforesaid schedule and the remuneration per month will be worked out based on effective capital of the company.”

Note : The Board of Directors of a company can appoint a Managing Director if authorized by the articles in accordance with Schedule V to the Companies Act, 2013. However, according to Schedule V, where a managing director is appointed as per Schedule V, the appointment shall be subject to approval by a resolution of the shareholders in General Meeting. Further, as the question specifically mentions that perquisites are allowable under Schedule V, Central Government’s approval is not required in the present case.

Question 9.
Draft of following. In case of resolution, give reasons for passing the requisite resolution stating the authority who can pass it and also the type of resolution referring to the relevant section(s) of the Companies Act, 2013:
Appropriate resolution to make investment of ₹ 15 crores in preference shares of Sona Tractors Ltd., a company in trade dealing relationship with the investing company. The investing company has a paid-up equity capital of ₹ 20 crores, a paid-up preference capital of ₹ 5 crores and general reserve of ₹ 4 crores. The company has no other investment or recoverable loan.
Answer:
Authority : Board of Directors Type of resolution : Board Resolution
The resolution will be a Board resolution as the proposed investment, loans etc under section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013.
The paid-up share capital is ₹ 20 crores + ₹ 5 crores = ₹ 25 Crores
The free reserves = ₹ 04 crores
Total paid-up share capital and free reserves = ₹ 29 crores
60% of ₹ 29 crores = 17.4 crores
100% of free reserve = 4 crores
₹ 17.4 crores is accordingly the upper limit in the case and the proposed investment is ₹ 15 crores.

Accordingly, the following is-the draft of the Board Resolution :
Resolved unanimously that an investment of ₹ 15 crores in Preference shares of Sona Tractors Ltd. as a trade investment to help that company expand its capacity to meet the company’s growing demands for tractors and their components be and is hereby approved. Sri the Executive Director (Finance) is authorized to sign the application form and do all such acts as are necessary or incidental thereto.

However, Schedule V to the Companies Act, 2013, deals with situations where there are no profits or inadequate profits. It takes into ‘ consideration the concept of effective capital and fixes the maximum limit of remuneration for each director.

However, there are certain conditions imposed by the said Schedule and Parts thereof.

If such terms and conditions are fulfilled, the company may pay remuneration according to the provisions of Schedule V. In the given case the effective capital works out as under.

Paid up capital ₹ 10 crores
Secured loans 05 crores
Gross capital employed ₹ 15 crores
reduced by accumulated losses 10.67 crores
4.33
Further reduced by investment 7.00
Effective capital (-) 2.67 crores

Since, the effective capital is negative, as per the provisions given in Schedule V, the remuneration payable to each director shall be maximum ₹ 5,00,000 per month. Further, the company is required to apply to the Central Govt, for getting prior approval for the proposed remuneration. Also, approval of members by special resolution and of the remuneration Committee is required.

Question 10.
Anmol Ltd. in its annual General Meeting appointed all its directors by passing one single resolution. No objection was made to the resolution by any one present in the meeting. Examine the validity of the appointment and subsequent acts of the Board of directors explaining the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Will it make any difference, if Anmol Ltd. is a government company?
Answer:
As per Section 162 of the Companies Act, 2013, at a General Meeting of a public company or of a private company, which is a subsidiary of a public company, a motion shall not be made for the appointment of two or more persons as directors of the company by a single resolution, unless a resolution that it shall be so made has first been agreed to by the meeting without any vote being given against it. Also, a resolution moved in contravention of this provision shall be void, whether or not objection was taken at the time of its being so moved.

In the present case, Anmol Ltd. passed a single resolution appointing all the directors. The resolution is void since before moving the resolution for appointment of all the directors by a single resolution, no resolution was passed to the effect that all the directors shall be appointed by a single resolution. It is immaterial that no member objected to the appointment of all the directors by a single resolution.

As per Sec. 176 of the Companies Act, 2013, the act of these directors shall not be invalidated until the defect in their appointment is discovered. However, where such defect comes to the knowledge of the company, all subsequent acts of these directors shall be invalid.

Further, Sec. 162 of the Act does not apply to a Government company in which the majority paid-up share capital is held by the Central Government or by any State Government or Governments or by the Central Government ; and one or more State Governments (Notification No. GRS 577(E), dated 16-7-1985],

Therefore, if Anmol Ltd. is a government company (and satisfy the conditions as mentioned above), the appointment of all the directors by a single resolution shall be valid.

Question 11.
Prepare directors’ report for Anand Entertainment Ltd., including inter alia response to a qualification by auditors of the company for non-payment to creditors from small scale industries sector amounting to ) ₹ 5,000. (State only major headings of directors’ report without giving any ! details except for the qualification.)
Answer :
Anand Entertainment Ltd.
Directors Report of a listed company
To,
The Members,
Your Directors have pleasure in presenting their fortieth Annual Report on the business and operations of the company and the accounts for the financial year ended 31st March, 2010.
1. Performance of the company
2. Expansion and Diversification
3. Dividend
4. Term Deposits
5. Particulars of Employees
6. Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption and Foreign Exchange earnings and outgo.
7. Directors
8. Management Discussion and Analysis
9. Directors’ Responsibility statement
10. Auditor’s
11. Auditor’s qualification
Regarding auditor’s qualifications, the Directors state as follows :
For item no of Auditor’s Report read with note no …….. of schedule …..
As on date, the company has settled 25% of the amount due (₹ 5,000) to the creditors from small scale industries and will make payment of remaining amount at earliest possible.
12. Acknowledgments

For and on behalf of the
Board of Directors
Chairman and Managing Director
Anand Entertainment Ltd.

Pune
Dated : June 2, 2010

Question 12.
A reputed public company had validly loaned certain sum of money to one of its directors on certain terms and conditions fixing the time limit for repayment thereof. Now, the director concerned has approached the company with a request to extend the time limit for repayment of the balance of loan amounting to ₹ 12 lakh by another six months. You are required to answer the following with reference to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 :
(i) Who is authorised to grant the extension as requested by the director?
(ii) Draft an appropriate notice for the meeting where such extension may be granted.
Answer:
(i) Pursuant to Section 180(1)(d) of Companies Act, 2013, a public company cannot give extension of time for the repayment of any debt due by a director, except with the consent of company in General Meeting by way of an ordinary resolution. Therefore, the company in General meeting is authorized to grant extension as requested by the director.

(ii) Notice for the meeting where such extension may be granted Notice of ………. General Meeting / Extra ordinary General Meeting XYZ Limited Registered office ……………. NOTICE is here by given that the General Meeting/Extra Ordinary General Meeting of the members of XYZ Limited will be held on ………. day …….. the (date) at ……… (time) at ………… (address) to transact the following business :

Special Business :
Granting extension of time for the repayment of debt.
1. To consider and, if though fit, to pass, with or without modifications, the following Resolution as an Ordinary Resolution :
“RESOLVED that pursuant to the provisions of Section 180(1 )(d) of Companies Act, 2013 consent be and is here by accorded to the company for extending the time for the repayment of balance amount of ₹ 12.00 lacs advanced to Mr AK, the Director of the company, by a further period of six months ending on (date)
2. ……………
3. ……………
By order of Board of Directors
PQR
Company Secretary
Place :
Date :

Question 13.
A complaint was filed against the petitioner and others under Section 220 read with Section 162 in their capacity as the officers of a company who had failed to file the financial statement in the prescribed form with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). The petitioner being accused No. 3 contended that he had held the post of a non-executive director and had resigned long back. It was submitted that in his replies to the earlier show cause notices, this fact was conveyed to the ROC and no communication had been received from the ROC. The petitioner produced his resignation letter to the company and also the minutes of meeting of the Board of directors of the company wherein his resignation was recorded. Decide.
Answer:
On perusal of the relative record, it has been established beyond doubt that the concerned non-executive directors has resigned and such resignation was duly accepted by the Board of Directors of the Company. Further, at the point of time, no financial statement (including consolidated financial statement) was due for filing with ROC. The contention made by such Director had been ignored by the office of ROC. Accordingly, it may be decided that such director should not be held liable in any manner for non-filing of balance sheet etc.

Question 14.
Mr. BHUSHAN is holding the post of Director in five companies out of which SAMAROH LTD. is one. For the financial year ended on 3151 March, 2010, Samaroh Ltd. failed to pay interest on loans taken from a financial Institution and also failed to repay the matured deposits. On 1st July, 2C10 Mr. Bhushan accepting the post of additional director in Fedex Ltd, submitted a declaration that the disqualification specified in Section 164 of the Companies Act, 2013 is not applicable in his case. Decide whether the declaration submitted by Mr. Bhushan to Fedex Ltd. is in order.
Answer:
Disqualifications for Appointment of Director
Section 164(1) Provides that a person shall not be eligible for appointment as a director of a company, if –
(a) He is unsound of mind and stands so declared by a competent Court;

(b) He is an undischarged insolvent;

(c) He has applied to be adjudicated as an insolvent and his application is pending;

(d) He has been convicted by a Court of any offence, whether involving moral turpitude or otherwise, and sentenced in respect thereof to imprisonment for not less than six months and a period of five years has not elapsed from the date of expiry of the sentence. Provided that if a person has been convicted of any offence and sentenced in respect thereof to imprisonment for a period of seven years or more, he shall not be eligible to be appointed as a director in any company.

(e) An order disqualifying him for appointment as a director has been passed by Tribunal and the order is in force;

(f) He has not paid any calls in respect of any shares of the company held by him, whether alone or jointly with others, and six months have elapsed from the last day fixed for the payment of the call;

(g) He has been convicted of the offence dealing with related party transactions under Section 188 at any time during the last preceding five years; or

(h) He has not complied with sub-section (3) of Section 152.

  • New clause inserted by Companies (Amendment) Act, 2019
  • He has not complied with the provisions of sub-section (1) of Section 165.

Section 164(2) also provides that no person who is or has been a director of a company which –
(a) Has hot filed financial statements or annual returns for any continuous period of three financial years; or

(b) Has failed to repay the deposits accepted by it or pay interest thereon or to redeem any debentures on the due date or pay interest due thereon or pay any dividend declared and such failure to pay or redeem continues for one year or more, shall be eligible to be re-appointed as a director of that company or appointed in other company for a period of five years from the date on which the said company fails to do so.

Provided that where a person is appointed as a director of a company which is in default of clause (a) or clause (b), he shall not incur the disqualification for a period of six months from the date of his appointment. In case of Government Companies, Section 164(2) shall not apply – Notification No. [F. No. 1/2/2014- CL.V], dated 5-06-2015.

Every Director shall inform to the company concerned about his disqualification under sub-section (2) of Section 164, if any, in Form DIR-8 before he is appointed or re-appointed.

Whenever a company fails to file the financial statements or annual returns, or fails to repay any deposit, interest, dividend, or fails to redeem its debentures, as specified in sub-section (2) of Section 164, the company shall immediately file Form DIR-9, to the Registrar furnishing therein the names and addresses of all the Directors of the company during the relevant financial years.

When a company fails to file the Form DIR-9 within a period of thirty days of the failure that would attract the disqualification under Sub-section (2) of section 164, officers of the company specified in clause (60) of Section 2 of the Act shall be the officers in default.

Upon receipt of the Form DIR-9 under sub-rule (2), the Registrar shall immediately register the document and place it in the document file for public inspection. Any application for removal of disqualification of directors shall be made in Form DIR-10.

However, a private company may by its articles provide for any disqualifications for appointment as a director in addition to those specified in sub-sections (1) and (2). The disqualifications referred to in clauses (d), (e) and (g) of sub-section (1) shall continue to apply even if the appeal or petition has been filled against the order of conviction or disqualification.

Question 15.
Your company has total 12 directors as under:
Non-retiring directors     3
Retiring directors             5
Additional directors         4
State the number of directors liable to retire by rotation at the annual General Meeting (AGM) and the total number of directors who shall vacate the office at the AGM.
Answer:
Sectibn 152 of Companies Act, 2013 provides that unless the articles provides for the retirement of all directors of every Annual General Meeting, not less than 2/3rd of the total number of directors or public company or a private company of which is subsidiary of public company shall retire by rotation.

In the given situation : The total number of directors excluding the additional of directors is 8. Therefore, not less than 2/3rd of 8 directors shall be persons liable to retire by rotation. 2/3rd of 8 comes 5.33. So 6 directors shall be the directors whose period of office shall be liable to retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting.

As per Section 152 -1/3,dof the directors liable to retire by rotation shall retire at the AGM. Therefore, 1 /3rd of 6 that is 2 shall retire from offices. As per Section 161 of Companies Act, 2013 provides that the additional directors hold office till the next AGM. So 4 additional directors shall vacate the office at AGM.

Question 16.
The Board of Directors of Ujwal Pvt. Ltd. having a paid-up share capital of ₹ 1 crore consists of two directors, one of them, viz., Bimal, possesses membership of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. The company desires to appoint him as a Company Secretary also. Would the provisions of Section 314 come into effect? State the legal position.
Answer :
According to Rule 8 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides for the compulsory, appointment of a whole-time secretary in a company having paid up share Capital of ₹ 5 crore or more. It further provides that where the Board of Directors of such a company comprise of only 2 directors, neither of them shall be the secretary of the company.

Question 17.
XYZ Ltd. proposes to acquire 12.5% of shares of Progressive (P) Ltd, for ₹ 20 lakhs, which have a face value of ₹ 15 lakhs. XYZ Ltd. has ar outstanding loan of ₹ 10 lakhs payable to a public financial institution The iivesting company (XYZ Ltd.) has not defaulted in payment of the loan instalments stipulated in the loan agreement. Based on the following data, advise XYZ Ltd. about the legal position in this respect and allowability of the proposed investment:

(₹) (₹)
Authorised capital 50 lakhs 2 crores
Issued, subscribed and paid-up capital 25 lakhs 1.2 crores
Free reserves 5 lakhs 1.5 crores

As on the date of proposed acquisition, XYZ Ltd. does not hold any shares of Progressive (P) Ltd. or any other company.
Answer:
According to Section 186 of Companies Act, 2013 govern inter corporate investments :
In the given problem : ₹ 20 lakhs as per Section 186 provide that limited is 60% of paid up share capital and free reserves.
Here, 60% of paid up share capital and free reserves = 60% of ₹ 30 lakhs = ₹ 18 lakhs
Since the amount proposed for investment is exceeding the limit provided under section 186 of Companies Act, 2013, following steps shall be necessary.

  1. Prior approval by way of unanimous resolution of the Board of Directors.
  2. Prior approval of concerned public financial institution.
  3. Passing of special resolution through postal ballot
  4. Enter the prescribed particulars in the Register of Loans and Investments maintained by the company.
  5. File copy of the special resolution with ROC within 30 days of its passing.

It is assumed that XYZ Ltd. has not extended any loan, guarantee etc. to any other body corporate.

Question 18.
Vaibhav Polymers LTD. has an authorized capital of ? 250 lacs. Its paid up capital is ? 200 lacs. The free reserves are to the tune of? 120 lacs. The company has advanced to other companies to the tune of ? 180 lacs, as on 30th November, 2011. On this date, the Board of directors of the company wants to advance ? 35 lacs to Vasudha Textiles Ltd., without the prior permission of the shareholders in a general meeting. Discuss the correctness of the proposal.
Answer:
According to Section 186:
1. A company can use 60% of its paid up capital and free reserves and Securities Premium A/c or 100% of its free reserves and Securities Premium A/c whichever is more, as loan to any other company or as guarantee for loan made by any other person or as consideration for acquisition of shares of any other company.

2. It is further provided in the same Section 186 that if the limits as provided above is exceeded for any loans, guarantee or investments, such further loans, guarantees or investments should be given only after passing a special resolution in a general meeting authorizing these loans, guarantees or investments.

3. Thus worded differently, according to Section 186 the company cannot give loan, provide security, provide guarantee or make investments exceeding 60% of its paid capital and free reserves and Securities Premium A/c or 100% of its free reserves and Securities Premium A/c which ever is more except with the previous authorization of general meeting by a special resolution.

The approval of members is not required, even if the ceiling or limits as set in Section 186 is exceeded, in the following cases:

  • Banking company;
  • Insurance company;
  • Housing financial company;
  • Any company whose principal business is acquisition of shares.

4. Any investment made in shares acquired as rights as per Section 62 of Companies Act, 2013.

5. Any loans made or guarantee given by a holding company to its wholly owned subsidiary company.

In the present case – the BOD of the company cannot advance ₹ 35 lacs to Vasudha Textiles Ltd. without the prior permission of the shareholders in general meeting.

Question 19.
Amulya Ltd. has received an application for transfer of 1,000 equity shares of ₹ 10 each fully paid-up in favour of Amar. On scrutiny of the application form, it was found that Amar is a minor. Advise the company regarding the contractual liability of a minor and whether shares can be allotted to Amar by way of transfer.
Answer :
Under Companies Act, does not provide any qualification for membership. Membership entails an agreement enforceable in a Tribunal of law. Hence, the contractual capacity as envisaged by the Indian Contract Act, 1872 should be taken into consideration.

It was held in the case of Mohiri Bibi vs. Dharmadas Ghosh that since minor is not competent to contract, he cannot become a member of a company. In India, a contract with a minor is absolutely null and void. A minor can become a member of a company in respect of fully paid shares only, provided he acquires them by way of transfer or transmission.

In the given case, M/s Amulya Ltd. can give membership to the minor through 1000 shares, received by way of transfer, because the shares are fully paid-up and no further liability is attached to this.

Question 20.
(a) The articles of association of a listed company has fixed payment of sitting fee for each meeting of directors subject to a maximum of ₹ 1,00,000. In view of increased responsibilities of independent directors ot listed companies, the company proposes to increase the sitting fee to ₹ 1,25,000 per meeting. As a Company Secretary, advise the company about the requirements under the Companies Act, 2013 to give effect to this proposal.

(b) What is meant by compoundable and non-compoundable offences? State whether the following offences are compoundable or non – compoundable also mentioning the authority which can compound the offence in case of compoundable offences :

  • Failure to hold an annual General Meeting of the company.
  • Failure to file copies of financial statements with the Registrar of Companies.
  • An officer of a company who inspite of Tribunal’s order to vacate the company’s property, continues to occupy the same.
  • Non-distribution of dividend to the members within the prescribed time.

Answer:
(a) Sitting fees to Directors for attending the meetings [Section 197(5)]:
The Central Government through rules prescribed that the amount of – sitting fees payable to a Director for attending meetings of the Boards or Committees thereof may be such as may be decided by the Board of Directors or the Remuneration Committee thereof which shall not exceed the sum of ₹ 1 lakh per meeting of the Board or Committee thereof. The Board may decide different fee payable to independent and non-independent Directors other than whole time Directors.

Any increase in the sitting fee will require amendment of relevant provision of the Articles of Association. In the given case, the proposed sitting fee of ₹ 1,25,000 will require approval of the Central Government as the same exceeds the prescribed limits.

(b) Offences to be Non – Cognizable (Section 439):
All offenses are non-cognizable except offenses referred to SFIO – Every offence under this Act except the offences referred to in Sub – Section (6) of Section 212 (Section 212 deals with investigation of offences by SFIO, which is discussed elsewhere in this lesson) shall be deemed to be non – cognizable within the meaning of the said code. When Tribunal can take cognizance of any offence₹

No Tribunal shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act except on the complaint of –

  • the Registrar in writing,
  • a shareholder of the company,
  • a person authorised by the Central Government.

The Tribunal may take cognizance of offences relating to issue and transfer of securities and non – payment of dividend on complaint in writing by a person authorised by the Securities and Exchange Board of India.

When the complainant is the Registrar or a person authorised by the Central Government, the presence of such officer before the Tribunal trying the offence shall not be necessary. The Tribunal may require personal attendance of these complainants at the trial.

Compounding of Offences (Section 441):
(1) Any offence punishable (whether committed by a company or any officer there of with fine only and where the maximum amount of fine which may be imposed for such offence does not exceed twenty five lakh rupees, may, be compounded by the Regional Director;

(2) Any offence punishable under this Act (whether committed by a company or any officer thereof) with fine only and where the maximum amount of fine which may be imposed for such offence exceeds five lakh rupees, may, be compounded by the Tribunal;

(3) The offences which are punishable with Fine or Imprisonment; fine or Imprisonment or with both may be compoundable with the permission of Special Tribunal.

(4) Any offence which is punishable under this Act with imprisonment only or with imprisonment and also with fine shall not be compoundable.

Note:
Offences maybe compounded by :

  • Regional Director
  • National Company Law Tribunal
  • Special Tribunal

Question 21.
The principal business of Grow Fast Ltd. was the acquisition of vacant plots of land and to build/erect houses. In the course of transacting the business, the Chairman of the company acquired the knowledge of arranging finance for the development of land. Grow Fast Ltd. introduced a financier to another company Ajay Ltd. and received an agreed fee of ₹ 2 lakh for arranging the finance.

The memorandum of association of the company authorises the company to carry on any other trade or business which in the opinion of the Board of directors can be advantageously carried on by the company in connection with the company’s general business. Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, examine the validity of the contract carried out by Grow Fast Ltd. with Ajay Ltd.
Answer:
The principal business of Grow Fast Ltd. was acquisition of vacant plots of land and to build houses. The company had entered into contract for ‘ arranging finance for the development of land to the company Ajay Ltd. The company can do so after making alteration to the MOA as per Section 13 of the Companies Act, 2013. Provides that alteration in the provisions of Memorandum by passing a special resolution in General Meeting. Hence, the contract is not valid until alteration of Memorandum as suggested above.

Question 22.
Draft the following. In case of a resolution, state the type of meeting to consider such resolution and the nature of the resolution together with any special requirement attached to it. In respect of the rest, mention (a) who can issue the same; and (b) the basis for the issuance.

Investment in the equity of MNO Ltd., which is a subsidiary of the investing company where the investing company already holds 68% of the equity of the investee company and wants to bring it to 85% of the equity by acquisition of the equity shares of other holders of such shares by private agreement. This acquisition will take the investing company’s inter-corporate investment, loan, guarantee, etc., to a level exceeding 150% of the paid-up share capital and free reserves of the investing company whose free reserves constitute 30% of the paid-up capital representing equity and preference shares issued by the company.
Answer:
Type of Meeting : General Meeting

Type of Resolution : Special Resolution as this investment is not falling in category of exempted investment and is exceeding the limits specified in Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Resolution:
“Pursuant to Section 186 read with Section 179 of the Companies Act, 2013, and if any other applicable provision of Companies Act the Board of Directors of the company is hereby authorized to acquire ……….. equity shares of ₹ 10 each, aggregating of ₹ ……….. at an amount of ₹ ……….. with a premium of 20% in MNO Ltd., a subsidiary of the company, from MNO Ltd., which held these shares, by a private purchase agreement, a draft of which was placed before the meeting.

The Board of Directors of the company is hereby authorized to do all such things including acts, deeds, etc. as would be considered by it as necessary/expedient in the circumstances of the investment.”

Question 23.
Draft the following. In case of a resolution, state the type of meeting to consider such resolution and the nature of the resolution together with any special requirement attached to it. In respect of the rest, mention (a) who can issue the same; and (b) the basis for the issuance:

Notice from an unlisted public company for holding an extra-ordinary General Meeting for consideration of the Board’s proposal to buy-back 15% of the paid-up equity share capital (no explanatory statement is required).
Answer:
Who can issue – The notice can be issued by the Secretary of the Company, if so authorized by the Board or by a Director authorized by the Board. Basis – Section 68 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Specimen of Notice of General Meeting
Notice
Notice is hereby given that the Extraordinary General Meeting of the XYZ Limited will be held on ________, 2013 at 11.00 a.m. at the registered office of the Company at Mumbai to consider and if thought fit, to pass the following resolution as a Special Resolution, with or without modification.

“RESOLVED THAT pursuant to the provision of Sections 68,69,70 and all other applicable provisions, if any, of the Companies Act, 2013, and the provisions contained in the Private Limited Company and Unlisted public Limited Company (Buy-Back of Securities) Rules, 2014, prescribed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs including such modifications or re-enactment of the Act or the Rules and subject to such other approvals, permissions and sanctions as may be necessary and subject to such conditions and modifications as may be prescribed while granting such approvals, permissions and sanctions which may be agreed by the Board of Directors of the Company, the consent of the Company be and is hereby accorded to the Board to purchase its own equity fully paid-up equity shares of ₹ 100/- each upto a maximum of 20,082 equity shares of ₹ 100/- each being 15% of the paid-up equity share capital of the Company to be bought back from the existing shareholders of the Company at a price of ₹ 625/- per share payable in cash.

RESOLVED FURTHER that the Directors of the Company be and are hereby authorized to carry out the aforesaid buying back of securities and to take every step that may be necessary in connection therewith or incidental thereto give effect to the above resolution or to accept any change or modification as may be suggested by the appropriate authorities or advisors.

Mumbai
2013

By Order of the Board
Mr. A
Director

 

Question 24.
MR. ADAM a 15% shareholder of a company and other shareholders have lost confidence in the Managing Director (MD) of the company. He is a director not liable to retire by rotation and was re-appointed as Managing Director for 5 years w.e.f. 1.4.2012 in the last Annual General Meeting of the company.
Mr. Adam seeks your advice to remove the MD after following the procedure laid down under the Companies Act, 2013:
(i) Specify the steps to be taken by Mr. Adam and the company in his behalf;
(ii) Draft a suitable resolution to be passed for removal of MD;
(iii) Is it necessary to state reasons to support the resolution for his removal?
Answer:
(i)

  • Under Section 169 of the Companies Act, 2013, a company may, by ordinary resolution, remove a director before the expiry of his tenure.
  • For the purpose, special notice from a shareholder (Mr. Adam in the present case) shall be required to be given to the company for moving a resolution to remove a director.
  • On receipt of notice, the .company shall forthwith send a copy thereof to the director concerned (MD In the present case) and he shall be entitled to be heard on the proposed resolution at the meeting.
  • Copy of the representation, if any, made by the director be also sent to all members of the company to whom notice of the general meeting is normally sent.
  • In case, the representation is received too late, the same shall be read at the meeting. The representation need not be sent if the Company Law Board (now Tribunal) is satisfied that it will cause needless publicity for defamatory matter.
  • Under Section 115 (Resolution requiring special notice), special notice of the intention to move the resolution shall be given not less than 14 days before the meeting.

In the present case, if the AGM is due to be held, Mr. Adam may send the special notice 14 days before the AGM. He already holds more than 10% shares in the company. Once the ordinary resolution is passed in the general meeting, MD will cease to be a director of the company and consequently MD of the company.

(ii) Mr. Adam may give special notice of his intention to move the following resolution, as ordinary resolution: “RESOLVED THAT Mr ………. Managing Director of the Company be and is hereby removed as a director of the company under Section 169 of the Companies Act, 2013 with immediate effect.”

(iii) A statement of reasons is not necessary to support the resolution for removal of a director. LIC vs. Escorts Ltd.(2013) 59 Comp. Cases 548 (SC)

Question 25.
You being a Company Secretary, have been appointed as the Compliance Officer of your company which is proposed to be listed pursuant to an IPO with National Stock Exchange. State in brief your responsibilities with regard to insider trading, specially to facilitate a level playing field for public investors and shareholders of the company.
Answer:
1. According to the Model Code of Conduct for prevention of insider trading, every company to which the SEBI (Prohibition of insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 apply, has to appoint a compliance officer who is generally the Company Secretary of the company.

2. He is then a link between the SEBI and the management or officers and employees of the company. He is required to report on the compliance status from time to time to the Managing Director/Chief Operating Officer and also periodically inform the Board.

3. As the penal provisions of SEBI are very stringent, he is expected to keep a watch particularly during closed period or when trading window is closed with an objective of guiding directors/officers/designated employees of the company.

Role of Company Secretary in Compliance Requirements: The obligations cast upon the company secretary in relation to insider trading regulations can be summarized as under:
1. The Company Secretary acts as Compliance Officer and ensures compliance with SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 including maintenance of various documents.

2. To frame a code of fair disclosure and conduct in line with the model code specified in the Schedule A of the regulations and get the same approved by the board of directors of the company.

3. To place before the board the “minimum standards for Code of Conduct” to regulate, monitor and report trading by insiders as enumerated in the Schedule B of the regulations.

4. To receive initial disclosure from every Promoter, KMP and director or every person on appointment as KMP or director or becoming a Promoter
shall disclose its shareholding in the prescribed form withm :

  • 30 days from these regulations taking effect or
  • 7 days of such appointment or becoming a promoter

5. To receive from every Promoter, employee and director, continual disclosures of the number of securities acquired or disposed of and changes therein, even if the value of the securities traded, exceeds ₹ 10 lakhs with single or series of transaction in any calendar quarter in prescribed form within two trading days of:

  • receipt of the disclosure or
  • from becoming aware of such information

6. To ensure that no trading shall between 20th day prior to closure of financial period and 2nd trading day after disclosure of financial results.

7. The compliance officer shall approve the trading plan and after the approval of the trading plan, the compliance officer shall notify the plan to the stock exchanges on which the securities are listed.

8. The Compliance Officer shall maintain records of all the declarations given by the directors/designated employees/partners in the appropriate form for a minimum period of three years.

9. The compliance officer has to take additional undertakings from the insiders for approval of the trading plan. Such trading plan on approval will also be disclosed to the stock exchanges, where the securities of the company are listed.

10. To maintain confidentially list of such securities as a “restricted list” which shall be used as the basis for approving or rejecting applications for pre – clearance of trades.

11. To monitor of trades and the implementation of the code of conduct under the overall supervision of the Board of the listed company.

12. To frame and then to monitor adherence to the rules for the preservation of “Price sensitive information”.

13. To suggest any improvements required in the policies, procedures, etc. to ensure effective implementation of the code.

14. To assist in addressing any clarifications regarding the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 and the company’s code of conduct.

15. To maintain a list of all information termed as ‘price sensitive information’.

16. To maintain a record of names of files containing confidential information deemed to be price sensitive information and persons in charge of the same.

17. To ensure that files containing confidential information shall be kept secured.

18. To keep records of periods specified as ‘close period’ and the’Trading window’

19. To ensure that the trading restrictions are strictly observed and that all directors/officers/designed employees conduct all their dealings in the securities of the company only in a valid trading window and do not deal in the company’s securities during the period when the trading window is closed.

20. To receive and maintain records of periodic and annual statement of holdings from directors/officers/designated employees and their dependent family members.

21. To implement the punitive measures or disciplinary action for any violation or contravention of the code of conduct.

22. To ensure that the “Trading Window” is closed at the time of:

  • Declaration of financial results (quarterly, half-yearly and annual).
  • Declaration of dividends (“interim and final)
  • Issue of securities by way of public/right/bonus etc.
  • Any Major expansion plans or execution of new projects.
  • Amalgamation, mergers, takeovers and buy-back.
  • Disposal of whole or substantially whole of the undertaking.
  • Any change in policies, plans or operations of the company.

23. The Compliance Officer shall place before the Chief Executive Officer/Partner or a committee notified by the organization/firm, on a monthly basis all the details of the dealing in the securities by designated employees/directors/partners of the organization/firm.

Question 26.
Board of directors of a listed company finds that some of its equity shareholders have not responded to the notice of the company calling for payment of first and final call money of ₹ 5 per share on which ₹ 5 per share has already been paid-up. Your advice is sought to send a notice to those shareholders fixing a time-limit of 3 weeks from the date of the notice and cautioning them that if the company does not receive payment of calls-in-arrears within the period specified, their shares will be liable to be forfeited. Draft a letter to be issued to the defaulting shareholders with the authority of the Board.
Answer:
Letter to Defaulting Shareholders Requiring them to Pay the First and Final Call Money within Stipulated Time
XYZ Limited Regd. Off. Address
Ref. No ……….
Dated: December, 26, 2013
Registered Post with AD
Shri/Smt
Dear Shareholder,
Subject :
1. Payment of the first and final call money of ₹ 5 per share due on equity shares of the company allotted to you.
2. Final notice before forfeiture

Pursuant to Articles ………… and …………. of the Articles of Association of the company, and on the authority of the resolution of the Board of Directors of the company passed at its. meeting held on 02 November, 2013, notice was given to you requiring you to pay the first and final call money of ₹ 5 per share on all partly paid equity shares of the company, on or before the 2nd Day of December, 2013.

It is observed that you have not yet paid the call money on Equity shares allotted to you even after the due date for which you are liable to pay interest @ 12% per annum as per Article no ……… of the Articles of Association of the company.

Under the authority of the Board of Directors of the company, you are hereby called upon to pay the said first and final call money of ₹ 5 per share on ……… equity shares allotted to you with interest @ 12% per annum amounting to ₹ ……… on or before 16th Day of January, 2014 and in the event of non-payment on or before the day so named, the shares in respect of which the call was made are liable to be forfeited.

We trust you will honour your obligation under the Articles of Association of the company within the aforesaid date and avoid the inevitable consequence of forfeiture of your shares.
Thanking you,
Yours faithfully for XYZ Limited
(Company Secretary)

Question 27.
Board of directors of XYZ Ltd. having decided to get its shares listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd. and the National Stock Exchange Ltd., desires to include the requisite clauses in its articles of association for dematerialisation of shares and securities issued by the company. You are required to draft a notice convening an extraordinary general meeting of the company including suitable resolution with explanatory statement for this purpose.
Answer:
XYZ Limited
Regd. Off. Address

Dated : December, 26,2013

Notice is hereby given that the Extraordinary General Meeting of the XYZ Limited will be held on Monday, the 27th January 2014 at 11.00 a.m. at the registered office of the Company at Mumbai to consider and if thought fit, to pass, with or without modification, the following resolution as a Special Resolution:

“RESOLVED THAT pursuant to Section 14 of the Companies Act, 2013, the articles of association of the company be and are hereby altered in the following manner:
After article No…,the following be inserted as article No Article ……. Dematerialisation of Securities
(a) Definitions

(b) Dematerialisation of Securities – Notwithstanding anything contained in these articles, the company shall be entitled to dematerialise its securities and to offer securities in a dematerialised form pursuant to the Depositories Act, 1996.

(c) Options for investors – Every person subscribing to securities offered by the company shall have the option to receive security certificates or to hold the securities with a depository. Such a person who is the beneficial owner of the securities can at any time opt out of a depository, if permitted by the applicable law.

(d) Securities in Depositories to be in Fungible Form

(e) Distinctive Numbers of Securities held in a Depository – Nothing contained in the Act or these articles regarding the necessity of having distinctive numbers for securities issued by the company shall apply to securities held with a depository.

(f) Rights of Depositories and Beneficial Owners

  • A depository shall be deemed to be the registered owner for the purposes of effecting transfer of ownership of security on behalf of the beneficial owner
  • Save as otherwise provided in (i) above, the depository as the registered owner of the securities shall not have any voting rights or any other rights in respect of the securities held by it.
  • Every person holding securities of the company and whose name is entered as the beneficial owner in the records of the depository shall be deemed to be a member of the company.

(g) Service of Documents – Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Act or these articles, where securities are held in a depository, the records of the beneficial ownership may be served by such depository on the company by means of electronic mode or by delivery of floppies or discs.

(h) Transfer of Securities – Nothing contained in Section 56 of Companies Act, 2013 or these articles shall apply to a transfer of securities effected by a transferor and transferee both of whom are entered as beneficial owners in the records of a depository.

(i) Allotment of Securities Dealt in a Depository:
Notwithstanding anything contained in the Act or these articles, where securities are dealt in a depository, the company shall intimate the details thereof to the depository immediately on allotment and/or registration of transfer of such securities.

(j) Register and Index of Beneficial Owners:
The register and index of beneficial owners maintained by a depository under the Depositories Act, 1996, shall be deemed to be the register and index of members and security holders for the purposes of these articles.

Question 28.
A company declared dividend at an Annual General Meeting for the financial year ended 31st March, 2013 without providing for depreciation on certain immovable properties on the ground that these assets were acquired as investment for the purpose of the earning supplementary income, though shown in the balance sheet under the head “Fixed Assets”, and not for the purpose of any business carried on by the company. If the company had provided depreciation on the said immovable properties, the company would have suffered loss for the financial year ended 31st March, 2013.
Answer the following in the context of the above and with reference of The Companies Act, 2013:
(i) Is it in order for the company to declare dividend for the financial year ended 31st March, 2013 without providing for depreciation on certain immovable properties₹

(ii) Is it possible for the Board of Directors of the company to revoke the dividend which has been declared at the Annual General Meeting?
Answer:
(i) According to Section 127 of the Companies Act, 2013, a company can declare and pay dividend only after making adequate provisions for depreciation as provided in the Act. It is immaterial whether the assets are used for the purpose of business of the company or as investment for earning supplementary income so long as these assets are not intended for resale i.e. stock-in-trade. As the provisions of Section 127 are mandatory in nature, it is not in order for the company to declare dividend for the financial year ended 31st March, 2013 without providing for depreciation on certain immovable properties. Further the financial statement for the financial , year ended 31st March, 2013 cannot be said to show a true and fair view of the state of affairs.

(ii) Ordinarily a dividend once declared becomes a debt and cannot be revoked except with the consent of the shareholders, because the i declaration of dividend creates a debt to the shareholders in whose favour it is declared. But where a dividend has been declared illegally as in this case, the Board of Directors will be justified in revoking the declaration of dividend.

Question 29.
A listed company having paid-up capital of ₹ 4.5 crore, not employing a Company Secretary, is in need of a compliance certificate in accordance with the proviso to Section Rule 8 of Companies Act, 2013. If you as a Practicing Company Secretary are approached to issue the compliance certificate, how will you go about the task of issue of compliance certificate to that company. What are the documents, records and information you will ask the company to produce for verification before issue of ‘compliance certificate’.
Answer:
Before the issue of compliance certificate, the practicing company secretary must ensure that in case he is appointed for the first time, a board resolution has been passed in respect of his appointment or he is in possession of an engagement letter. In case he is being appointed in place of a Practicing Company Secretary who has issued the Compliance Certificate in the previous year, he shall send prior intimation to him as stipulated in the Code of Conduct of ICSI. Before issuance of compliance certificate, the practicing company secretary shall call for the following registers and records for his scrutiny:

  1. Register of members of the company;
  2. Registers/records of all share transfers, transmission, duplicate share certificate issued by the company during the year for which the compliance certificate is to be issued;
  3. Minutes books and attendance record of Board Meeting & General Meeting;
  4. Register of directors, managing director, manager and secretary under Section 170 of Companies Act, 2013;
  5. Register of contracts, companies and firms in which directors are interested under Section 189 of Companies Act, 2013;
  6. Register of directors’ shareholdings under Section 170 of Companies Act, 2013;
  7. Register of charges under Section 85 of Companies Act, 2013;
  8. Register of loans and advances, investment under Section 186 of Companies Act, 2013;
  9. List of shares or debentures, if any, issued during the year;
  10. List of preference shares or debentures, if any, redeemed during the year;
  11. List of shares purchased under the buy-back scheme under Section 68 of Companies Act, 2013;
  12. Copies of approvals, if any, received from the Regional Directors under Section 188 of Companies Act, 2013;
  13. Memorandum and articles of association of the company;
  14. Certificate under Section 164 of Companies Act, 2013; furnished by the directors of the company;
  15. List of employees from whom security, if any collected by the company during the year;
  16. List of depositors & deposits showing the amount deposited, date of deposit, interest payment details and evidence of payment of interest & repayment of deposits on due dates;
  17. Newspapers showing the date of publication on book closures or record dates fixed during the year.

Question 30.
A.K. Property Developers Ltd. engaged in the business of real estate and construction of commercial and residential complexes has been making very good progress and recorded double the profit for the year ended on 31st March, 2013 than the previous year. The company declared and paid 40% dividend to the shareholders for the previous year ended 31st March, 2012. The company having invested its funds heavily in acquiring land for future development finds it difficult to mobilise funds to pay dividend to shareholders. Managing Director of the company is planning to get the Board’s approval for declaration of bonus shares out of the huge accumulated free-reserves of that company to satisfy the shareholders and thus manage the cash flow problem by skipping dividend. As the Secretary of the company, what will be your advice, if the Board of directors tends to decide in line with the Managing Director’s proposal.
Answer:
No dividend can be paid by a company except in cash. However, the prohibition against payment of dividend otherwise than in cash, is not deemed to prohibit the capitalization of profits or reserves. [Section 123 of Companies Act, 2013].

Under SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018, a listed company is prohibited from issuing bonus shares in lieu of dividend. The SEBI Guidelines apply to listed companies.

Thus, if A.K. Property Developers Ltd. is a Listed Company, it is prohibited from issuing bonus shares, as it may tantamount to such an issue being in lieu of dividend.

To overcome this situation, it is suggested that a Board meeting be held to consider recommending a nominal dividend for the year ended March 31, 2013, recommend increase of authorized capital to accommodate the bonus issue (if necessary) and also the bonus issue. The recommendations would require approval of the members in general meeting.

After obtaining the approvals, the company is required to comply with the following:

  1. Payment of dividend;
  2. Arrange for payment of dividend complying with the provisions of Section 123 of Companies Act, 2013;
  3. Increase of authorized share capital;
  4. File e-Form No. PAS- 3 together with the copy of the resolution passed in general meeting for increase of authorized share capital and the altered Memorandum together with the differential fees for increase in authorized share capital;
  5. For making Bonus issue:
    (i) File e-Form No. MGT-14 in respect of resolution passed in general meeting with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days of the date of passing the resolution.
    (ii) Finalize the list of allottees and file e-Form No. PAS- 3 with the Registrar of Companies within 15 days of allotment and issue share certificates to the allottees within 3 months from the date of allotment.

However, if A.K. Property Developers Ltd. is an unlisted public company, the above stated SEBI Regulations do not apply and consequently, the prohibition on issue of bonus shares in lieu of dividend is not applicable in their case.

Question 31.
(a) Examine whether the following transactions can be considered as a loan to a director requiring approval of the Central Government under Section 185 of Companies Act, 2013.
(i) A public company secures residential accommodation for the use of its managing director by entering into an arrangement under which the company has to deposit a certain amount with the landlord to secure compliance with the terms of the agreement.

(ii) A public company purchases a flat which is subsequently sold to a director at the prevailing market price out of which the director pays 50% immediately and contracts to pay the balance in 10 equal annual installments.

(b) A was appointed director of the company in its annual general meeting. He#took over the office and started acting on behalf of the company as its director. Subsequently it was found that the appointment of the director was not valid because in the meeting where he was appointed certain members who had voted were not qualified to vote and certain members had voted twice by mistake. There were also certain mistakes in the counting of the votes. As such, the appointment of the director was held to be invalid. Would the acts of A, done by him as director be valid and binding upon the company?
Answer:
(a) (i) The deposit of the cost of purchase of the property cannot be regarded as a loan or advance to the M.D. or book debt attracting the provisions of Section 185 of The Companies Act, 2013. It is no concern of the M.D. on what terms the company secures premises for residential accommodation for him.

(ii) In a petition in Dr. Fredie Ardeshir Mehta v. Union of India the Bombay High Court came to the conclusion that a company selling one of its flats to one of its directors on receiving half price in cash and agreeing to accept the balance in installments does not give a loan to the director. It is a credit sale. It cannot be described even as an indirect loan. In view of this decision, the transaction in question does not amount to a loan to a director requiring approval of the Central Government.

(b) Yes, According to Section 176 (Defects in appointment of directors not to invalidate actions taken) of the Companies Act, 2013 all the acts of a director are valid notwithstanding the fact that his appointment is afterward discovered to be invalid, by reason of any default and defect in his appointment.

  • This is to protect outsiders as well as members dealing with the company.
  • In this case the defects in the appointment of the director were found out subsequent to his appointment.
  • The director had no knowledge of the defects until he had started acting as a director.
  • The validity of the acts of the director cannot be questioned just on the basis of irregularities
  • subsequently discovered in the appointment of the director.
  • All the acts done by director are valid and binding on the company.

Question 32.
The Board of directors of Vir Ltd. declared an interim dividend for the second time during the financial year 2012-13. Aftar declaration, the Board of directors decided to revoke the second interim dividend as they noticed that the company’s financial position did not permit to declare second interim dividend. The Board of directors seeks your advice in the matter. As the Secretary of the company, advise the Board.
Answer:
The Board of Directors may declare interim dividend and the amount of dividend including interim dividend shall be deposited in a separate bank account within five days from the date of declaration of such dividend.

The amount of dividend including interim dividend so deposited under Sub-section (1A) shall be used for payment of interim dividend. A dividend when declared becomes a debt and a shareholder is entitled to sue for recovery of the same after expiry of the period of 30 days prescribed under Section 127 of Companies Act, 2013, in Re Severn and Wye & Severn Bridge Rly. Co. (1896) 1, Ch 559. Section 2(14A) defines ‘Dividend’ to include interim dividend. Therefore, the interim dividend once declared becomes debt and payable within 30 days of declaration. A dividend including interim dividend once declared cannot be revoked, except with the consent of the shareholders.

Question 33.
An Audit Committee of a Public Limited Company constituted under Section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013 submitted its report of its recommendation to the Board. The Board however did not accept the recommendations. In the light of the situation, State whether:
(i) The Board is empowered not to accept the recommendations of the Audit Committee.
(ii) If so, what alternative course of action, would be Board resort to?
(iii) As a chairman of the Audit Committee, how would you respond to the situation?
Answer:
(i) As per Section 177(Audit Committee), the Board’s report under Section 134 shall disclose the composition of the Audit Committee and where the Board had not accepted any recommendation of the Audit Committee, the same shall be disclosed in such report along with the reasons therefore.

(ii) If the Board does not accept the recommendation of the Audit Committee, it shall record the reasons therefore and communicate such reasons to the shareholders.

(iii) The chairman of the Audit Committee shall attend the Annual General Meeting(s) of the company to provide any clarifications on matters relating to Audit.

Amended made by Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017:
(i) in sub-section (1), for the words “every listed company”, the words “every listed public company” shall be substituted;

(ii) in sub-section (4), in clause (iv), after the proviso, the following provisos shall be inserted, namely: Provided further that in case of transaction, other than transactions referred to in Section 188, and where Audit Committee does not approve the transaction, it shall make its recommendations to the Board:

Provided also that in case any transaction involving any amount not exceeding one crore rupees is entered into by a director or officer of the company without obtaining the approval of the Audit Committee and it is not ratified by the Audit Committee within three months from the date of the transaction, such transaction shall be voidable at the option of the Audit Committee and if the transaction is with the related party to any director or is authorised by any other director, the director concerned shall indemnify the company against any loss incurred by it:

Provided also that the provisions of this clause shall not apply to a transaction, other than a transaction referred to in section 188, between a holding company and its wholly owned subsidiary company.

Question 34.
MNC Ltd. has on its Board 5 directors, out of which 4 directors are foreigners and they reside in Italy. The company wants to convene a Board meeting in Chennai on 1st June, 2014 while all the 4 directors residing in Italy are preoccupied and are not in a position to travel to India for the meeting. Advice the company.
Answer:

  1. The directors of a Company may participate in a meeting of Board/Committee of directors under the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 through electronic mode.
  2. Electronic mode means video conference facility i.e. audio-visual electronic communication facility employed which enables all persons participating in that meeting to communicate concurrently with each other without an intermediary and to participate effectively in the meeting.
  3. A director participating in a meeting through use of video conferencing shall be counted for the purpose of quorum.
  4. The minutes shall also disclose the particulars of the directors who attend the meeting through electronic mode.
  5. The meeting shall be deemed to be taken place where chairman is physically present.
  6. Therefore to convene board meeting in Chennai, 5th director shall act as chairman and shall be physically present in Chennai.

Question 35.
The Chairman of X Ltd. convened a Board , meeting for which he sent a proper two weeks notice. Some of the members of the Board objected on the ground that no proper agenda for the meeting was,circulated. They seek to question the validity of convening the meeting. Advise.
Answer:
The agenda is complied by secretary, possibly in collaboration with the Chairman or Managing Director. The law does not require an agenda for meetings of the Board to be sent. [Abnash Kaur v. Lord Krishan Sugar Mills Ltd. (1974) 44 Com Cases 390, 413 (Del)] Board of Directors can transact business even without a formal agenda [Sunil Dev v. Delhi & District Cricket Association, (1994) 80 Com Cases 174 (Del)]. It is not necessary that an agenda for directors’ meeting should be specified [Maharashtra Power Development Corpn. Ltd. V. Dabhol Power Co., (2004) 120 Com Cases 560 (Bom)].

Question 36.
Speed Ltd. wants to recruit Anil as the Managing Director of the company, while he is already the Managing Director of Sprint Ltd. Advise the company referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and draft a suitable Board resolution for the appointment.
Answer:
According to Section 203 of the Companies Act, 2013, a public company may appoint a person as its Managing Director if he is already a Managing Director of only one other company. If such an appointment is made by a resolution passed at a duly convened and held meeting of the Board of Directors of the company, the resolution should have been approved nemine contradicente (“nobody contradicting”) with the consent of all the directors present at the meeting and of which meeting and of the resolution to be moved thereat, specific notice has been given to all the directors then in India.

Board Resolution for appointment of a Person as Managing Director, who is Managing Director of another company:
“RESOLVED THAT concent of all the directors present at the meeting be and is hereby accorded to the appointment of Shri who is Managing Director of Sprint Ltd. also, as the Managing Director of this company without any remuneration and the Managing Director shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as the Board of Directors may, from time to time require him to exercise and perform.”

Question 37.
Smart Ltd. has borrowed a term loan from Genius Bank based on a charge on its fixed assets and necessary charge filing has been done by the company with the Registrar of Companies. Advise the company, if any modification of charge is required to be filed in the following events:
(i) Genius Bank increased the interest rate from 12% p.a. to 13% p.a.
(ii) The term loan provided for interest rate to be charged at 2% over the bank rate notified by RBI. The bank rate has been revised from 8% to 9% by RBI and consequently, the interest rate increased from 10% to 11%.
(iii) The term loan provided for interest rate to be charged at 2% over the prime lending rate (PLR) fixed by Genius Bank. The PLR was revised by Genius Bank from 8% to 9%.
Answer:
A variation in the rate of interest payable on the loan amount by the borrowing company to the lending institution or the bank will constitute a modification of charge.

(However, it may be covered by the term of the original charge by adding the words “or such rates as may be charged from time to time”). However, if the rate of interest has been fixed on the loan documents, at a specified percentage above the bank rate as notified by the RBI, any change arising as a result of any variation in the bank rate would not amount to a change in the ‘term’ of the charge under section 79 of Companies Act, 2013 as such and hence in such a case no return need to be filed under the said section. In other cases of variation of rate of interest, Section 79 would be applicable required to be filed with the ROC, unless the change is consequent upon a change in the bank rate notified by the RBI [Letter No. 8/6/81-CL-V dated 14th April, 1981]. Considering this:

  • For the modification mentioned in 3(b)(i), filing of modification of charge is required.
  • For the modification referred in 3(b)(ii), filing of modification of charge is not required, as it pertaining to revision of bank rate by RBI.
  • For the modification referred to in 3(b)(iii), filing of modification of charge is required as it is the Genius Bank that has revised the PLR.

Question 38.
Ganesh, who possesses valid share certificate of a company covering 1,000 equity shares is claiming title to the shares but his name is not recorded in the Register of members of the company. Ganesh also has the document evidencing the payment of call money against the above shares. But against the shares held by him, Suresh is recorded as a member in the Register of members. Advise the company on resolving the title dispute.
Answer:
1. Under Section 2(55) of Companies Act, 2013, a person cannot be made a member unless his name is entered on the register as a member.

2. If one is a member in the books of the company, it is he alone who would be entitled to exercise the rights of a shareholder, viz. to vote or to receive the dividend payable in respect of the share and it certainly follows that he alone is liable for share calls or to be put on the list of contributories in case the company is wound up.

3. Although a member may be merely a trustee to the knowledge of the company, he is liable for calls and other obligations of his membership.

4. [Murshidabad Loan Office Ltd. v. Satish Chandra Chakravarty (1943) 13 Com Cases 159 (Cal): AIR 1943 Cal 440].

5. Where the title to shares in question was in dispute, the appellant was directed to take necessary steps to establish his title first and then approach the NCLT. Upon the appellant getting the title established through the NCLT, the appeal filed under Section 111 was allowed and the company was directed to register the transfer in the appellant’s name. [Amar Nath Berry v. Orissa Textile Mills Ltd. Appeal No. 21 of 1972]

In another case, NCLT has prescribed certain tests to be applied in case of dispute as to title. NCLT has held that in case of a dispute as to whether the petitioner is a shareholder or not, when the name is not shown on the register of members; certain tests are to applied as to (1) whether the person is in possession of the original share certificates to claim the membership, (2) whether there are independent records to establish that he is a member of the company, (3) whether the company has treated the petitioner as a member of the company in the past. [In Banford Investment Ltd. v. Magadh Spun Pipe Ltd. (1998) 93 Com Cases 685 (NCLT)].

In the given case since Ganesh possesses share certificate and there is an evidence of call money payment also, his name may be entered in the register of members.

Question 39.
(a) Well Spun Synthetics Ltd. has made allotment of shares. It was completed on 18th February, 2014. The ten weeks’ time-limit shall expire on 24th April, 2014? When would the liability of the company to refund the excess amount begin, 18th February, 2014 or 24th April, 2014? Discuss with the help of relevant case law.

(b) The memorandum of a company contains investment activity as its main object. The company has diversified into other activities but continues to do business activities of investment in shares and securities. However, there is substantial reduction in its investment in shares and securities. With reference to Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013, can the company continue to be regarded as investment company? is income from business an important criterion here? Discuss with reference to relevant case law.

(c) Indus Ltd. has changed its name. There is no alternation in the constitution or legal status of the company. The fact of alternation of name was not brought to the notice of the Tribunal. The company has the power to execute a decree in its old name. Has the company right to execute a decree in its new name after change of name?

(d) Beach SA, a company incorporated in France, wants to set-up a branch in India. Advise Beach SA, regarding provisions to be complied with. Will it make any difference if 50% of the paid-up share capital of Beach SA, is held by Indian citizens?
Answer:
(a) In Raymond Synthetics Ltd. v. Union of India (1992) 73 Com. Cases 1 (1991) 3 Comp L.J. 1 (Bombay DB), the decision of the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court was to the effect that liability to refund excess amounts would begin from the date of allotment if completed earlier than ten weeks because the excess amount having become known, there was no point in withholding its refund upto the expiry of ten weeks. Thus in the given case the liability of the company to refund the excess begin on 18th February 2014.

(b) 1. Income from business is not the criterion for judging whether a company is to be regarded as an investment company for the purposes of Section 186 of Companies Act, 2013.

2. The criterion should be as to what the principal business of the company is and the financial statement should show as to what the principal business of the company is.

3. It was held in the case of Assistant Registrar v. Kothari (HC) (1992) 75 Comp Cas 688 (Mad): (1993) 10 CLA 80 (Mad), that where the company. whose memorandum contains investment activity as a main object and whose principal business, even after diversification into other activities, continues to be investment in shares and securities, it will be regarded as an investment company, despite the fact that there is a reduction in investment in shares and securities.

(c)

  1. In case of Indus Ltd., there is no alteration in the constitution or the legal status of the company.
  2. Even after the name of a company is altered by special resolution and sanction by the Registrar is
  3. accorded, the company continues to possess the same rights and is subject to the same obligations as existed before the change.
  4. Therefore, if a company has the power to execute a decree in its old name, it has a right after the change to execute the decree in its new name.
  5. The fact that alteration in the name was not brought to the notice of the NCLT would not in any manner render defective or irregular proceedings initiated by a company in its former name.
  6. A decree obtained by a company in its former name can be executed by it in the new name after it has obtained a certificate for the altered name.
  7. The change of the name does not affect the rights of the company. It is not necessary that the new name should have been entered in the decree.

(d) Section 380 of Companies Act, 2013 lays down that every foreign company which establishes a place of business in India must, within 30 days of the establishment of such place of business, file with the Registrar of Companies at New Delhi and also with the Registrar of Companies of the State in which such place of business is situated:

  • a certified copy of the charter, statutes or memorandum and articles Of the company or other instrument constituting or defining the constitution of the company: and if the instrument is not in the English language, a certified translation thereof;
  • the full address of the registered or principal office of the company;
  • a list of the directors of the company and its secretary with full particulars of their names, nationality, their addresses and business occupations;
  • the names and addresses of one or more persons resident in India who are authorised to accept service of process and any notices or other documents required to be served on the company; and
  • the full address of the principal place of business in India.

Approval letter from Reserve Bank of India for the setting up of business in India is required to be attached.

When 50% of the paid up capital is held by Indian Citizens, they should comply with such of the provisions of the Act as may prescribed by Central Government with regard to the business carried on in India, as if it were a company incorporated in India.

Question 40.
Sprint Ltd., a listed company, wants to implement buy back of shares. Its financials as at June, 2009 are as under:
Paid-up equity share capital (20,00,000 shares of ₹ 10 each) : ₹ 200 lakh
Preference share capital (redeemable in December, 2024) : ₹ 100 lakh
Free reserves : ₹ 200 lakh
10% Debentures : ₹ 200 lakh
Loans from IDBI : ₹ 300 lakh
Compute the quantum of equity capital of the company eligible for buy-back of shares by citing relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
Quantum Eligible for Buy-back
25% of paid-up equity capital – 25% of ₹ 200 lakhs i.e. ₹ 50 lakhs (Buy-back in a financial year cannot exceed 25% of total paid-up equity capital) Post Buy-back-ratio as required under Section 68 of Companies Act, 2013, the ratio of the debt owned by the company is not more than twice the capital and its free reserves after such buy back.

Question 41.
(a) State your views on the following with reference to the provision of the Companies Act, 2013:

  • Complex Ltd, a well reputed manufacturing Public Limited Company has made a contribution of ₹ 2.5 Lacs during the financial year ended, 31 -03-13 to a political party for running a school, situated in the village, where most of the workers of the company reside. It is admitted that the benefit of the school is mostly for the children of the workers of the company. The company has not made any profits in the last four years.

(b) Mr. Prasad is Managing Director of Bapi Ltd. He gave his resignation letter to the Chairman of the Board of Directors on 31st December, 2013, and requested that he should be relieved immediately. When does the resignation of Mr. Prasad take effect?

(c) Advise the Board of Directors of a Limited Company regarding validity and extent of their powers, under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 in relation to the following matters :

  • Buy-Back of the shares of the company, for the first time up to 10% of the paid up equity share capital without passing a special resolution.
  • Delegation of power to the Managing Director of the company to invest surplus funds of the company in the shares of some, companies.

Answer:
(a) (i) 1. Section 182 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with prohibitions and restrictions regarding political contributions.

2. A non Government company which has been in existence for not less’than three years may contribute any amount or amounts directly or indirectly to any political party or for any political purpose to any person provided that the aggregate of the amounts which may be so contributed by a company in any financial year shall not exceed 7.5% of its average net profits determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 198 during the three immediately preceding financial years.

3. The company in question has not made any profit in last four years and contributed ₹ 2.5 lacs during the year to a political party for running a school.

4. This is violation of the provisions of Section 182 of the Companies Act although the children of its workers are benefitted the auditor would have to qualify his report stating the contravention of the provision of the Companies Act.

(b)

  • According to Section 168(Resignation of director), A director can resign from his office by serving a notice of his resignation upon the Company or the Board.
  • There is no need for its acceptance by the Board or the Company.
  • However, if a Managing Director resigns, he cannot give up his office at his pleasure simply by serving the notice.
  • This is because he occupies two positions i.e., of a director and an employee.
  • In case of Managing Director, the notice or letter of resignation is required to be approved or accepted by the company and he has to be relieved of his duties and responsibilities attaching to his office from which he has resigned.
  • Similar views were accepted in the case of Achutha Pal vs. Registrar of Companies, (1956) 36 Comp. Cases 598.

Accordingly, in the given case, the resignation of Mr. Prasad, the Managing Director shall be effective when approved or accepted by the company and he is relieved of his duties and responsibilities attaching to his office within a reasonable time.

(c) (i)

  • Section 68 (Power of a company to purchase its own shares) of the Companies Act, 2013 facilitates buy-back of shares upto 10% of the total paid up equity capital and free reserves.
  • Hence, special resolution in general meeting of the company is not required. The proposed buy-back of shares is in order provided other conditions laid down in Section 68 of the Companies Act, 2013 are fulfilled.

(ii)

  • Section 179 (Power of Board)of the Companies Act, 2013 empowers the Board of Directors to delegate to the Managing Director the power to invest in general terms.
  • But Section 186 (Loan and investment by the company)of the said Act provides that no investment shall be made unless it is sanctioned by a resolution passed at a meeting of the board with the consent of all Directors present. Section 186 does not provide for delegation.
  • Hence the proposed delegation of power to the Managing Director to invest is not in order.

Question 42.
State the requirements related to filing of return of allotment. X Ltd. has reissued certain equity shares after completing the forfeiture procedure. Is X Ltd. required to file the return of allotment?
Answer:

  1. According to Section 39 of the Companies Act, 2013 a company is required to file a return of allotment of shares and not for re-issue of forfeited shares.
  2. Allotment, as we have seen above, is appropriation of the previously unappropriated capital of a company, of a certain number of shares to a certain person. Till such allotment, the shares do not exist as such.
  3. However, in the case of forfeited shares, they had already been allotted any they had come into existence at the time of their allotment and their forfeiture is a proof of their existence.
  4. Therefore, no return of allotment is required to be filed with the ROC by a company at the time of re-issue or disposal of forfeited shares.
  5. Sri Gopal Jalan and Co. v. Calcutta Stock Exchange Association (1963) 33 Com Cases 862: AIR 1964 SC 250.

Question 43.
X Ltd. received valid share transfer deed together with the requisite documents for transferring 1,000 equity shares of the company from Ram to Shyam. Advise the company in the following cases:
(i) Ram dies before the transfer is effected by the company.
(ii) Shyam dies before the transfer is effected by the company.
Assume that the company has no information about the death in both the cases.
Answer:
If transferor sold his shares by executing a transfer deed in favour of transferee and such documents were lodged for transfer but the transferor dies before such transfer is registered by the Company, the company would register the transfer, irrespective of whether the death of transferor is intimated to company before registration of transfer or whether death is intimated after registration of transfer.

If transferee dies before registration and company has notice of his death, transfer of shares cannot be registered in the name of the transferee who has already deceased. With the consent of the transferor and the legal representatives of the transferee, the transfer may be registered in the name of the legal heirs of the transferee (who has already died) or his nominee, if any.

But if there is a dispute, an order of the NCLT will be insisted by the company before effecting the transfer. In case, the death of transferee is not notified to the company, the company can register the transfer in the name of the deceased transferee, in as much as the company is not aware of the death of the transferee and the transfer is done bonafide by the company, as per the information available with it. So, considering this:

  • Ram’s (Transferor) death would not affect the transfer process.
  • If the company has the notice of Shyam’s (Transferee) death, the company has to follow the procedure mentioned above otherwise the company can register the transfer in the name of the Shyam.

Question 44.
A listed company has taken a term loan from a financial institution and is regularly paying the interest and loan installments. The institution proposes to convert 20% of the loan into equity shares of the company as per the terms of the loan agreement. Advise the company, whether the financial institution can enforce the convertibility clause.
Answer:
Section 62 (3) of the Companies Act, 2013 states that the provisions of Section 62 shall not apply to the increase of the subscribed capital of a company caused by the exercise of an option as a term attached to the debentures issued or loan raised by the companies to convert such cabentures/loan into shares in the company. Further, the terms of issue of such debentures or loan containing such an option should have been approved before the issue of such debentures or the raising of loan by a special resolution passed by the company in General Meeting. Thus in the given case, if the raising of loan is already approved by the shareholders by special resolution, then the financial institution can enforce the convertibility.

Question 45.
The board meeting of MANO LTD. was held on 10,h June, 2014 at Lucknow at 10.30 a.m. At the time of starting the board meeting, the number of directors present were 8. The total number of directors in the company were 10. The board transacted eight items in the board meeting on that day. At 12 noon after the completion of four items in the agenda, 5 directors left the meeting.
Examine the validity of all these transactions explaining the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
1. Section 174 of the Companies Act, 2013, provides for the quorum for meeting.

2. The quorum for a meeting of the Board of Directors of a company shall be one third of its total strength (any fraction contained in the said one third being rounded off as one), or two directors, whichever is higher.

3. Where at any time the number of interested directors exceeds or is equal to two thirds of the total strength, the number of remaining directors, that is to say, the number of directors who are not interested present at the meeting being not less than two shall be the quorum during such time.

4. In this case, the quorum is 4 (i.e. 1/3rd of 10 = 3 1/3 rounded off as 4).

5. Hence, the quorum was present at the time of commencement of meeting. As a rule, in the case of a meeting of the Board of Directors, the meeting cannot transact any business, unless a quorum is present at the time of transacting the business.

6. It is not enough that a quorum was present at the commencement of the business.

7. The quorum of the Board is required at every stage of the meeting and unless a quorum is present at every stage, the business transacted is void. (Balakrishna V. Balu Subudhi AIR 1949 Pat 184).

In the given situation four items were transacted with the quorum and thus they are valid. Other four items were transacted after 5 directors left the meeting resulting in the reduction of quorum as only 3 directors were present as against the required quorum of 4 directors. Hence, such four transactions are void.

Question 46.
You are the Company Secretary of a public limited company having paid-up share capital of ₹ 5 crore. On receipt of notice and agenda for the next Board meeting, one of the directors of the company has submitted necessary form making disclosure to the company that he is interested in the contract which the Board of directors proposes to enter into with a private company in which he is a director. Advise the Board of directors, the procedure the company has to undertake regarding the contract.
Answer:
Under Section 184 (2) of the Companies Act, 2013 every director of a company who is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, concerned or interested in a contract or arrangement or proposed contract or arrangement entered into or to be entered into –

(a) with a body corporate in which such director or such director in association with any other director, holds more than two per cent shareholding of that body corporate, or is a promoter, manager, Chief Executive Officer of that body corporate; or

(b) with a firm or other entity in which, such director is a partner, owner or member, as the case may be, shall disclose the nature of his concern or interest at the meeting of the Board in which the contract or arrangement is discussed and shall not participate in such meeting.

(i) It may be noted that where any director who is not so concerned or interested at the time of entering into such contract or arrangement, he shall, if he becomes concerned or interested after the contract or arrangement is entered into, disclose his concern or interest forthwith when he becomes concerned or interested or at the first meeting of the Board held after he becomes so concerned or interested.

(ii) A contract or arrangement entered into by the company without disclosure under Section 184 (2) or with participation by a director who is concerned or interested in any way, directly or indirectly, in the contract or arrangement, shall be voidable at the option of the company.

Note : In the given case also the interested director cannot participate in the item concerning the contract in which he is interested. The particulars of the contract have to be entered in the Register of contracts and placed at the next board meeting and signed by all the directors present at the meeting. The Register should also be produced and remain open and accessible at the commencement of every annual general meeting.

Question 47.
Telco Ltd. had the following items under the head ‘Reserves and Surplus’ in the Balance Sheet as on 31st March, 2015.

Amount ₹ in Lakhs
Capital Reserve 70
Security Premium Reserve 80
General Reserve 70

The company had an accumulated loss of ₹ 240 Lakhs on the same date, which it has disclosed under the head ‘Statement of Profit and Loss’ as an asset in its Balance Sheet. Comment on accuracy of this treatment in line with schedule III to the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
Debit balance of statement of profit & loss (after all allocations and appropriations) shall be shown as a negative figure under the head ‘surplus’. Similarly, the balance of ‘reserve & surplus’, after adjusting balance of surplus, shall be shown under the head ‘Reserve & Surplus’ even if the resulting figure is in negative. [As per Note 6(B) part 1 of Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013.]

In this case, the debit balance of profit & loss i.e ₹ 240 lakhs exceeds the total of all reserve i.e ₹ 220 lakhs. Therefore, balance of ‘Reserve & Surplus’ after adjusting debit balance of profit & loss is negative by ₹ 20 lakhs, which should be disclosed on the face of the Balance Sheet as the sub heading ‘Reserve & Surplus’ under the heading ‘Shareholders fund’.

Thus, treatment done by the company is incorrect.

Question 48.
Explain the following quoting relevant case law, if any :
(a) Red Cap Ltd. wants to reduce its equity share capital to extinguish the holding of only non-promoter shareholders on payment of the value of their shares. Reduction was approved by the requisite majority of equity shareholders including non-promoter shareholders. Will such selective reduction be sanctioned?

(b) Smart Ltd. wants to include a provision in the articles of association by altering it to limit the company’s share capital to a fixed amount. Can it do so Will your answer be different if 100% shareholders agree for such alteration?
Answer:
(a) Such reduction in equity capital to extinguish the holding of only non-promoters will be sanctioned. In the matter of Sandvik Asia Ltd. v. Bharat Kumar Padamsi (2009) 151 Com Cases 251 (2010) 2 Com LJ 255 (Bom). where the object of reduction was to extinguish the holding of non-promoter shareholders on payment of fair value for their shares and reduction was approved by a majority of equity shareholders including majority of nonpromoter shareholders, the reduction was sanctioned.

(b) A provision of the Articles which has the effect of limiting the company’s share capital to a fixed amount would have no effect being contrary to the Act. [Miheer Hemant Mafatlal v. Mafatlal Industries Ltd., (1987) 89 Bom LR 86 (Bom). The legal position shall not change even if 100% shareholders agree for such alteration as all members become bound by a valid alteration whether they voted for or against the resolution.

The Smart Ltd. cannot include a provision in the articles of association by altering it to limit the company’s share capital to a fixed amount.

Question 49.
Manohar Motors Ltd. has a paid-up share capital of ₹10 crore and free reserves of ₹ 5 crore. The Board of directors want to borrow a sum of ₹ 20 crore for its long-term capital requirements from the market. Discuss whether they can do so and if yes, what are the requirements under the Companies Act, 2013 which they have to comply with.
Answer:
In terms of Section 180(1 )(c) of the Companies Act, 2013, a company can borrow money, where the money to be borrowed, together with the money already borrowed by the company exceeds aggregate of its paid up share capital and free reserves, only with the consent of company by special resolution.

Temporary loans obtained from the Bankers are not to be considered while calculating the limits. [Proviso the Section 180(1) (c)]

In this case under consideration, we should see if the Articles of Association of Manohar Motors Ltd. allow such borrowings. If not, company should alter its articles to provide for the same. The company should hold a general meeting in which a special resolution be passed authorising the Board of Directors to borrow money up to ₹ 20 crores. As this limit exceeds the paid-up capital of ₹ 10 crores and free reserves of ₹ 5 crores.

The other requirements to be complied with inter alia include provisions in the Articles of Association, holding BOD meeting to decide special resolution to be passed, approving notice of General Meeting, draft of special resolution and also Explanatory statement thereto, holding General Meeting by giving 21 days clear notice, getting the special resolution passed and filing the same with the ROC within 30 days, after this the BOD can go ahead to borrow up to ₹ 20 crores.

The resolution of the Board of Directors should be passed at a meeting, Section 179(3)(d).

Question 50.
Your client Vivek wants to form a private company with a share capital of ₹ 50,000. Examining the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, advise Vivek on the following issues with proper justification:
(i) Whether Vivek will be successful in the formation of the proposed company?
(ii) Whether public can be invited for subscribing to the share capital of the proposed company?
(iii) Whether registration of articles of association of the proposed company is mandatory?
(iv) Whether Vivek will be able to convert the proposed private company into ‘one person company’ at a later date, if need be?
(v) As regards to stamp duty state whether it will make any difference if the proposed company is incorporated in the State of Haryana or in the State of Kerala.
Answer:
(i) Section 2(68) of the Companies Act, 2013 defines the term ‘private company’ to mean a company having a minimum paid-up share capital as may be prescribed, and which by its Articles:

  • restricts the right to transfer its shares;
  • except in case of One Person Company, limits the number of its members to two hundred and prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the company.

Accordingly, since there is no requirement of minimum share capital, Vivek will be successful in the formation of the proposed company on complying with other provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

(ii) In view of Section 2(68) defining the term ‘private company’ which prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the company, the proposed company cannot invite for subscribing share capital.

(iii) Yes, registration of Articles of Association of the proposed company is mandatory. Section 7 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with incorporation of company. Section 7(1) requires inter-alia to file Memorandum and Articles of the company duly signed by all the subscribers to the memorandum. Section 7(2) provides that the Registrar on the basis of documents and information filed shall register all the documents and issue a certificate of incorporation to the effect that the proposed company is incorporated under this Act.

(iv) Yes, Section 18 read with Rule 7 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 provides that a private company other than a company registered under Section 8 of the Act having paid up share capital of fifty lakhs rupees or less and average annual turnover during the relevant period is two crore rupees or less may convert itself into One Person Company by passing a special resolution in the general meeting. Before passing such resolution, the company shall obtain no objection in writing from members and creditors.

(v) Yes, Stamp duty on Incorporation documents (Form 1, MoA, AoA) is state subject under Constitution. Accordingly, each state has provided different rate of stamp duty for incorporation documents in the relevant Stamp Act/Rules of the concerned State/Union Territory Government.

Question 51.
William & Company, a company incorporated in U.K., decides to set-up its corporate office in Mumbai. Accordingly, the Board of Directors of the company passes a resolution.
The Board seeks your advice on the procedure to be adopted to carry out the proposal of the company. Advise the Board about the procedure to be followed and forms and documents the company is required to file with the Registrar of Companies.
Answer:
As per Section 2(42) of the Companies Act, 2013 “Foreign Company” means any company or body corporate incorporated outside India which:

  • has a place of business in India whether by itself or through an agent, physically or through electronic mode.
  • conducts any business activity in India in any other manner.

Accordingly, William & Company, a company incorporated in U.K. in case, it sets up its corporate office in Mumbai would be termed as a ‘Foreign Company’ under the Companies Act, 2013. Accordingly, the following procedure would be required to comply with.

Every foreign company shall, within thirty days of the establishment of its place of business in India, deliver to the Registrar for registration [Section 380(1)]:

  • a certified copy of the charter, statute or Memorandum and Articles of the company or other instrument constituting or defining the constitution of the company and if the instrument is not in English language, a certified translation thereof in the English language; .
  • the full address of the registered or principal office of the company;
  • a list of the directors and secretary of the company with particulars;
  • the names and addresses of one or more persons resident in India authorised to accept on behalf of the company service of process and any notices or other documents required to be served on the company;
  • the full address of the office of the company in India which is deemed to be its principal place of business in India;
  • particulars of opening and closing of a place of business in India on earlier occasions;
  • declaration that none of the directors of the company or authorised representatives in India has ever been convicted or debarred from formation of companies and management in India or Abroad; or
  • other prescribed particulars.

In addition to above, a list of Directors and Secretary of Company, needs to be delivered to the Registrar (Rule 3) of Companies (Registration of Foreign Companies) Rules, 2014.

The Foreign Company shall, within a period of thirty days of establishment of its place of business in India, file Form FC-1 of the Companies (Registration of Foreign Companies) Rules, 2014 and the application shall also be supported with an attested copy of approval from Reserve Bank of India under Foreign Exchange Management Act or Regulations and also from other Regulators, if any.

Question 52.
The Board of Directors of Wise Ltd., a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 and listed at Bombay Stock Exchange, at its meeting resolves to issue certain number of shares with differential dividend and voting rights. The Board of Directors presents the following information:

  • The Board has decided to keep the shares with differential dividend and voting rights at 51% of the paid-up share capital.
  • As per the track record, the company has a record of distributable profits for the last two years only; before that the company had suffered heavy losses.

Examining the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules framed thereunder, stating the conditions, if any, decide whether the company can proceed with the execution of Board’s resolution for issue of shares with differential rights in respect of dividend and voting.
Answer:
Section 43 of the Companies Act, 2013 empowers the company to have equity share capital of a company with differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed.

Rule 4 of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 deals with procedure for issuing equity shares with differential rights. It provides that no company limited by shares shall issue equity shares with differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise, unless it complies with the following conditions, namely:
(a) the Articles of Association of the company authorizes the issue of shares with differential rights;

(b) the issue of shares is authorised by an ordinary resolution passed at a general meeting of the shareholders. Provided that where the equity shares of a company are listed on a recognized stock exchange, the issue of such shares shall be approved by the shareholders through postal ballot;

(c) the shares with differential rights shall not exceed twenty six percent of the total post-issue paid up equity share capital including equity shares with differential rights issued at any point of time;

(d) the company having consistent track record of distributable profits for the last three years;

(e) the company has not defaulted in filing financial statements and annual returns for three financial years immediately preceding the financial year in which it is decided to issue such shares;

(f) the company has no subsisting default in the payment of a declared dividend to its shareholders or repayment of its matured deposits or redemption of its preference shares or debentures that have become due for redemption or payment of interest on such deposits or debentures or payment of dividend;

(g) the company has not defaulted in payment of the dividend on preference shares or repayment of any term loan from a public financial institution or State level financial institution or scheduled Bank that has become repayable or interest payable thereon or dues with respect to statutory payments relating to its employees to any authority or default in crediting the amount in Investor Education and Protection Fund to the Central Government.

(h) the company has not been penalized by Court or Tribunal during the last three years of any offence under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992, the Securities Contracts Regulation Act, 1956, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 or any other special Act, under which such companies being regulated by sectoral regulators.

Since, these rules require that the shares with differential rights shall not exceed 26 percent of the total post-issue paid up equity share capital including equity shares with differential rights issued at any point of time and the company having consistent track record of distributable profits for the last three years, the company cannot proceed with issuing shares with differential voting right with the given conditions:

To keep shares with differential dividend and voting rights at 51% of paid up share capital.
Record of distributable profits for last two years only.

Question 53.
An association of 120 persons has been formed with the object of acquisition of gain. Now, due to an internal mismanagement, the said association has applied for being wound up under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Advise.
Answer:
1. According to Section 464 of the Companies Act, 2013, no association or partnership consisting of more than prescribed number of persons shall be formed for the purpose of carrying on any business that has for its object the acquisition of gain by the association or partnership or by the individual members thereof, unless it is registered as a company under the Companies Act, or is formed under any other law for the time being in force. Further, the prescribed number of persons shall not exceed 100.

2. The association as mentioned in the question exceed the prescribed number of members i.e., it consists of 120 members and it is not registered as a company under the Companies Act, 2013.

3. Where an association is formed, which has membership in excess of the number aforementioned, will be an illegal association except it is registered as company under Companies Act, 2013.

4. Such a body will have no legal existence and it cannot be wound up under the Companies Act, 2013, or even as an unregistered company. Neither any member of it would be able to sue it nor would it be able to sue the member.

5. Further, every member of an association or partnership carrying on business in contravention of above law, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one lakh rupees and shall also be personally liable for all liabilities incurred in such business.

Question 54.
Limited is facing loss in business during the current Financial Year 2015-16. In the immediate preceding three financial years, the company had declared dividend at the rate of 8%, 10% and 12% respectively. To maintain the goodwill of the company, the Board of Directors has decided to declare 12% interim dividend for the current financial year. Examine the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and state whether the Board of Directors can do so?
Answer:
Declaration of interim Dividend: According to Section 123 (3) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board of Directors of a company may declare Interim dividend during any financial year out of the surplus in the profit and, loss account and out of profits of the financial year in which such interim dividend is sought to be declared.

However, in case the company has incurred loss during the current financial year up to the end of quarter immediately preceding the date of declaration of interim dividend, such interim dividend shall not be declared at a rate higher than the average dividends declared by the company during the immediately preceding three financial years.

In the given case the company is facing loss during the current financial year 2015-16. In the immediate preceding three financial years, the company declared dividend at the rate of 8%, 10% and 12%. As per the above mentioned provision, such interim dividend shall not be declared at a rate higher than the average dividends declared by the company during the immediately preceding three financial year [i.e. 8 + 10 + 12 = 30/3 =10%]. Therefore, decision of Board of Directors to declare 12% of the interim *
dividend for the current financial year is not tenable.

Question 55.
Rohan, a person resident in India, has been running a hotel as a sole proprietor. He now wants to convert his business into a ‘one person company’ (OPC) as permissible under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and seeks your advice in this regard. Advise him on the procedure to be followed for conversion of his business into an OPC. What shall be your advice if Rohan is a non-resident Indian? Whether a partnership firm can form an OPC?
Answer:
One Person Company:
Section 2(62) of the Companies Act, 2013 define “one person company” as a company which has only one person as member. OPC is a sub-domain of Private Company as per Section 2(68). Rule 3 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 say, only a natural person who is an Indian citizen and resident in India:

  • shall be eligible to incorporate a One Person Company;
  • shall be a nominee for the sole member of a One Person Company.

A person can incorporate only one “One Person Company”. The subscriber to the Memorandum of a One Person Company shall nominate a person, after obtaining prior written consent of such person, who shall, in the event of the subscriber’s death or his incapacity to contract, become the member of that One Person Company. The names of the person nominated shall be mentioned in the Memorandum of One Person Company and such nomination in Form INC – 2 along with consent of such nominee obtained in Form INC – 3 and fee as provided in the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014 shall be filed with the Registrar at the time of incorporation of the company along with its memorandum and articles.

Form SPICE-32 is form for incorporation of one person company. The form is similar to Form INC – 7 except this form contain Nomination details and particulars of nominee.

Attachments:

  1. Memorandum of Association
  2. Articles of Association
  3. Proof of identity of the member and the nominee
  4. Residential proof of the member and the nominee
  5. Copy of PAN Card of member and nominee
  6. Consent of Nominee in Form INC – 3
  7. Declaration from the subscriber and first Director to the memorandum in Form INC – 9
  8. List of all the companies (specifying their CIN) having the same registered office address, if any;
  9. Specimen Signature in Form INC – 10
  10. Entrenched Articles of Association
  11. Proof of Registered Office address (Conveyance/Lease deed/Rent Agreement etc. along with rent receipts)
  12. Copies of the utility bills (not older than two months)
  13. Proof that the Company is permitted to use the address as the registered office of the Company if the same is owned by any other entity/Person (not taken on lease by company)
  14. Consent from Director
  15. Optional Attachments.

Note : In the given case, only a natural person who is an Indian citizen and resident in India shall be eligible to incorporate a one person company. In the given case Rohan is a non-resident than it can not be form OPC and a partnership firm cannot form OPC.

Question 56.
(i) Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) provisions are applicable to Microskill Ltd. The company finalised the project under its CSR initiatives which require funds beyond the mandated 2% of average net profit of the company for last three financial years. Will such excess expense, when incurred, be counted in subsequent financial years as a part of CSR expenditure? Advise.

(ii) A real estate company took advance money from its customers in the course of business on which no interest is supposed to be paid to the customers. At the end of financial year, company is in dilemma “whether to treat this advance as ‘advance’ or ‘deposit’. Advise the company on how to treat this amount without interest.

(iii) Mirage Ltd. is an unlisted company having 15 directors on its Board. The company has paid-up share capital of ₹ 200 crore and has achieved in the previous financial year a turnover of ₹ 400 crore. The provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 require the companies to have the following categories of directors on their Board:

  • Women director
  • Resident director
  • Independent director

Examining the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, decide whether the company must appoint directors under all the above categories.
Answer:
(i) In terms of Section 135(5) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board of every company to which Section 135 is applicable shall ensure that the company spends in every financial year, at least 2% of the average net profits of the company made during the three preceding year.

“Provided also that if the company spends an amount in excess of the requirements provided under this sub-section, such company may set off such excess amount against the requirement to spend under this sub-section for such number of succeeding financial years and in such manner, as may be prescribed.”

(ii) As per the Rule 2(xii) of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014, deposit does not include any amount received in the course of, or for the purposes of the business of the company as an advance for supply of goods or provision of services/received in connection with consideration for an immovable property/as security deposit for performance of contract for supply of goods or services/as advance received under long term projects for supply of capital goods.

a. But if the amount received becomes refundable (with or without interest) due to the reasons that the company accepting the money does not have necessary permission to deal in the goods or properties or services for that money is refundable in 15 days otherwise deemed as deposit.

b. Further, whether interest is charged or not is immaterial. Thus, advance taken from customers by Real Estate Company shall not be considered as deposits. But if it is not adjusted against the property in accordance with the terms of agreement or arrangement, then it will be treated as deposit.

(iii) (a) Woman Director: Proviso to Section 149(1) read with Rule 3 of the 1 Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 provides that the following class of companies shall appoint at least M one woman director. These companies under the provisions are:

  • Every listed company and
  • Every other public company having (a) paid-up share capital of ₹ 100 crore or more; or (b) a turnover of ₹ 300 crore or more.

Accordingly, since Mirage Limited is a public company and the paid up capital of company is ? 200 crores, the company shall appoint at least one woman director.

(b) Resident Director: Section 149(3) requires every company to have at least one director who has stayed in India for a total period of not less than 182 days in the previous calendar year. This section is applicable ( to every kind of company whether listed or unlisted, private or public. Accordingly, the company is required to have one Resident Director.

(c) Independent Director: As per Section 149(4), every listed company 1 shall have at least 1 /3rd of the total numbers as independent directors. The Central Government, may however, prescribe the minimum number of Independent Directors in case of any class or classes of public companies. According to Rule 4 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 provides that the following companies are required to have at least 2 directors as independent directors:

  • The public companies have paid up share capital of ₹ 10 crore or 1 more; or
  • Public companies having turnover of ₹ 100 crore or more; or
  • Public companies which have in aggregate, outstanding loans, debentures, and deposits exceeding ₹ 50 crore.

In the given case, since the company fulfils the conditions as required in respect of paid-up capital and turnover, the company must appoint atleast 2 independent directors.

Question 57.
Board of Directors of Clever Ltd., listed at Madras Stock Exchange, decides to issue equity shares to persons who are neither the existing shareholders nor the employees of the company. The articles of association of the company are silent on this issue. You being the corporate practitioner are approached by the Board to examine whether the Board’s decision is valid. What shall be your advice in respect of pricing of the issue-
(i) if the issue is for consideration of cash; and (ii) if the issue is for consideration other than cash?
Answer:
1. Section 62(1 )(c) read with Rule 13 of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 deals with the issue of shares on preferential basis and provides that where at any time, a company having a share capital proposes to increase its subscribed capital by the issue of further shares, such shares shall be offered to any persons, if it is authorised by a special resolution, whether or not those persons include the persons who are existing shareholders or employees, either for cash or for a consideration other than cash, if the price of such shares is determined by the valuation report of a registered valuer subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

2. Rule 13(2) provides that the issue should be authorized by Articles of Association. In the given case since the Articles are silent on the issue, first, the Article will have to be amended to confer upon the company power to carry out the Board’s decision. Accordingly, the company has to pass a special resolution at a general meeting and file Form MGT-14 with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days of passing the Resolution.

3. The issue on preferential basis should also comply with conditions laid down in Section 42 of the Act.

4. Where shares or other securities are to be allotted for consideration other than cash, the valuation of such consideration shall be done by a registered valuer who shall submit a valuation report to the company giving justification for the valuation.

5. As per Rule 13(2), where the preferential offer of shares is made by a company whose share or other securities are listed on a recognized stock exchange, such preferential offer shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Act and regulations made by the Securities and Exchange Board and if they are not listed, the preferential offer shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Act and rules made hereunder and subject to compliance with the requirements therein.

Question 58.
A scheme of amalgamation of Anu Co. Ltd. with Priya Co. Ltd. was presented to the Tribunal for sanction after the scheme was approved by an overwhelming majority of shareholders, secured and unsecured creditors of both companies at meeting held under Section 231 of the Companies Act, 2013. While the scheme was pending in the High Court, some of the members requisitioned EGM for the purpose of requesting company ‘Anu Limited’ to negotiate with company ‘Priya Ltd.’ as according to the requisitionists the exchange ratio was not fair and reasonable. Can the directors refuse to call EGM? Comment.
Answer:
In such a case, the tribunal cannot prevent a company from holding a requisitioned meeting for considering a proposed modification of a scheme which is already pending before the tribunal for its sanction. The Tribunal has wide powers u/s 231 to give directions or make such modification in the compromise or arrangement as it may consider necessary for proper working of the compromise or arrangement arrived at.

Any modification in the scheme could be considered by the Tribunal at the instance of a shareholder. Further, a mere discussion by the shareholders at a properly requisitioned meeting about the proposal modification to the scheme pending before the Tribunal for sanction would not by itself affect either the Scheme or the Tribunal power to consider the modification and sanction of scheme with or without modification.

Hence, directors can’t refuse to call an EGM requisitioned by the member.

Question 59.
(a) Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, examine the validity of the following appointments on the Board made by Star Ltd., incorporated on 3rd January 2015:

  • Dilip, an Indian national normally stays in U.S. During the calendar year 2014, he stayed in India for 120 days, appointed as a resident director.
  • Star Ltd. being an unlisted company having a turnover of ₹ 100 crore, appoints Ms. Tanya as the director on 1st February, 2015. Ms. Tanya already holds directorship in ten public companies. She is a whole time Company Secretary in practice.
  • Supatra, a Practicing Company Secretary holds directorship in eight public companies and six private companies. In addition, he also holds alternate directorship in three companies and directorship in three subsidiary companies of Star Ltd.

(b) Mohan, a director in Agile Ltd. holding director’s identification number (DIN) allotted by the Central Government has now accepted directorship in two other public companies and three private companies. Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, answer the following:

  • Whether he is required to obtain DIN for each of the companies in which he has been appointed as director?
  • After obtaining DIN, there are some changes in the particulars of Mohan. What procedure would you follow to get the changes incorporated in the DIN already allotted to Mohan?

Answer:
(a) (i) Since Section 149(3) requires the person who has stayed in India for a total period of not less than 182 days during the financial year can be a Resident Director. Accordingly, Dilip who has stayed for 120 days in India during calendar year 2014 cannot be appointed as Resident Director.

Every company shall have at least one director who stays in India for a total period of not less than one hundred and eighty- two days during the financial year. Provided that in case of a newly incorporated company the requirement under this sub-section shall apply proportionately at the end of the financial year in which it is incorporated.

(ii) Section 165 of the Companies Act, 2013 regulates the appointment of directors in a company and the number of directorships an individual can hold. Accordingly, a maximum limit on total number of directorships has been fixed at 20 companies including a sub-limit of 10 for public companies, i.e. an individual cannot be a director of more than 10 public companies.

Accordingly, Ms. Tanya may not be appointed as director as this would be her 11th public unlisted company.

(iii) While counting the number of directorships in public company, directorship in private companies that are either holding or subsidiary company of a public company shall be included. Alternate directorship shall also be included in the above number.

Supatra’s directorship is as follows:

  • In 8 public companies;
  • In 6 private companies;
  • Alternate directorships in 3 companies;
  • 3 subsidiary public companies (subsidiary of Star Limited)

Accordingly, Since Supatra already holds 10 directorships in public companies, he cannot be so appointed in the 11th public company. If he is appointed, he will have to vacate the directorship in one of the companies of his choice.

(b) (i) Section 155 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides for prohibition to obtain more than one Director Identification Number. An individual needs to have only one DIN. Accordingly, he is not required to obtain a separate DIN for each company. Only one DIN is sufficient. Rule 12 of Companies (Appointment & Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 deals with the procedure for intimating changes in particulars of DIN as follows:

(ii) Every individual who has been allotted a DIN shall in the event of any change in his particulars as stated in Form DIR-3, intimate such change(s) to the Central Government within a period of 30 days of such change(s) in Form DIR-6 in the following manner, namely:

  • The applicant shall download Form DIR-6 from the portal and fill in the relevant changes, attach copy of the proof of the changed particulars and verification in the Form DIR-7 all of which shall be scanned and submitted electronically.
  • The form shall be digitally signed by a Chartered Accountant in Practice or a Company Secretary in Practice, or a Cost Accountant in Practice.
  • The applicant shall submit the Form DIR-6.

The Central Government, upon being satisfied, after verification of such changed particulars from the enclosed proofs, shall incorporate the said changes and inform the applicant by way of a letter by post or electronically or in any other mode confirming the effect of such change in electronic data base maintained by the Ministry.

The concerned individual shall also intimate the changes to the concerned company in which he is a director within 15 days of such change. Accordingly, Mr. Mohan should follow the above propedure for getting the changes incorporated in the original DIN already allotted to him.

Question 60.
The net profits of ABC Ltd. as disclosed in the company’s balance sheet for three preceding financial years are as under:

Final year ended Net Profit (₹)
31st March, 2013 50 crore
31st March, 2014 70 crore
31st March, 2015 90 crore

Board of Directors of the company decides to contribute to a political party fund during the financial year 2015-16. The Board wants to contribute 20% of the average profits of the above three years’ profits. Comment, explaining the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 in this regard.
Answer:
Prohibitions and Restrictions Regarding Political Contributions:
According to Section 182(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, Government Companies and Companies which have been in existence for less than 3 financial years are not allowed to make political contributions. Political contribution may be made by any other company subject to the following conditions:

  • The aggregate amounts contributed and proposed to be contributed by a company in any financial year shall not exceed 7.5% of its average net profits of preceding last 3 financial years.
  • Board resolution should be passed.

It further requires that no such contribution shall be made by a company unless a resolution authorizing the making of such contribution is passed at a meeting of the Board of Directors.

The Board’s decision to contribute to political party 20% of its average profits for last 3 years is in excess of the permissible limit of 7-1/2% of the average profits of preceding 3 financial year. Therefore, the decision of the Board is not valid.

Note:
Section 154 of the Finance Act, 2017 amends Section 182 of the Companies Act, 2013. As per the amendment, the limit on the maximum amount that can be contributed by a company to a political party has been removed.

Question 61.
You are the Company Secretary of a public limited company having paid-up capital 1100 crore. On 25th May, 2015, CFO of the company informed the Board of Directors that statutory audit for financial year 2014-15 is successfully over and Board may accordingly plan to have its annual general meeting. Board of Directors of the company is not very clear on the contents of Board’s Report as per the requirements of Companies Act, 2013.
Advise your management on the contents of Board’s Report to comply with the requirements of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
Directors’ Report: Section 134(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that there shall be attached to statements laid before a company in general meeting, a report by its Board of Directors, which shall include:

The extract of the annual return as provided under Sub-Section (3) of Section 92; Amendment made by Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 – Revised Section 134(3)(a) :

  1. the web address, if any, where annual return referred to in sub-Section (3) of Section 92 has been placed,”
  2. number of meetings of the Board;
  3. Directors’ Responsibility Statement;
  4. a statement on declaration given by independent directors under Sub-Section (6) of Section 149;
  5. in case of a company covered under Sub-Section (1) of Section 178, company’s policy on directors’ appointment and remuneration including criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes, independence of a director and other matters provided under Sub-Section (3) of Section 178;
  6. explanations or comments by the Board on every qualification, reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer made:
    a. by the auditor in his report;
    b. by the company secretary in practice in his secretarial audit report;
  7. particulars of loans, guarantees or investments under Section 186;
  8. particulars of contracts or arrangements with related parties referred to in Sub-Section (1) of Section 188 in the prescribed form.
    a. the state of the company’s affairs;
    b. the amounts, if any, which it proposes to carry to any reserves;
  9. the amount, if any, which it recommends should be paid by way of dividend;
  10. material changes and commitments, if any, affecting the financial position of the company which have occurred between the end of the financial year of the company to which the financial statements relate and the date of the report;
  11. the conservation of energy, technology absorption, foreign exchange earnings and outgo, in such manner as may be prescribed;
  12. a statement indicating development and implementation of a risk management policy for the company including identification therein of elements of risk, if any, which in the opinion of the Board may threaten the existence of the company;
  13. the details about the policy developed and implemented by the company on corporate social responsibility initiatives taken during the year;
  14. in case of a listed company and every other public company having such paid-up share capital as may be prescribed, a statement indicating the manner in which formal annual evaluation has been made by the Board of its own performance and that of its committees and individual directors;

Amendment made by Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017: Revised Section 134(3)(p) – “(p) in case of a listed company and every other public company having such paid-up share capital as may be prescribed, a statement indicating the manner in which formal annual evaluation of the performance of the Board, its Committees and of individual directors has been made.”

Proviso to Revised Section 134(3) – “Provided that where disclosures referred to in this sub-section have been included in the financial statements, such disclosures shall be referred to instead of being repeated in the Board’s report:

Provided further that where the policy referred to in clause (e) or clause (o) is made available on company’s website, if any, it shall be sufficient compliance of the requirements under such clauses if the salient features of the policy and any change therein are specified in brief in the Board’s report and the web- address is indicated therein at which the complete policy is available.”

Section 134(3A) – “(3A) The Central Government may prescribe an abridged Board’s report, for the purpose of compliance with this section by a One Person Company or small company.”
Space to write important points for revision

Question 62.
(a) Arc Ltd. has two managing directors, three whole-time directors, and two part-time directors. Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, state the extent to which the managing directors, whole-time directors and part-time directors can be paid remuneration, when the company has sufficient profits.
Further, what advice would you render when company’s profits are inadequate? Can the company continue to make payment of remuneration?

(b) Prince was appointed as additional director by the Board of Directors of John Ltd. on 1st March, 2015. He was simultaneously appointed as the company’s managing director by majority voting at the same Board Meeting. Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, examine the validity of the appointment of Prince as additional director and as the managing director at the same time. What shall be your answer in case Prince failed to get appointed at the company’s annual general meeting?
Answer:
(a) Payment of managerial remuneration to Managing Directors, Whole-time directors and Part-time Directors is regulated by the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 as contained under Section 197(1).

  • Accordingly, the total managerial remuneration payable by a public company to its directors (including managing director and whole¬time directors) and manager in a financial year shall not exceed 11% of the net profits of the company.

Net profits are to be calculated as provided in Section 198.

  • Any remuneration exceeding 11 % of net profits limit may be payable subject to compliance of conditions given in Schedule V. In case these requirements are not fulfilled, such remuneration will be subject to the approval of Central Government [First Proviso to Sec. 197(1)].
  • The remuneration of any one Managing Director or Whole time Director or Manager shall not exceed 5% of the net profits. Where, there are more than one Managing Director or Whole time Director, the overall limit is 10% of the net profits.
  • The remuneration may exceed this limit only after approval of company in general meeting and after satisfying the conditions given in this Section and Schedule V.

Remuneration in case of inadequacy of profits or no profits: (Section II Part II Schedule V): In case of inadequate profits or no profits, a company may pay to a managerial person without Central Government approval remuneration not exceeding the higher of the limits specified in (Section II Part II of Schedule V) with ordinary/special resolution as the case may be.

Remuneration to part-time directors – Section 197(1) regulates the remuneration payable to directors who are neither managing director nor whole time director and shall not exceed.

  • 1% of the net profits of the company, if there a managing or whole time director or manager.
  • 3% of the net profits in any other case. Besides, these percentage/s directors shall also be entitled to get sitting fee for Board Meeting and also for attending the committee ‘ meetings in which director’s member. The maximum fee is ₹ 1 lakh per meeting.

(b) Articles of a company may confer upon its Board power to appointment Additional Director, other than a person who fails to get appointed as a director in a general meeting, as an additional director at any time who shall hold office up to the date of the next annual general meeting or the last date on which the annual general meeting should have been held, whichever is earlier [Sec. 161(1)].

If a director, during his tenure as additional director of the company had been appointed as managing director of the company, his appointment as managing director also ceases simultaneously with the termination of his directorship at the commencement of the AGM.

However, if such a person was elected as a regularized director at the AGM, he will continue to be a director of the company and also as its managing director for thfe period for which his appointment as managing director had been made under Section 196 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Since, Prince was appointed first as additional director and then a managing director may be in the same director the appointment as MD is valid, but if he fails to get his appointment as additional director regularized in the AGM he will automatically cease to be Managing Director of the company.

Amendment made by Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017:
Revised First Proviso to Section 197(1) – “Provided that the company in general meeting may, with the approval of the Central Government, authorise the payment of remuneration exceeding eleven per cent, of the net profits of the company, subject to the provisions of Schedule V:”

Revised Second Proviso to Section 197(1) – “Provided further that, except with the approval of the company in general meeting by a special resolution:
(i) the remuneration payable to any one managing director; or whole-time director or manager shall not exceed five percent of the net profits of the company and if there is more than one such director remuneration shall not exceed ten per cent, of the net profits to all such directors and manager taken together;

(ii) the remuneration payable to directors who are neither managing directors nor whole-time directors shall not exceed,

  • one percent of the net profits of the company, if there is a managing or whole- time director or manager;
  • three percent of the net profits in any other case.

Third Proviso to Section 197(1) – “Provided also that, where the company has defaulted in payment of dues to any bank or public financial institution or non-convertible debenture holders or any other secured creditor, the prior approval of the bank or public financial institution concerned or the non-convertible debenture holders or other secured creditor, as the case may be, shall be obtained by the company before obtaining the approval in the general meeting.”

Question 63.
(a) Jewel Ltd. called its annual general meeting on 25th September, 2015. At the meeting, the required quorum was present. The meeting started transacting the business slated on the agenda. After completion of few agenda items, the Chairman of the company adjourned the meeting on his own without seeking the consensus of the members of the company present at the meeting. The Chairman further stated that the adjourned meeting shall be scheduled at a later date to be decided by the Board of Directors.

You being a corporate professional, examine the validity of the Chairman’s decision to adjourn the meeting. Also explain the powers of the Chairman in this regard.

(b) Decent Ltd. was incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013 on 1st January, 2014. The first financial year of the company was closed on 31st March, 2014. Explaining the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 –

  • State as to when should have the company held its first annual general meeting (AGM) and the subsequent AGM.
  • The meeting as per schedule was conducted but could not complete the business as slated on the agenda. As a result, the meeting was adjourned to a later date to transact the unfinished business. Certain shareholders give a notice to the company where they wanted certain new business to be transacted at the adjourned AGM. State whether the new business can be transacted at this adjourned meeting.

Answer:
(a) Adjournment of a meeting means the deferring or suspending the meeting to a future time, either at an appointed date or indefinitely or as decided by the members present at the scheduled meeting. For a valid adjournment of a General Meeting, the holding of the Meeting at its scheduled time is necessary.

It may be adjourned after some items of business have been transacted and the remaining items can be transacted at the adjourned meeting. Once a meeting is called, the Chairman cannot adjourn it arbitrarily. Its continuance or adjournment rests entirely on the will of the members. If a Chairman vacates the Chair or adjourns the meeting regardless of the views of the majority, those remaining, even if a minority, can appoint a Chairman and conduct the business left unfinished by the former Chairman (Catesby Vs. Burnett, (1916) 2 Ch. 325 (Ch.D)

Where a meeting is unlawfully adjourned by the Chairman thinking that he is not likely to succeed in his object, the remaining members possess the right to continue the meeting and conduct the business left un-transacted by the Chairman (Seth Sobhag Mai Lodha Vs. Edward Mills Co. Ltd. (1972) 42 Com Cases 1 at 18 (Raj).

Further in case of United Bank of India Ltd. Vs. United India Credit and Development Corporation Ltd. (1977) 47 Com Cases 689, it was held that every Chairman has the right to make a bona fide adjournment whilst a poll or other business is proceeding, if circumstances of violent interruption make it unsafe or seriously difficult for the members to tender their votes.

Therefore, though the Chairman has power to adjourn the meeting on its own but only in exceptional cases where it becomes extremely difficult to continue because of violent interruption and continuing the meeting will be unsafe.

(b) In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 as contained under Section 96(1), the first AGM of the company shall be held within a period of 9 months from the date of closing of the first financial year of the company. If a company holds its first AGM as aforesaid, it shall not be necessary to hold such a meeting in the year of its incorporation.

In case of subsequent meetings, AGM shall be held within a period of 6 months, from the date of closing of the financial year. Not more than 15 months shall elapse between the date of one AGM and that of the next. The Registrar may, for any special reason extend the time within which any AGM shall be held by a period not exceeding three months. Registrar however, can not extend the time for the first AGM.

Further, if the AGM is called and held on the scheduled date but could not complete the agenda and the meeting, can be adjourned at a later date (but not later than 30 days) to complete the unfinished agenda, such an adjourned meeting is the continuation of the meeting and only the unfinished agenda for proper notice was already given, shall be transacted. No new business can be transacted at this meeting.

Thus, applying the above provisions in the given case answers to sub-question are:

  • The first AGM of the company should be held within a period of 9 months from the closer of the first financial year of the company. The company should hold the AGM by 31st December, 2014. Any subsequent AGM must be held within a period of 6 months from the close of the financial year i.e. by 30th September, 2015.
  • The adjourned meeting as per the provisions as stated above is the meeting in continuation, only unfinished business can be transacted. Since, no new business can be transacted at this adjourned meeting, shareholders contention in the given case shall not be tenable.

Question 64.
Mr. Kachi was appointed as an additional Director of ROYAL Ltd. w.e.f. 1st October 2015, in a casual vacancy by way of a circular resolution passed by the Board of Directors. The next annual general meeting of the company was due on 31st March, 2016, but the same was not held due to delay in the finalization of the accounts. Some of the shareholders of the company have questioned the validity of the appointment of Mr. Kachi and his continuation as additional Director beyond 31st March, 2016.
Advise the company on the complaint made by the shareholders.
Answer:
Under Section 161 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013 the article of a company may confer on its Board of Directors the power to appoint, other than a person who fails to get appointed as a director in a general meeting, as an additional director at any time who shall hold office up to the date of the next annual general meeting or the last date on which the annual general meeting should have been held, whichever is earlier.

Further, Section 161 (4) states that, if the office of any director appointed by the company in general meeting is vacated before his term of office expires in the normal course, the resulting casual vacancy may, in default of and subject to any regulations in the articles of the company, be filled by the Board of Directors at a meeting of the Board.

In the given case, Mr. Kachi has been appointed as an additional director in order to fill in a casual vacancy. A casual vacancy on the Board can be filled only by means of a Board resolution passed at a meeting of the Board and not by circulation. Therefore, the appointment of Mr. Kachi is invalid.

However, it is rather strange that in the given case Mr. Kachi has been appointed as an additional director to fill a casual vacancy in Board. Actually, additional directors are appointed by the Directors (if authorized by the Articles) to increase the Number of Directors within the legally prescribed limits and not to fill a casual vacancy.

In case Mr. Kachi had been appointed as an additional director not to fill a casual vacancy, his appointment could have been made by a resolution by circulation under Section 161(1) and he would have held office till the date of the nextAGM orthe last date when the nextAGM should have been held, whichever is earlier. In the given case, as the AGM was due on 31st March, 2016 which is presumably the last date for holding it, therefore his appointment would terminate on 31st March, 2016.

Question 65.
Good Homes Ltd. was registered as a public company with 195 members as follows:

No. of members
Directions and their relatives 35
Employees 12
Ex-employees 08
(shares were allotted when they were employees)
Others 140
Total number of members 195

Board of Directors of the company takes a decision to convert the company into a private company. Being a Company Secretary in Practice, the Board of Directors seeks your advice about the steps to be taken for conversion of the company into a private company including reduction in the number of members, if necessary, as per the Companies Act, 2013. Advise the Board.
Answer:
A private company as per Section 2(68) cannot have more than 200 members. As per the requirement of the section present and former employees of the company are not to be counted for the purpose of 200 members. Hence, in the given question, the number of members of public company which is proposed to be converted into a private company is less than 200. Therefore, it may be converted into private company.

The procedure for converting a public company into a private company is as under:

  1. Passing a special resolution authorizing the conversion and altering the articles so as to include therein the restrictions specified in Section 2 (68).
  2. Within 30 days of passing of the special resolution, Form MGT – 14 with a copy of resolution along with explanatory statement under Section 173 and amended copy of Article of Association as attachment along with prescribed filing fees payable.
  3. Changing the name clause of the Memorandum of the company.
  4. Obtaining the approval of the Tribunal as required by Section 14(1). Application in Form INC – 27 along with minutes of members meeting within 3 months from the date of passing of special resolution for alteration of articles to be sent for obtaining approval of Central Government.
  5. Filing of the documents along with a printed copy of the articles as altered with the Registrar within 15 days. [Section 14 (2)].

Question 66.
(i) The authorised share capital of Amaze Ltd. is ₹ 10 crore divided into equity shares of ₹ 100 each. The Board of Directors of the company decides to sub-divide these shares into shares of ₹ 10 each, so that the liquidity in dealing with shares at the stock exchange may become easier. Articles of association of the company are silent on the issue. The company is listed at Bombay Stock Exchange. As the Secretary of the company, what procedure you would follow to give effect to the Board’s proposal under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013?

(ii) Board of Directors of Prince Ltd. decides to go for the issue of secured debentures of ₹ 100 each, to the extent of ₹ 10 crore. Further, as the company is going for the issue of secured debentures, it is required to create a debenture redemption reserve. The Board seeks your advice on the conditions to be fulfilled and compliance of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Advise the Board.

(iii) Rohit, a member of Happy (Pvt.) Ltd. transfers his shares to Yash. Yash submitted the duly executed instrument of transfer. The Board of Directors of the company at its meeting rejected the transfer arbitrarily without assigning any reason. The Articles of the company confer upon the Board to approve or disapprove the transfer.
Examining the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013:

  • Advise Yash, the legal remedy available to him.
  • What shall be your answer in case a relative of Yash wants to take any action against the company to register the transfer?

Answer:
(i) Procedure for Sub-Division of Share Capital: For sub-dividing the share capital of a company, the following procedural steps are required to be taken by the Board of Directors:
1. It must ensure that its articles of’association contain a provision authorising it to sub-divide its shares. If there is no such provision, then the articles have to be altered in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act, 2013, before proceeding to sub-divide its shares.

2. Give twenty-one clear days’ notice of the proposed sub-division of the shares of the company to the stock exchanges on which the securities of the company are listed.

3. In the case of a listed company, make an application to the stock exchange where the securities of the company are listed and any other stock exchange where the company proposes for getting its sub-divided shares listed.

4. Convene and hold a Board Meeting to:

  • Pass a resolution approving the proposed sub-division of the shares of the company;
  • Fix time, date and venue for holding general meeting of the company to pass a special resolution, if so required by the articles for this purpose.
  • Approve notice, agenda and explanatory statement to be annexed to the notice of the general meeting.
  • Authorize the Company Secretary to issue, on behalf of the Board, notice of the general meeting as approved by the Board.

5. Soon after the conclusion of the Board Meeting, send to the stock exchanges, where the securities of the company are listed, particulars of such alteration of share capital of the company.

6. Issue notice of the general meeting along with the explanatory statement, to all members, directors and auditors of the company.

7. In the case of a listed company, forward three copies of the notice of the general meeting along with the explanatory statement, to the concerned stock exchanges.

8. Hold the general meeting and have the resolution (ordinary or special, as the case may be) passed.

9. In the case of a listed company, forward a copy of the proceedings of the general meeting to the concerned stock exchanges.

10. File with the ROC, Form MGT – 14 along with a certified copy of the resolution, the notice and the explanatory statement annexed to the notice of the general meeting at which the resolution was passed and copy of altered Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, within thirty days of the passing of the resolution along with the prescribed filing fee.

11. Give notice of compliance with the provisions of Section 64 of the Companies Act, 2013, for the consolidation of the shares of the company, to the Registrar in Form SH – 7, within thirty days of the passing of the resolution, along with the prescribed filing fee specifying the shares consolidated. The Registrar will record the alteration in the memorandum of the company.

12. Make necessary changes in all the copies of the memorandum of association of the company lying in the office of the company so that no unaltered copy is issued to any person.

(ii) Section 71(4) states that where debentures are issued by any company under this section, the company shall create a debenture redemption reserve account out of the profits of the company available for payment of dividend and the amount credited to such account shall not be utilised by the company except for the redemption of debentures. The company shall create a Debenture Redemption Reserve for the purpose of redemption of debentures, in accordance with the conditions given below:
(a) The Debenture Redemption Reserve shall be created out of the profits of the company available for payment of dividend.

(b) The company shall create Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR) in accordance with following conditions:
1. No DRR is required for debentures issued by All India Financial Institutions (AIFIs) regulated by Reserve Bank of India and Banking Companies for both public as well as privately placed debentures. For other Financial Institutions (FIs) within the meaning of Clause (72) of Section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 DRR will be as applicable to NBFCs registered with RBI.

2. For NBFCs registered with th& RBI under section 45-IA of the RBI (Amendment) Act, 1997, ‘the adequacy’ of DRR will be 25% of the value of debentures issued through public issue as per present SEBI (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, 2008 and no DRR is required in the case of privately placed debentures.

3. For other companies including manufacturing and infrastructure companies, the adequacy of DRR will be 25% of the value of debentures issued through public issue as per present SEBI (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities), Regulations, 2008 and also 25% DRR is required in the case of privately placed debentures by listed company. For unlisted companies issuing debentures on private place basis, the DRR will be 25% of the value of debentures.

(c) Every company required to create Debenture Redemption Reserve shall on or before the 30th day of April in each year, invest or deposit, as the case may be, a sum which shall not be less than fifteen percent, of the amount of its debentures maturing during the year ending on the 31st day of March of the next year, in any one or more of the following methods, namely:

  • in deposits with any scheduled bank, free from any charge or lien;
  • in unencumbered securities of the Central Government or of any State Government;
  • in unencumbered securities mentioned in sub-clauses (a) to (d) and (ee) of Section 20 of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882;
  • in unencumbered bonds issued by any other company which is notified under sub-clause (f) of Section 20 of the Indian Trusts Act, 1882;
  • the amount invested or deposited as above shall not be used for any purpose other than for redemption of debentures maturing during the year referred above: Provided that the amount remaining invested or deposited, as the case may be, shall not at any time fall below fifteen percent of the amount of the debentures maturing during the year ending on the 31st day of March of that year.

(iii) (a) Refusal and Appeal Against refusal to Transfer of Shares in a Private Company:
According to Section 58(1) of the Act, if a private company limited by shares refused, whether in pursuance of any power of the company under its articles or otherwise, to register the transfer of, or the transmission by operation of law of the right to any securities or interest of a member in the company, it shall within a period of thirty days from the date on which the instrument of transfer, or the intimation of such transmission, as the case may be, was delivered to the company, send notice of refusal to the transferor and the transferee or to the person giving intimation of such transmission, as the case may be, giving reasons for such refusal.

While refusing to register transfer of shares, it is necessary that the directors must act in a good faith and for the benefit of a company and shareholders and not for some other purpose. Power of refusal to register transfer of shares should be exercised strictly on the grounds specified in the Articles and not on the basis of any other grounds.

(b) According to Section 58(3) the transferee i.e. Yash, may appeal in-the case of appeal to the Tribunal against the refusal within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of the notice or in the case no notice has been sent by the company, within a period of sixty days from the date on which the instrument of transfer or the intimation of transmission, as the case may be, was delivered to the company.

In case, relative of Yash wants to take any action against the company, he cannot do so as in accordance with Section 58(3) the right to appeal in case of refusal has been restricted to only transferee.

Question 67.
(a) During the financial year 2015-16, Deepak was holding 20% of the paid-up share capital in CML Ltd. He wants to increase his shareholding further by 10%, so that he becomes entitled to exercise more than 25% voting rights. Deepak seeks your advice on the obligations to which he and the company be subject to in this regard. Advise.

(b) Paresh, a shareholder of Perfect Ltd. expired on 1st January, 2016. Raman, the legal heir informs the company about the death of Paresh and submits an application to the company along with the succession certificate issued by a Delhi Tribunal having jurisdiction in the case. The Board of Directors of the company considers Raman’s application and approves the transmission of shares in his name. Draft a resolution to effect the above transmission of shares.
Answer:
(a) In terms of Regulations 3(1) of SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of ., Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011, an acquirer, who (along with persons acting in concert, if any) holds less than 25% shares or voting rights in a target company and agrees to acquire shares or acquires shares which along with his/person acting in concert’s existing shareholding would entitle him to exercise 25% or more shares or voting rights in a target company, will need to make an open offer before acquiring such additional shares.

Accordingly, he has to comply with the obligation relating to open offer including appointment of merchant banker, public announcement etc.

Note : It is presumed that the company is listed company.

In case of an unlisted public limited company – He can acquire shares from other shareholder and get it register in its name. The share transfer instrument shall be in Form SH-4. Transferor shall pay share transfer stamp duty. On submission of duly filled and stamped transfer form along with relevant share certificates to the company, the company shall register the transfer and endorse the share certificates.

(b) Specimen of Board Resolution Approving Registration of Transmission of Shares:
“Resolved that:
(i) Transmission of – nos. of fully paid equity shares of the company bearing distinctive numbers _______ to _______ (both numbers inclusive) presently registered in the name of Shri Paresh who has been reported as deceased on 1st Jan, 2016 in the district of _______ which is situated in the state of U.P. in the name of Shri Raman son of Shri Jai resident of _______ be and is hereby approved.

(ii) Since the company has received a letter from the said Shri Raman, intimating to the company that he has decided to have the said shares registered in his name, the said shares be registered in his name; and

(iii) Shri Amit, Company Secretary, be and is hereby authorized to enter the name of the said Shri Raman, in the register of members of the company and send the relevant share certificates to him after appropriately endorsing them in his name.”

Question 68.
The promoters of Welcome Company incorporated on 8lh June, 2015 has entered into a contract with A on 10th May, 2015 for supply of goods. After incorporation, the company does not want to proceed with the contract. As a company advisor, advise the management of the company, referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
(i) It is not only the company which is allowed, under the Specific Relief Act, to adopt and enforce its pre-incorporation claims against third parties, Section 19 of the Specific Relief Act also allows, the other party to enforce the contract against the company if (i) the company had adopted the same after incorporation, and (ii) the contract is warranted by the terms of incorporation. Contracts like preparation and printing of the memorandum, and articles, remunerating the professionals, if any, for securing the registration of the company, renting premises, hiring secretarial staff are envisaged under the Act.

(ii) Pre-incorporation contracts in general are voidab initio, and hence not binding on the company. However, under Section 19(e) of the Specific Relief Act, 1963, the party to the contract can enforce the contract against the company, if:

  • The company had adopted the same after incorporation, and
  • The contract is warranted by the terms of incorporation.

Thus, unless the company adopts the contract, the other party cannot enforce the same against the Company. There shall be no personal liability for the Promoter, if the agreement provides that:

  • His liability shall cease once the Company adopts the agreement, and
  • Either party may rescind the agreement, if the Company does not adopt it within a specified time.

Question 69.
Examine the validity of the Board of Directors’ decision in respect of the following appointments of directors as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013:
(i) Board of Directors of a company which is not listed at any of the stock exchanges, having a turnover of ₹ 500 crore decides not to appoint women director on the company’s Board.

(ii) Board of Directors of a company, which is not listed at any of the stock exchanges, decides not to appoint a resident director.

(iii) Board of Directors of a company, having paid-up share capital of ₹ 50 crore decides not to appoint an independent director. The company is listed at Bombay Stock Exchange.
Answer:
(i) In accordance with the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 as contained in first Proviso to Section 149(1) read with Rule 3 of Companies (Appointment & Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, the following class of companies shall appoint at least one woman director on the Board of the company:

  • Every listed company.
  • Every other public company having:
    a. Paid-up share capital of ₹ 100 crore or more; or
    b. Turnover of ₹ 300 crore, or more.

Therefore, the company is required to appoint a woman director since it falls within the criteria of appointment. Company’s decision not to a woman director is violative of the provisions.

(ii) Resident Director
The decision of the company not to appoint a Resident Director, is violative of the provisions of Section 149(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, as every company is required to appoint at least one director who has stayed in India for a total period of not less than 182 days in the previous calendar year.

(iii) Independent Director
Section 149(1) of the Act provides that every listed public company shall have at least one-third of the total number of directors as Independent Directors.

Rule 4 of Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 provides that the following class or classes of companies shall have at least 2 directors as Independent Directors:

  • The public companies having paid up share capital of ₹ 10 crore or more; or
  • The public companies having turnover of ₹ 100 crore or more; or
  • The public companies which have, in aggregate outstanding loans, debentures and deposits, exceeding ₹ 50 crore.

In the given case since the company is listed at Bombay Stock Exchange, it is required to appointment at 1/3rd of the total number of directors as Independent Directors. Therefore, Board’s decision not to appointment Independent Director is violative of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.

Question 70.
Mr. Biron was appointed as the Managing Director of NIVA LTD. for a period of 5 years w.e.f. 1st January, 2014. Since his work was found unsatisfactory, his services were terminated from 20th October, 2015 by paying compensation for the loss of office as provided in the agreement entered into by the company. Later, the company discovered that during his tenure of office Mr. Biron was guilty of many corrupt practices and that he should have been removed without payment of compensation. Advise the company whether the services of Managing Director can be terminated without payment of compensation as provided in the agreement and whether the company can recover the amount already paid to Mr. Biron.
Answer:
According to Section 202 of the Companies Act, 2013 a Managing Director is entitled to be paid compensation for loss of office. However, Section 202(2)(e) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that no compensation is payable if the director concerned has been guilty of fraud or breach of trust or of gross negligence in or gross mismanagement in the conduct of the affairs of the Company.

However, in the present case, compensation amount was paid and subsequently the misconduct on the part of Mr. Biron was noticed by the company. In the case of Bell -Vs-Lever Bros (1932), Lever Bros removed their Managing Director of a subsidiary by paying them compensation. It was afterwards discovered that during his tenure of office he had been guilty of so many breaches of duty and corrupt practices that he could have been removed without compensation. As action was then commenced to recover back the compensation money. It was held that Bell was not bound to refund the compensation money and to disclose any breach of his fiduciary obligation so as to give the company an opportunity to dismiss him.

Thus, in normal circumstances, the company (NIVA Ltd.) is entitled to terminate the services of Mr. Biron as Managing Director without payment of compensation as he was guilty of many corrupt practices. In the present case, however, the company will not be able to recover the compensation money already paid to Mr. Biron, Managing Director.

Question 71.
Explaining the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 relating to appointment of a debenture trustee, examine the validity of appointment of the following persons as debenture trustee by a company going for issue of debentures:
(i) Sachin has pecuniary relationship with the company amounting to 1 % of the total income during the two immediately preceding financial years.
(ii) Akash is indebted to an associate company of the company going to appoint such a trustee.
Answer:
According to Section 71(5) of Companies Act, 2013, the appointment of debenture trustees is compulsory in case the prospectus is issued to more than 500 persons for subscription of debentures. Further, the Rule 18 specifies that for secured debentures issued by any type of company, the company shall appoint a debenture trustee before the issue of prospectus or letter of offer for subscription of its debentures and not later than 60 days after the allotment of the debentures.

The conditions governing the appointment of debenture trustees under sub-section (5) of Section 71 are prescribed under Rule 18(2) of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 as under:
(a) The names of the debenture trustees shall be stated in letter of offer inviting subscription for debentures and also in all the subsequent notices or other communications sent to the debenture holders.

(b) Before the appointment of debenture trustee or trustees, a written – consent shall be obtained from such debenture trustee or trustees proposed to be appointed and a statement to that effect shall appear in the letter of offer issued for inviting the subscription of the debentures.

(c) A person shall not be appointed as a debenture trustee, if he:

  • Beneficially holds shares in the company.
  • Is a promoter, director or key managerial personnel o any other officer or an employee of the company or its holding, subsidiary or associate company.
  • Is beneficially entitled to moneys which are to be paid by the company otherwise than as remuneration payable to the debenture trustee.
  • Is indebted to the company, or its subsidiary or its holding or associate company or a subsidiary or its holding company.
  • Has furnished any guarantee in respect of the principal debts secured by the debentures or interest thereon.
  • Has any pecuniary relationship with the company amounting to 2% or more of its gross turnover or total income or ₹ 50 lakhs or such higher amount as may be prescribed, whichever is lower, during the 2 immediately preceding financial years or during the current financial year.
  • Is relative of any promoter or an person who is in the employment of the company as a director or key managerial personnel.

Taking into account the above conditions, answers to sub-question are:

  • Yes, Sachin can be appointed as a debenture trustee since his pecuniary relationship with the company is less than 2%.
  • No, Akash cannot be appointed since he is indebted to an associate company of the company going to appoint the debentures trustee, since he does not fulfill the condition.

Question 72.
(a) Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, examine the validity of each of the following contributions:
(i) The Board of Directors of Laxmi Ltd. decides to contribute to charitable funds, a sum of 10% of the company’s average profits earned for the 5 years immediately preceding the financial year 2015-16.

(ii) The Board of Directors of MNR Ltd. incorporated on 2nd April, 2015 decides to pay 10% of the profit of the company earned during the period of 6 months in the financial year 2015-16, towards political contribution to some political parties.

(b) A general meeting of the members of RST Ltd. was called to transact certain special business. Before the scheduled day and time of the meeting, the Chairman of the meeting suo moto due to certain personal reasons adjourned the meeting. Certain members of the company challenge the decision of the Chairman on the ground that the Chairman’s action to adjourn the meeting is violative of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Decide with reasons in brief:

  • Whether the contention of the members be tenable?
  • Whether the company is required to send a fresh notice for the adjourned meeting as the articles of association are silent on the issue?
  • In case the meeting is a requisitioned meeting and on the scheduled day and time, the required quorum is not present, state whether the members on their own can hold the meeting and pass necessary resolutions.

(c) Every listed company and certain class or classes of public companies as prescribed under Rules are required to have independent directors on its Board. Sahyajog Ltd., a listed company, has appointed Raghu as one of the independent directors on its Board. Being the Company Secretary of the company, you have been asked by the management to suggest a format of the declaration to be given by the independent director under Section 149(6). Advise the company.
Answer:
(a) (i) According to Section 181, the Board of Directors of a company may contribute to bona fide charitable and other funds:
Provided that prior permission of the company in general meeting shall be required for such contribution in case any amount the aggregate of which, in any financial year, exceed five percent of its average net profits for the three immediately preceding financial years. Accordingly, the Company in this case can contribute the said contribution only by prior permission by way a resolution passed by the general meeting of the members. As the permissible limit is 5% of average net profits for three immediately preceding financial years.

(ii) Prohibition and Restrictions Regarding Political Contribution: According to Section 182 (1) the following companies are barred from making political contributions:

  • Government company
  • The company which has been in existence for less than 3 financial years, may contribute any amount directly or indirectly to any political party:

Provided that the amount referred to in sub-section (1) or, as the case may be, the aggregate of the amount which may be so contributed by the company in any financial year shall not exceed seven and a half percent of its average net profits during the three immediately preceding financial years:

Provided further that no such contribution shall be made by a company unless a resolution authorizing the making of such contribution is passed at a meeting of the Board of Directors and such resolution shall, subject to the other provisions of this section, be deemed to be justification in law for making and the acceptance of the contribution authorized by it.

The decision of the Board in the given is also violative of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 viz:

  • the company has been in existence for less than one year and
  • the contribution to be made is beyond the limit of 7-1/2%. Therefore, the company cannot pay the said contribution.

Note:
Section 154 of the Finance Act, 2017 amends Section 182 of the Companies Act, 2013. As per the amendment, the limit on the maximum amount that can be contributed by a company to a political party has been removed.

(b) For a valid adjournment of a General Meeting, the holding of the meeting at its scheduled time is necessary. A duly convened meeting should not be adjourned arbitrarily by the Chairman. The Chairman may adjourn a meeting with the consent of the members and shall adjourn a meeting if so decided by the members. The meeting may, however, be adjourned at any time. It may be adjourned after some items of business have been transacted and the remaining items can be transacted at the adjourned meeting.

The Chairman may, with the consent of any meeting at which a Quorum is present, and shall, if so directed by the meeting, adjourn the meeting from time to time and from place to place and may adjourn the meeting for bona fide reasons. Once a meeting is called, the Chairman cannot adjourn it arbitrarily, its continuance or adjournment rests entirely on the will of the members. (Regulation 49 of Table F of Schedule I : Companies Act, 2013).
Accordingly,
(i) Contention of the members is tenable.

(ii) Para 15.2,15.3 and 15.4 of SS-2 provide for provisions relating to notice of adjourned meeting and states that if a Meeting is adjourned sine-die or for a period of thirty days or more, a Notice of the adjourned Meeting shall be given in accordance with the provisions contained herein above relating to Notice.

15.3 If a Meeting is adjourned for a period of less than thirty days, the company shall give not less than three days’ Notice specifying the day, date, time and venue of the Meeting, to the Members either individually or by publishing an advertisement in a vernacular newspaper in the principal vernacular language of the district in which the registered office of the company is situated, and in an English newspaper in English language, both having a wide circulation in that district.

15.4 If a Meeting, other than a requisitioned Meeting, stands j adjourned for want of Quorum, the adjourned Meeting shall be held on the same day, in the next week at the same time and place or on such other day, not being a National Holiday, or at such other time and place as may be determined by the Board.

(iii) In case of requisitioned meeting, if the required Quorum is not < present, the meeting stands cancelled/dissolved. Members presents, in the absence of Quorum cannot hold the meeting. If they hold the meeting and pass the resolutions, these will not be valid and not binding upon the company. (Para 15.5 of SS-2).

(c)
M/s,
Dear Sir,
I undertake to comply with the conditions laid down under section 149(6) and schedule IV of the Companies Act, 2013 in relation to conditions of independence and in particular.

(a) I declare that up to the date of this declaration, apart from receiving director’s remuneration, I did not have any material pecuniary relationship or transactions with the Company, its promoters, its directors it senior management or its holding company, its subsidiary and associates as named in the Annexure thereto which may affect my independence as director on the Board of the Company.

I further declare that I will not enter into any such relationship/transaction; however, if and when I intend to enter into any such relationship/transactions, whether material or non-material I shall seek prior approval of the Board. I agree that I shall cease to be an independent director from the date of entering into such relationship/transaction.

(b) I declare that I am not related to promoters or persons occupying management positions at the board level or at one level below the board and also have not been an executive of the Company in the immediately preceding three financial years.

(c) I was not a partner or an employee or was also not partner or an employee during the preceding three years, of any of the following:

  • The firm of auditors or Company Secretary in Practice or cost auditors of this company or its holding subsidiary or associate company; and
  • the legal firm(s) and consulting firms(s) that has or had any transaction with company, its holding subsidiary or associate company amounting to 10% or more of gross turnover of such firm.

Thanking You,

Yours faithfully,
Raghu

Date :
Place:

Question 73.
The Board of Directors of PQR Ltd. wishes to accept deposits. As a Company Secretary of PQR Ltd., prepare the check list for secretarial compliance for acceptance of deposits as per the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
Check List of Secretarial Compliance for Acceptance of Deposits as per Companies Act, 2013:
Check list of secretarial compliance for acceptance of deposits under Companies Act, 2013 are discussed below. The Company Secretary should check:
1. Whether proper Board Meeting has been held and the matter of acceptance of deposit has been proposed and issue of notice for holding general meeting for obtaining approval of the shareholder has been taken place.

2. Whether general meeting has been held and approval of the shareholders by means of a special or ordinary resolution has been passed.

3. Whether the said resolution has been filed with Registrar in Form MGT-14 within 30 days of passing of such resolution.

4. Whether Board Meeting has been held to obtain the approval for the draft Circular/Form of Advertisement from the Board and the said draft Circular/Form of Advertisement has been signed by majority of the directors of the company.

5. Whether copy of Circular/Form of Advertisement approved by the Board has been filed with the Registrar of Companies in Form DPT-1 for registration.

6. Whether one or more deposit trustees for creating security for the secured deposits has been appointed and the company has executed a deposit trust deed in Form DPT-2 at least seven days before issuing circular or circular in the form of advertisement.

7. Whether the company has obtain the rating unless exempted, (including its net worth, liquidity and ability to pay its deposits on due date) from a recognized credit rating agency for informing the public the rating given to the company.

8. Whether the company has issued circular/form of advertisement after 30 days from the date of filing of a copy of Circular/Form of Advertisement with the Registrar.

9. Whether the circular has been issued to members by registered post with acknowledgment due or speed post or by electronic mode or publish the circular in the form of an advertisement in Form DPT-1 and in addition to such issue of circular the company has published the same in one English newspaper and one vernacular language in vernacular newspaper having wide circulation in the state of registered office of the company.

10. Whether the company has uploaded the copy of the circular on the Company’s website, if any.

11. Whether the company has issued deposit receipt in the prescribed format and under the signature of officer duly authorized by Board, within a period of two weeks from the date of receipt of money or realization of cheques.

12. Whether the company has made entries in the register as per the instruction provided in the rules within seven days from the date of issuance of the deposit receipt and such entries shall be authenticated by a director or secretary of the Company or by any other officer authorized by the Board.

13. Whether the company has filed deposit return in Form DPT-3 by furnishing information contained therein as on 31st day of March duly audited by auditors before 30th June every year.

14. Whether the company has prepared the statement regarding deposits existing as on the date of commencement of the act in Form DPT-4.

Question 74.
(a) You being the Secretary of Aryan Ltd., have been asked by the Board of Directors to make a report on Corporate Governance as required under clause 49* of the listing agreement. State the procedure you would follow and the information you would include in the report relating to:

  • General meeting of the company; and
  • Nomination and Remuneration Committee.

Note:
Regulation 19 and 21 (1)(2) and Part E of Schedule II of the SEBI (LODR)
Regulations, 2015.

(b) Board of Directors of Princeton Ltd. in the absence of adequate profits in the financial year 2014-15, wants to recommend dividend out of company’s reserves. Advise the Board about the conditions to be complied with and the procedure to be followed in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. (4 marks)

(c) ABC Ltd. declared dividend, but failed to make the payments to shareholders. Advise the company about the consequence for such default and also list out the circumstances under which no prosecution lies in spite of the fact that the company fails to pay dividend even after declaration.

(d) Star Gold Ltd., declared and paid dividend in time to all its equity holders for the financial year 2014-15, except in the following two cases:
(i) Mrs. Sheela, holding 250 shares had mandated the company to directly deposit the dividend amount in her bank account. The company, accordingly remitted the dividend but the bank returned the payment on the ground that there was difference in surname of the payee in the bank records. The company, however, did not inform Mrs. Sheela about this discrepancy.

(ii) Dividend amount of ₹ 50,000 was not paid to Mr. Mohan, deceased, in view of court order restraining the payment due to family dispute about succession. You are required to analyse these cases with reference to provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 regarding failure to distribute dividends.
Answer:
(a) Under SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 a listed company is required to submit a quarterly compliance report on corporate governance in the format as specified by the Board from time to time to the recognised stock exchanges(s) within fifteen days from close of the quarter.
Procedure for making report on Corporate Governance:

As per the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015, the company shall have a separate section on Corporate Governance in the Annual Report of the company with a detailed compliance report on Corporate Governance. The same is also to be disclosed at the website of the company.

  • Prepare a checklist with regard to all the information required to be included in the report.
  • To check all the related documents from which information for preparing the report needs to be extracted.
  • The report shall be signed either by the compliance officer or the chief executive officer of the listed entity.

Information to be included in Corporate Governance Report w.r.t.:
(i) Nomination and Remuneration Committee:

  • brief description of terms of reference;
  • composition, name of members and chairperson;
  • meeting and attendance during the year;
  • performance evaluation criteria for independent directors.

(ii) General body meetings:

  • location and time, where last three annual general meetings held;
  • whether any special resolutions passed in the previous three annual general meetings;
  • whether any special resolution passed last year through postal ballot- details of voting pattern;
  • person who conducted the postal ballot exercise;
  • whether any special resolution is proposed to be conducted through postal ballot;
  • procedure for postal ballot.

(b) Rule 3 of the Companies (Declaration and Payment of Dividend) Rules, 2014 makes rules for declaration of dividend out of reserve.
In the event of inadequacy or absence of profits in any year, a company may declare dividend out of surplus subject to the fulfillment of the
following conditions, namely:
(1) The rate of dividend shall not exceed the average of the rates at which dividend was declared by the company in the three years immediately preceding that year. However, the sub-rule shall not apply to a company, which has not declared any dividend in each of. the three preceding financial year.

(2) The total amount to be drawn from such accumulated profits shall not exceed one-tenth of the sum of its paid-up share capital and free reserves as appearing in the latest audited financial statement.

(3) The amount so drawn shall first be utilised to set off the losses incurred in the financial year in which dividend is declared before any dividend in respect of equity shares is declared.

(4) The balance of reserves after such withdrawal shall not fall below fifteen percent of the company’s paid – up share capital as appearing in the latest audited financial statement.

4th proviso to Section 123(1) provides that no company shall declare dividend unless carried over previous losses and depreciation not provided in previous year are set off against profit of the company of the current year.

The procedure is as follows:
(1) Give notice to all the directors of the company for holding a Board Meeting. In the meeting take decision to declare dividend out of company’s reserves because of inadequacy or absence of profits and also fix the date, time and place of the Annual General Meeting. Authorise the Company Secretary or any competent person if the company does not have a Company Secretary to issue the notice of the AGM on behalf of the Board of Directors of the company to all the members, directors and auditors of the company and other persons entitled to receive the same.

(2) Ensure that the Companies (Declaration and Payment of Dividend) Rules, 2014 are complied with.

(3) While calculating the profits of the previous years, take only the net profit after tax. .

(4) Ensure that while computing the amount of profits, the amount transferred from the Development Rebate Reserve is included and all items of capital reserves including reserves created by revaluation of assets are excluded.

(5) In the case of listed companies, inform the Stock Exchange with which the shares of the company are listed within 30 minutes of closure of Board Meeting about decision to recommend declaration of dividend out of Company’s Reserves. [Regulation 30 of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015].

(6) Issue notices in writing at least 21 days before the date of the Annual General Meeting and hold the meeting and pass the necessary resolution.

(7) In the case of listed companies, forward copies of the notice and a copy of the proceeding of the general meeting to the Stock Exchange.

(8) Open a separate bank account for making dividend payment and credit the said bank account with the total amount of dividend payable within five days of declaration of dividend.

(9) Issue dividend warrants within 30 days from the date of declaration of dividend. Rest of the procedural steps are same as in case of payment of final dividend.

(c) Punishment for Failure to Distribute Dividend (Section 127): Where a dividend has been declared by a company but has not been paid or the warrant in respect thereof has not- been posted within thirty days from the date of declaration to any shareholder entitled to the payment of the dividend, (a) every director of the company shall, if he is knowingly a party to the default, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years and with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees for every day during which such default continues and (between the company shall be liable to pay simple interest at the rate of eighteen percent per annum during the period for which such default continues.

No offence under this section shall be deemed to have been committed:
(a) where the dividend could not be paid by reason of the operation of any law;

(b) where a shareholder has given directions to the company regarding the payment of the dividend and those directions cannot be complied with and the same has been communicated to him;

(c) where there is a dispute regarding the right to receive the dividend;

(d) where the dividend has been lawfully adjusted by the company against any sum due to it from the shareholder; or

(e) where, for any other reason, the failure to pay the dividend or to post the warrant within the period under this section was not due to any default on the part of the company.

(d) (i) Section 127 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides for punishment for failure to distribute dividend on time. One of such situations is where a shareholder has given directions to the company regarding the payment of the dividend and those directions cannot be complied with and the same has not been communicated to her. In the given situation, the company has failed to communicate to the shareholder Mrs. Sheela about non-compliance of her direction regarding payment of dividend.

Hence, the penal provisions under Section 127 will be applicable.

(ii) Section 127, inter-alia, provides that no offence shall be deemed to have been committed where the dividend could not be paid by reason of operation of law.

In the present circumstance, the dividend could not be paid because it was not allowed to be paid by the court until the matter was resolved about succession. Hence, there will not be any liability on the company and its Directors etc.

Question 75.
(a) Watson Ltd., a company incorporated in Australia, has a place of business through an agent in Mumbai. The agent transacts the business on behalf of the company through electronic mode. As regards Watson Ltd., answer the following:

  • Whether Watson Ltd. shall be called a foreign company within the meaning of the Companies Act, 2013?
  • What are the regulatory requirements under the Companies Act, 2013 to be complied with by such a company which has established its place of business in India?
  • State the regulatory provisions under the Foreign Exchange Management (Establishment in India of Branch or Office or other Place of Business) Regulations, 2016.

(b) Ruchi (Pvt.) Ltd., a company incorporated under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, gives you the following information:

  • Paid-up equity share capital ₹ 40 lakh
  • Average annual turnover during the last 3 years ₹ 1 crore

The Board of Directors of the company decides to convert the company into a One Person’ Company (OPC). Examining the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, advise the Board about the statutory requirements to be complied with for giving effect to the Board’s proposal.

(c) Priya Ltd. has passed a resolution in the genera! meeting of the company for alteration of articles of association, thereby adopting new set of articles of association by following the statutory procedure in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. In this connection, answer the following:

  • What are the implications of adoption of new articles of association?
  • Draft a specimen resolution with explanatory statement for alteration of the articles and adoption of new set of articles of association.

Answer:
(a) (i) In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, as contained under Section 2(42) ‘foreign company’ means any company or body corporate incorporated outside India which:

  • has a place of business in India whether by itself or through an agent, physically or through electronic mode;
  • conducts any business activity in India in any other manner.
    In this case since the foreign company (incorporated in Australia) transacts its business through an agent by electronic mode in Mumbai, it is a foreign company.

(ii) Every foreign company shall, within thirty days of the establishment of its place of business in India, deliver to the Registrar for registration [Section 380(1)]:

  • a certified copy of the charter, statute or memorandum and articles of the company or other instrument constituting or defining the constitution of the company and if the instrument is not in English language, a certified translation thereof in the English language;
  • the full address of the registered or principal office of the company;
  • a list of the directors and secretary of the company with particulars;
  • the names and addresses of one or more persons resident in India authorised to accept on behalf of the company service of process and any notices or other documents required to be served on the company;
  • the full address of the office of the company in India which is deemed to be its principal place of business in India;
  • particulars of opening and closing of a place of business in India on earlier occasions;
  • declaration that none of the directors of the company or authorised representative in India has ever been convicted or debarred from formation of companies and management in India or abroad; or
  • other prescribed particulars.

According to Section 380(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 3(3) of the Companies (Registration of Foreign Companies) Rules, 2014 where any alteration is made or occurs in the document delivered to the Registrar for registration under Sub-section (1) of Section 380, the foreign company shall file with the Registrar, a return in Form FC-2 along with the fee as provided in the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014 containing the particulars of the alteration, within a period of thirty days Irom the date on which the alteration was made or occurred.

(iii) A foreign company or individual planning to set up business operations in India can do so through a Liaison Office/Representative Office, Project Office or a Branch Office. The Foreign Exchange Management (Establishment in India of Branch and Office or Other Place of Business) Regulations, 2016 govern the opening and operation of such offices Accordingly, Companies incorporated outside India, desirous of opening a Liaison Office or Branch Office in India have to make an application in Form FNC1 through an AD Category I bank which is authorized by RBI to forward such application to the Chief-Manager-in-charge of RBI Foreign Exchange Department, FDI division, Central Office, Mumbai-400001.

(b) In terms of Rule 7 of Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 a private company other than a company registered under section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, having paid-up share capital of ₹ 50 lacs or average annual turnover during the relevant period is ₹ 2 crore or less may convert itself into One Person Company by passing a special resolution in the general meeting.

Before passing such resolution, the company shall obtain No Objection in writing from members and creditors. The OPC shall file copy of the special resolution with the Registrar of Companies within 30 days from the date of passing such resolution in Form No. MGT-14.

The company shall file an application in Form No. INC-6 for its conversion into OPC along with fees as provided in the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014, by attaching the following documents, viz.

  • The directors of the company shall give a declaration by way of affidavit duly sworn in confirming that all members and creditors of the company have given their consent for conversion, the paid-up share capital of the company is ₹ 50 lacs or less and average annual turnover is less than ₹ 2 crore, as the case may be.
  • The list of members and list of directors.
  • The latest Audited Financial Statement, and
  • The copy of No Objection letter of secured creditors.

On being satisfied with compliance of above-mentioned requirements, the Registrar shall issue the Certificate of Incorporation in the same manner as its first registration.

Accordingly, since the paid-up equity share capital and an average annual turnover of the company are within the prescribed limits as referred above, it can be converted into an OPC, by following the procedure as stated above (Rule 7 of Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 and also by alteration of Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company as per the provisions of Section 18 of the Companies Act, 2013).

(c) (i) Section 14 of the Companies Act, 2013 lays down that subject to the provisions of the Act and to the conditions contained in its memorandum, a company may, by a special resolution, alter its articles.

Every alteration shall be filed with the Registrar together with a printed copy of the altered articles within a period of 15 days. [Section 14(2)]. Any alteration of the articles so registered, shall be valid as if it were originally in the articles. A company may alter its articles in accordance with the above provisions in any of the manners mentioned below.

  • by adoption of new set of articles;
  • by addition/insertion of an article;
  • by amendment of a specific article; or
  • by substitution of a specific article.

Implications of adoption of new articles of association:
In terms of Section 14(3), any alteration of the articles registered with Registrar shall by valid as if it were originally in the articles. All members of the company become bound by a valid alternation whether they voted for or against it. (Hari Chandana Yoga Deva v. Hindustan Co-op Insurance Society Ltd. AIR 1925 Cal. 690.) A provision of the Articles which has the effect of limiting the company’s share capital to a fixed amount would have no effect being contrary to the Act. [Muheer Hemant Mafatlal v. Mafatlal Industries Ltd. (1987) 89 Bom LR 86 (Bom)].

Power of alteration can be exercised only in good faith in the interest of the company as a whole. A discriminatory amendment depriving some members of their rights qua members would be struck down as invalid. [Tapas Sinha Roy v. Linkman Services P. Ltd. (2007) 77 CLA 340 (CLB)].

(ii) “RESOLVED THAT the Article of Association of the Company by and are hereby replaced by the adoption of new set of articles as provided ‘ in Tables F, G, H, I & J in Schedule I as the case may be of the Companies Act, 2013.

Explanatory Statement:
The present Articles of Association of the company were adopted in …………….. The Act has since been amended several times. Moreover certain other Acts have affected various provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. The directors of the company believe that it is desirable that the articles of association of the company be revised so that they fully reflect not only the law governing the company and rules and regulations made thereunder, but is also in conformity with modern secretarial practices and complies with the requirements of the listing agreements of the stock exchanges on which the company’s shares are listed.

Since the proposed alterations, deletions, insertions etc. to the present articles of association are numerous, it is more convenient to adopt an altogether new set of articles of association incorporating all the proposed alterations.

Question 76.
Ajay Ltd. had given a loan of ₹ 10 crore to Binoy Ltd. and created a charge on the assets of the company. But Binoy Ltd. failed to register the charge within the stipulated time. Can Ajay Ltd. register the charge with the Registrar of Companies? If yes, what shall be the procedure?

(b) Mr. Raman is a Managing Director of X company. He resigns from his office as a result of amalgamation of the X company with the other body corporate. Further he is appointed as the Managing Director of the body corporate resulting from the amalgamation. State in the light of the Companies Act, 2013 whether in this situation, is company liable towards Managing Director to compensate for the loss of office after his resignation.

(c) Charminar Ltd. raised money through prospectus with the object of starting a new automobile spare parts manufacturing unit. After investing in this manufacturing unit, few crore of rupees are left unutilised and the company proposes to invest the same for some other purpose than what is mentioned in the prospectus. Advise.

(d) Rise Ltd. was incorporated under the provisions of the, Companies Act, 2013 and certificate of incorporation was issued by the Registrar of Companies (ROC), New Delhi. Due to inadvertence, the name of the company was found to be similar to the name of another company already registered with the ROC. The ROC on knowing this fact serves a notice upon the company for rectification of the name. Referring to the provisions of the Act, answer the following:

What action shall the company take in response to the notice served upon the company by the Registrar of Companies?
What will be the position in case the directors of the company suomoto apply to the Central Government for rectification of name of the company?
What are the implications of rectification of name of the company on the contracts already entered into by the company? Also, state whether the change/rectification shall result in the dissolution of the company.

Answer:
(a) Yes, Ajay Ltd. can register the charge, According to Section 78 where a company fails to register the charge within the period specified above, the person in whose favour the charge is created may apply to the Registrar for registration of the charge along with the instrument created for the charge in Form No. CHG-1 or Form No. CHG-9, as the case may be, duly signed along with fee. The registrar may, on such application, give notice to the company about such application.

The company may either itself register the charge or shows sufficient cause why such charge should not be registered. On failure on part of the company, the Registrar may allow registration of such charge within fourteen days after giving notice to the company. Where registration is affected on application of the person in whose favour the charge is created, that person shall be entitled to recover from the company, the amount of any fee or additional fees paid by him to the Registrar for the purpose of registration of charge.

(b) According to Section 202 of the Companies Act, 2013, a company may make payment to a managing or whoie-time director or manager, but not to any other director, by way of compensation for loss of office, or as consideration for retirement from office or in connection with such loss or retirement. However, in certain situations, no compensation shall be made by the company.

As per the situation given in Section 202(2)(a), where the director resigns from his office as a result of the reconstruction of the company, or of its amalgamation with any other body corporate or bodies corporate, and is appointed as the managing or whole-time director, manager or other officer of the reconstructed company or of the body corporate resulting from the amalgamation; no company shall make payment by way of compensation for loss of office to a managing or whole-time director or manager.

Hence, in the above case Mr. Raman, a Managing Director of X company resigns from his office as a result of amalgamation of the said company with the other body corporate. He is appointed as Managing Director of the Body Corporate resulting from the amalgamation. So accordingly, as per the above stated provision, company shall not make compensation to Mr. Raman for the loss of office due to his resignation on account of amalgamation of the company with other body corporate.

(c) The Rule 32 of Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 contains the provisions for change of objects for which the money is raised through prospectus:
(1) Where the company has raised money from public through prospectus and has any unutilised amount out of the money so raised, it she’! not change the objects for which the money so raised is to be applied unless a special resolution is passed through postal ballot and the notice in respect of the resolution for altering the objects shall contain the following particulars, namely:

  • the total money received;
  • the total money utilized for the objects stated in the prospectus;
  • the unutilized amount out of the money so raised through prospectus,
  • the particulars of the proposed alteration or change in the objects;
  • the justification for the alteration or change in the objects;
  • the amount proposed to be utilised for the new objects;
  • the estimated financial impact of the proposed alteration on the earnings and cash flow of the company;
  • the other relevant information which is necessary for the members to take an informed decision on the proposed resolution;
  • the place from where any interested person may obtain a copy of the notice of resolution to be passed.

(2) The advertisement giving details of each resolution to be passed for change in objects which shall be published simultaneously with dispatch of postal ballot notices to shareholders.

(3) The notice shall also be placed on the website of the company, if any. In addition to the above specific procedure, the company should alter the objects clause of the Memorandum of Association of the company by following the procedure for the Alteration of Memorandum of the Association of the Company as provided u/s 13 of the Companies Act, 2013.

On the successful completion of the procedure as mentioned herein above, and passing of the special resolution by postal ballot Charminar Ltd., may invest the unutilized funds/money for some other purpose which is different from an object of starting a new automobile spare parts manufacturing unit for which the money is raised through the issue of prospectus.

(d) In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, as contained under section 16(1)(a), if a company is registered through inadvertence or otherwise by a name which is identical with or too nearly resembles, the name by which a company in existence has been previously registered, the company itself shall change the name by passing of an ordinary resolution at the direction of the Central Government. In such a case, the company should pass an ordinary resolution within’3 months from the date of the issue of such direction. There is no time limit for Central Government to issue such direction.

Further, according to Section 16(1)(b) of the Companies Act, 2013, a registered proprietor of a trademark may apply to the Central Government within 3 years of incorporation or registration or change of name of the company whether under this Act or any previous company law for issuing direction to the company for change of its name on the ground that the name of the said company is identical with or too nearly resembles to a registered trademark of such proprietor under the Trademarks Act, 1999.

Where, in the opinion of the Central Government the name is identical with or too nearly resembles to an existing trademark, it may direct the company to change its name. And, the company shall change its name or new name as the case may be, within a period of 6 months from the date of issue of such direction by adopting an ordinary resolution.

Accordingly:
(i) The company shall apply to the Central Government for rectification of name by filing of Form INC-1 for the name availability and then by passing an ordinary resolution within 3 months from the date of issuance of such direction and the same be intimated to the concerned ROC for the issuance of the Fresh Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as prescribed under Section 16(2) of the Companies Act, 2013.

(ii) If the directors suomoto apply to the Central Government for the change of name of the company then they have to follow the regular procedure of the change of name of the company as prescribed under Section 13 of the Companies Act, 2013.

(iii) In third case, change of name shall not affect any rights or obligations of the company (i.e. there will be no adverse effect on the contracts already entered by the company). Further, the change of name of the company does not result in the company’s dissolution.

And, the fresh Certificate of Incorporation issued on the approval of the change of name of the company would not be treated as given for reforming or re-incorporating the company as a new entity since the salient feature of the company of the continuance existence of the company would remain in force even after completion of the procedure for the change of name of the company.

Question 77.
Board of Directors of Western Ltd. decides to issue equity shares to the extent of ₹ 10 crore on private placement basis. Explain the procedure the company should follow to give effect to the Board’s proposal.
Answer:
1. Hold the board meeting and pass board resolution for convening the meeting of members and approving draft notice of meeting of members.

2. Hold the general meeting and pass the special resolution.

3. Send letter of offer in Form PAS – 4 along with application form to the proposed subscribers, whose names are recorded by the company prior to the invitation subscribe.

4. File Form MGT -14 along with the fees as provided in the Companies (Registration of Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014, with the Registrar within 30 days of passing the resolution.

5. The explanatory statement annexed to the notice for the general meeting required u/s 102 shall disclose the basis or justification for the price (including premium, if any) at which the offer or invitation is being made.

6. If the said offer or invitation is for non-convertible debentures, it shall be sufficient if the company has passed a previous special resolution during year for all the offers or invitation for such debentures.

7. The offer or invitation shall not be made to not more than 200 persons in the aggregate in a financial year excluding QIBs and employees offered securities under ESOP.

8. The value of such offer or invitation per person shall be with an investment size of not less than 20,000 rupees of face value of the securities.

9. All monies payable towards subscription of securities under this section shall be paid through cheque or demand draft or other banking channels but not by cash.

10. The payment to be made for subscription to securities shall be made from the bank account of the person subscribing to such securities and the company shall keep the record of the Bank Account from where such payments for subscriptions have been received and the monies payable on subscription to securities to be 66 PP-ACL&P held by joint holders shall be paid from the bank account of the person whose name appears first in the application.

11. The company shall maintain a complete record of private placement offers in Form PAS-5.

12. File Form PAS-5 along with the private placement offer letter in Form PAS-4 with the Registrar with fee as provided in Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014 and where the company is listed, with the Securities and Exchange Board within a period of 30 days of circulation of the private placement offer letter.

13. A return of allotment of securities under section 42 shall be filed with the Registrar within fifteen days of allotment in Form PAS-3 and with the fee as provided in the Companies (Registration Offices and Fecc/ Rules, 2014 along with a complete list of all security holders containing:

  • The full name, address, Permanent Account Number and E-mail ID of such security holder;
  • The class of security held;
  • The date of allotment of security;
  • The number of securities held, nominal value and amount paid on such securities; and particulars of consideration received if the securities were issued for consideration other than cash.

14. Issue share certificates and update minutes book and registers.

15. Company shall intimate the details of allotment of securities to depository immediately on allotment of such shares.

Question 78.
Explaining the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules thereof relating to the appointment of audit committee, its composition and the role played by such committee, state whether the following companies are required to appoint such committee:
(i) A public company having a turnover of ₹ 900 crore.
(ii) A public company which has aggregate outstanding deposits of ₹ 100 crore.
Answer:
As per Section 177(1), the Board of Directors of every listed company and the following prescribed companies are required to constitute Audit Committee:

  • all public companies with a paid up capital of ten crore rupees or more;
  • all public companies having turnover of one hundred crore rupees or more;
  • all public companies, having in aggregate, outstanding loans or borrowings or debentures or deposits exceeding fifty crore rupees or more.

Composition of an Audit Committee:
In terms of Section 177(2) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Audit Committee shall consist of a minimum of three directors with independent directors forming a majority. Majority of members of Audit Committee including its Chairperson shall be persons with ability to read and understand, the financial statement.

Role of Audit Committee:
Every Audit Committee shall act in accordance with the terms of reference specified in writing by the Board.

Terms of reference as prescribed by the board shall inter alia, include :
(a) the recommendation for appointment, remuneration and terms of appointment of auditors of the company; (In case of Government Companies, in Clause (1) of sub-section (4) of Section 177, for the words “recommendation for appointment, remuneration and terms of appointment” the words “recommendation for remuneration” shall be substituted – Exemption Notification dated 05-06-2015)

(b) review and monitor the auditor’s independence and performance, and effectiveness of audit process;

(c) examination of the financial statements and the auditors’ report thereon;

(d) approval or any subsequent modification of transactions of the company with related parties;

The Audit Committee may make omnibus approval for related party transactions proposed to be entered into by the company subject to such conditions as prescribed under rule 6A of the Companies (Meetings of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014.

Further in case of transaction, other than transactions referred to in Section 188 (Related Party Transactions), and where Audit Committee does not approve the transaction, it shall make its recommendations to the Board.

In case any transaction involving any amount not exceeding one crore rupees is entered into by a director or officer of the company without obtaining the approval of the Audit Committee and it is not ratified by the Audit Committee within three months from the date of the transaction, such transaction shall be voidable at the option of the Audit Committee and if the transaction is with the related party to any director or is authorised by any other director, the director concerned shall indemnify the company against any loss incurred by it: The provisions of this clause shall not apply to a transaction, other than a transaction referred to in Section 188, between a holding company and its wholly owned subsidiary company.

(e) scrutiny of inter-corporate loans and investments;

(f) valuation of undertakings or assets of the company, wherever it is necessary;

(g) evaluation of internal financial controls and risk management systems;

(h) monitoring the end use of funds raised through public offers and related matters.

Accordingly:

  • A public company having turnover of ? 900 crore is required to constitute Audit Committee.
  • A public company which has aggregate outstanding deposits of ? 100 crores are required to constitute Audit Committee.

Question 79.
Explaining the meaning of the term ‘related party’ in relation to a company under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, decide whether the following shall be treated as ‘related party’:

Kamal, a director of Deep Ltd. holds 1% in the company’s paid-up share capital.
Fair Ltd. is an associate company of Mohan Ltd.

Also explain whether a company can enter into a contract with a ‘related party’ for leasing of the company’s property and also for sale of any goods produced by the company . (4 marks) [CSPP P-1]
Answer:
1. According to Section 2(76) of the Companies Act, 2013, “related party”, with reference to a company, means:

  • a director or his relative;
  • a key managerial personnel or his relative;
  • a firm, in which a director, manager or his relative is a partner;
  • a private company in which a director or manager or his relative is a member or director;
  • a public company in which a director or manager is a director and holds along with his relatives, more
  • than two per cent of its paid-up share capital;
  • any body corporate whose Board of Directors, managing director or manager is accustomed to act in accordance with the advice, directions or instructions of a director or manager;
  • any person on whose advice, directions or instructions a director or manager is accustomed to act:
  • Provided that nothing in sub-clauses (vi) and (vii) shall apply to the advice, directions or instructions given in a professional capacity;

any company which is:

  • a holding, subsidiary or an associate company of such company; or
  • a subsidiary of a holding company to which it is also a subsidiary;

such other person as may be prescribed;

  • Alternative I – Assuming that Kamal is holding 1 % of paid up capital of Deep Limited, then Kamal is related party as he is director [2(76) (i)]
  • Alternative II – Assuming that Kamal is holding 1% of paid up share capital of other public company wherein he is also a director of other public company, then such other public company is not a related party. [2(76)(v)]

2. Fair Limited is a ‘related party’ within the meaning of the term, as defined under Section 2(76), since the company is an associate company of the company in question i.e. Mohan Limited. Further, in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, as contained under Section 188(1), no company shall enter into any contract or arrangement with a related with respect to the matters as provided in this sub-section.

Accordingly, the company in question cannot enter into any contract for neither leasing of the company’s property nor for sale of any goods produced by the company except by complying with procedure as prescribed in Section 188 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the relevant rules made thereunder.

Question 80.
Tempest Ltd., an unlisted company, has 500 shareholders, 400 debenture holders and 200 deposit holders. As a Company Secretary of the Company Advise the Board, if the Company is required to form a Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee? Discuss the provisions relating to the functioning of such a committee.
Answer:
Section 178(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 stipulates constitution of a Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee as mandatory for every company consisting of more than 1000 shareholders, debenture-holders, deposit- holders and any other security holders at any time during a financial year. Section 178 (6) states that the Committee shall consider and resolve the grievances of security holders of the company.

Further, Section 178 (7) stipulates that the chairperson of the committee shall attend the general meetings of the company and in his absence, any other member of the Committee authorised by him in this behalf shall attend the general meeting of the company.

In view of the aforesaid provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, Tempest Ltd. is required to form a Stakeholders’ Relationship Committee and also to comply with the above provisions.

Question 81.
PGA Limited receive a deed of transfer of equity shares complete in all respect, before registering the transfer, it was noticed by the Company that the proposed transferee of the equity shares has deceased, please explain the course of action of PGA Limited in the aforesaid case. What if the PGA Limited is unaware about the such status of transferee? Also explain whether the company is bound to enquire into the capability of the transferee to enter into a contract.
Answer:
In accordance with Section 56 of the Companies Act, 2013, a company shall register the transfer of shares when a proper instrument of transfer duly stamped and executed by or on behalf of the transferor and transferee has been delivered to the company along with the share certificates.

if transferor sold his shares by executing a transfer deed in favour of transferee and such documents were lodged for transfer but the transferee dies before registration, and a PGA Ltd. has notice of his death, transfer of shares cannot be registered in the name of transferee who has already deceased. With the consent of transferor and legal representative of the transferee, the transfer may be registered in the name of legal heirs of the transferee or his nominee, if any.

In case, the death of transferee is not notified to the PGA Ltd. the company can register the transfer in the name of deceased transferee, in as much as company is not aware of the death of the transferee and the transfer is done bona fide by the company. in Killick Nixon Ltd. V. Dhanraj Mills Pvt. Ltd., it was held that the PGA Ltd. is not bound to enquire into the capability of the transferee to enter into a contract. The company has to act on the basis of what is presented in the transfer deed.

Question 82.
Fortune Ltd. had below financial details during the last three financial years:

Year Net Worth Turnover Net Profit
2016-17
2015-16
2014-15
100.00
95.00
80.00
490.00
500.00
380.00
5.50
4.50
2.00

Discuss the compliance requirements for the Company on Corporate Social Responsibility. Whether Company requires to spend amount on CSR Activities, and what are the consequences if the Company fails to spend any amount?
Answer:
Section 135(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that every company having net worth of rupees five hundred crore or more, or turnover of rupees one thousand crore or more or a net profit of rupees five crore or more during the immediately preceding financial year shall constitute a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee of the Board consisting of three or more directors, out of which at least one director shall be an independent director.

Section 135(3) requires that the Committee shall formulate and recommend to the Board, a CSR Policy which shall indicate the activities to be undertaken by the company as specified in Schedule VII. The Committee shall further recommend the amount of expenditure to be incurred on CSR activities and monitor the Policy from time to time.

As per Section 135(5) of the Act, the Board shall ensure that the company spends, in every financial year, at least 2% of the average net profits of the company made during the three immediately preceding financial years, in pursuance of its CSR Policy.

Provided also that if the company spends an amount in excess of the requirements provided under this sub-section, such company may set off such excess amount against the requirement to spend under this sub-section for such number of succeeding financial years and in such manner, as may be prescribed.

Accordingly, Fortune Ltd. whose net profits during the current year exceeds rupees five crore is required to comply with the requirements of Section 135 and form a CSR Committee as explained above and spend an amount of rupees eight lakh (being 2% of the average net profits of rupees four crore). However, the company shall seek to give preference to the local area and areas around it where it operates for spending the aforesaid amount. However, if Fortune Ltd. fails to spend such amount, the Board shall, in its report made u/s 134(3)(o), specify the reasons for not spending the amount.

Question 83.
Prudent Ltd. an unlisted Company having 4,00,000 equity shares of ? 10 each, conducting its’general meeting. Ramesh a Proxy of Suresh (Ramesh holds 42,000 equity shares in that Company), demands a Poll to pass a Resolution. Explain the Rights of Ramesh in the capacity of Proxy, whether he will be allowed to demand a Poll? Also explain the role of the Chairman of the meeting in the case.
Answer:
Section 109(1 )(a) of the Companies Act, 2013 prescribes that before or on the declaration of the result of the voting on any resolution on show of hands, a poll may be ordered to be taken by the Chairman of the meeting on his own motion, and shall be ordered to be taken by him on a demand made in that behalf, in the case a company having share capital, by the members present in person or by proxy, where allowed, and having not less than 1 /10th of the total voting power or holding shares on which an aggregate sum of not less than five lakh rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed has been paid-up.

Section 109(4) prescribes that a poll demanded on any question other than adjournment of the meeting or appointment of Chairman shall be taken at such time, not being later than 48 hours from the time when the demand was made, as the Chairman of the meeting may direct.

The Chairman of the meeting shall get the poll process scrutinized and shall appoint such number of persons, as he deems necessary, to scrutinise the poll process and to report thereon to him in the prescribed manner.The Chairman shall declare the result of the voting on poll. [Rule 21 of Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014],

Hence, in the given case, Ramesh, a proxy of Suresh, who holds more than 10% of the equity shares/voting powers, has right to demand the poll and the Chairman of the meeting shall conduct the same accordingly.

Question 84.
(a) Priya is a Whole-Time Director in Surya Limited and Sun Limited, wishing to draw Remuneration from both the Companies. As perthe limits prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013, she is entitled to draw a remuneration of ₹ 10,00,000 from Surya Ltd. and ₹ 15,00,000 from Sun Limited, you being a Company Secretary advise Ms. Priya about her entitlement for the Remuneration in the aforesaid situation.

(b) Prism Ltd. appointed Mr. Sameer Rajpal as an Independent Director for a term of Three years, upon completion of his first term, he was re¬appointed for another term for the same period, now upon completion of the second term, Company again wants to re-appoint him as the Independent Director of the Company, considering the fact that he has not completed the consecutive term of Ten years. Advise the Company on the feasibility of his re-appointment.

(c) Decide if the office of Mr. Satish Nirankar, Director of Royal Ltd. shall be vacated in the following circumstances:

  • He did not attend any board meeting of the Company during the financial year 2016-17, but had promptly sent his leave of absence to Company by e-mail on 31st March, 2017, the last Board Meeting of Financial Year, which was acknowledged by the Company.
  • He is convicted by a court of an offence, not involving any moral turpitude and is sentenced for imprisonment for one year but immediately files an appeal in higher Court against the order of the lower Court.

Answer:
(a) According to second proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 197 of the Companies Act, 2013, the remuneration payable to any one managing director; or whole-time director or manager shall not exceed five percent of the net profits of the company. Since the question has no information about profit of these companies, let us assume both companies do not have adequate profit to give salary to its whole time directors.

According to clause (d) of Part-I of Schedule V of the Companies Act, 2013, if a person is a managerial person in more than one company, he shall draw remuneration from one or more companies subject to the ceiling provided in Section V of Part-II of the said schedule.

The said Section V of Part-ll provides that subject to the provisions of Sections I to IV, a managerial person shall draw remuneration from one or both companies, provided that the total remuneration drawn from the companies does not exceed the higher maximum limit admissible from any one of the companies of which he is a managerial person.

According to Table A, where a company have negative or less than rupees five crore effective capital, it may give yearly remuneration to its whole time directors upto ₹ 60 lakh. Hence, Ms. Priya is advised that she can draw remuneration from both the companies together upto rupees sixty lakh only.

Amendment made by Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017:
Revised First Proviso to Section 197(1) – “Provided that the company in general meeting may, with the approval of the Central Government, authorise the payment of remuneration exceeding eleven percent of the net profits of the company, subject to the provisions of Schedule V:”

Revised Second Proviso to Section 197(1) – “Provided further that, except with the approval of the company in general meeting by a special resolution:
(i) the remuneration payable to any one managing director; or whole-time director or manager shall not exceed five per cent, of the net profits of the company and if there is more than one such director remuneration shall not exceed ten per cent, of the net profits to all such directors and manager taken together;

(ii) the remuneration payable to directors who are neither managing directors nor whole-time directors shall not exceed,

  • One per cent, of the net profits of the company, if there is a managing or whole- time director or manager.
  • Three per cent, of the net profits in any other case.

Third Proviso to Section 197(1) – “Provided also that, where the company has defaulted in payment of dues to any bank or public financial institution or non-convertible debenture holders or any other secured creditor, the prior approval of the bank or public financial institution concerned or the non-convertible debenture holders or other secured creditor, as the case may be, shall be obtained by the company before obtaining the approval in the general meeting.”

(b) Section 149(10) of the Companies Act, 2013 prescribes that subject to the provisions of Section 152, an independent director shall hold office for a term upto five consecutive years on the Board of a company, but shall be eligible for reappointment on passing of a special resolution by the company and disclosure of such appointment in the Board’s report.

Section 149(11) states that no independent director shall hold office for more than two consecutive terms, but such independent director shall be eligible for appointment after the expiration of three years of ceasing to become an independent director provided that an independent director shall not, during the said period of three years, be appointed in or be associated with the company in any other capacity, either directly or indirectly.

General Circular No. 14/2014 issued by MCA dated 9,h June, 2014 clarifies that though an independent director is to be appointed for a term upto 5 years, there is no bar on appointment for a term of less than 5 years. However, such appointment for less than 5 years is to be counted as one term and at the end of two such consecutive terms, the director should demit his office, even if the total number of years of his appointment in such two consecutive terms is less than 10 years. In such a case, at the end of the 2 consecutive terms, he cannot be reappointed again as independent director and the cooling period of 3 years shall start.

In view of the above, Prism Ltd. cannot reappoint Mr. Sameer Rajpal as Independent director of the company at the end of second consecutive term.

(c) Section 167 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that, among other grounds, the office of a director shall become vacant in case:

he absents himself from all the meetings of the Board of Directors held during a period of twelve months with or without seeking leave of absence of the Board. [Section 167(1)(b)]
he is convicted by a court of any offence, whether involving moral turpitude or otherwise and sentenced in respect thereof to imprisonment for not less than six months and the vacancy is irrespective of the fact that he has filed an appeal against the order of such court. [Section 167(1 )(f) read with its proviso]

Case (i):
In present case, he did not attend any of the Board Meetings held during the financial year 2016-17. The office of directorship held by Mr. Satish Nirankar shall become vacant on completion of one year from the last meeting he attended. The fact that he has given leave of absence and the company has acknowledged it shall have no effect.

Case (ii):
When he is convicted by a court for more than six months (1 year in this case), his office shall be vacated even though the offence does not involve moral turpitude and even if h e has filed an appeal against the order of the lower court in the higher court.

Question 85.
A Ltd. has entered into a contract with B Ltd. by which the former will reserve 25% of their output to be sold to B Ltd. or to a buyer at the direction of B Ltd. Can B Ltd. be called an associate company of A Ltd.?
Also determine, if S Private Ltd. with a paid-up share capital of ₹ 45 lakh and annual turnover of ₹ 175 lakh, is a wholly owned subsidiary of H Ltd., a listed company. Can S Ltd. be called a small company?
Answer:
According to Section 2(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 “associate company”, in relation to another company, means a company in which that other company has a significant influence, but which is not a subsidiary company of the company having such influence and includes a joint venture company. “Significant influence” means control of at least 20% of total share capital, or of business decisions under an agreement.

In the instant case, B Ltd. controls more than 20% of the sale and disposal of the output of A Ltd. Thus, A Ltd. is the associate of B Ltd. But A Ltd. neither influences the business decision of B Ltd. in any manner nor does it control 20% of the total share capital of B Ltd. Hence, B Ltd. cannot be called an associate of A Ltd.

Section 2(85) of the Act defines a “small company” as a company, other than a public company:
(i) paid-up share capital of which does not exceed fifty lakh rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed which shall not be more than ten crore rupees: and

(ii) turnover of which as per its last profit and loss account does not exceed two crore rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed which shall not be more than one hundred crore rupees.

Amendment made by Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 : “Small Company means a company, other than a public company, –

paid-up share capital of which does not exceed fifty lakh rupees or such highe, amount as may be prescribed which shall not be more than ten crore rupees; and
turnover of which as per profit and loss account for the immediately preceding financial year does not exceed two crore rupees or such higher amount as may be prescribed which shall not be more than one hundred crore rupees. ”

However, the definition excludes a holding company or a subsidiary company; a company registered under section 8; or a company or body corporate governed by any special Act.

In the instant case, S Private Ltd. satisfies the turnover and paid-up share capital criteria to be a small company, but being a subsidiary of H Ltd., falls under the exclusions to the definition and hence, is not a small company.

Question 86.
Decide whether the following transactions will fall within the ambit of “deposits” as defined under the Companies Act, 2013, quoting relevant provisions of the Act:
(a) Great Ltd. received an application money of ₹ 5 lakh on 1st January, 2017 towards allotment of equity shares, pursuant to an offer made earlier. The Company has neither made the allotment of shares nor refunded the application money so far.

(b) Great Ltd. collected a security deposit of ₹ 5 lakh from Mr. Parteek, an employee whose monthly salary was ₹ 25,000 per month.

(c) Will your answer be different, if the security deposit earned an interest at the rate of 6% per annum?

(d) Great Ltd. collected a security deposit of ₹ 25 lakhs from Mr. Sorabh towards performance of the contract for supply and erection of a machinery.
Answer:
The definition of deposits as per Rule 2 (c) of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014, prescribes that ‘deposit’ includes any receipt of money by way of deposit or loan or in any other form, by a company.

(a) Deposit does not include any amount received and held pursuant to an offer made in accordance with the provisions of the Act towards subscription to any securities, including share application money or advance towards allotment of securities pending allotment, so long as such amount is appropriated only against the amount due on allotment.

If the securities for which application money or advance for such securities was received cannot be allotted within 60 days from the date of receipt of the application money or advance for such securities and such application money or advance is not refunded to the subscribers within 15 days from the date of completion of 60 days, such amount shall be treated as a deposit. [Rule 2 (c)(vii)]

In the instant case, the application money has been received on 1st January, 2017 and till date neither the allotment nor refund of the application money has been made. Further, 60 days of receipt of application money have already elapsed; hence the amount shall be treated as deposit.

(b) Deposit does not include any amount received from an employee of the company not exceeding his annual salary under a contract of employment with the company in the nature of non-interest bearing security deposit. [Rule 2 (c)(x)]

The security deposit of ₹ 5,00,000 collected from Mr. Parteek Rustagi as an employee, exceeds his annual salary of ₹ 3,00,000 and hence will be treated as deposit.

(c) In case, the security deposit earns interest at 6% per annum, that again violates the requirement of being non-interest bearing security deposit and hence it shall be treated as deposit. [Rule 2 (c)(x)]

(d) Deposit does not include any amount received in the course of, or for the purposes of, the business of the company as security deposit for the performance of the contract for supply of goods or provision of services [Rule 2 (c)(xii)(c)].

In the instant case, the security deposit of ₹ 25 lakh received from Mr. Sorabh Jain against performance of the contract for supply and erection of machinery shall not be treated as deposit.

Question 87.
Favourite Ltd., an unlisted Company, has the following figures at the end of the last financial year:

  • Paid-up share capital : ₹ 110.00 Crore
  • Turnover : ₹ 600.00 Crore
  • Borrowings by way of
  • loans, debentures and deposits : ₹ 60.00 Crore

Being a Company Secretary, advise the Company on the composition of its Board of Directors as required under the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
Sec. 149 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with relevant rules provides for the following:
(a) Every public company shall have a Board of Directors consisting of minimum 3 Directors and maximum 15 directors. Flowever, by passing special resolution, the company can appoint more than 15 directors.

(b) Every public company having a paid-up share capital of ₹ 100 Crore or a turnover of ₹ 300 Crore shall appoint at least one woman director. Favourite Ltd. satisfies the paid-up share capital and turnover criteria and hence should appoint at least one woman director in the Board. [Rule 3 of Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014]

(c) Every public company with a paid-up share capital of ₹ 10 Crore or more, or turnover of ₹ 100 Crore or more or outstanding loans, debentures and deposits exceeding ₹ 50 Crore should appoint at least two directors as independent directors. Favourite Ltd. satisfies all the criteria and hence is required to appoint minimum two independent directors in the Board. [Rule 4 of Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014]

In the instant case, the Company is advised that it should constitute a Board of minimum 4 directors out of which 2 (two) directors shall be independent directors and out of such 2 (two) independent directors; one shall be a woman director.

Question 88.
Advise whether the auditor appointment by a private limited company with paid-up share capital of ₹ 50.00 Crore in the following cases are valid for the financial year 2017-18:
(i) Amarjeet, (an Individual Auditor) who has been the auditor since financial year 2011-12.

(ii) Firm VAP & Co., who completes 10 years continuously, at the end of financial year 2016-17. Vijay is a partner in VAP & Co.

(iii) Firm Ajay & Co., in which Vijay is also a partner in addition to being a partner of VAP & Co.
Answer;
Section 139(2) read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014 provides for rotation of auditors. The said provisions are applicable to a private limited company having paid-up share capital of fifty Crore or more.

The aforesaid provisions prescribe that an individual auditor who has completed the term of five years cannot be reappointed as an auditor in the same company for five years from the completion of his term, likewise an audit firm which has completed the 2 terms of five years each cannot be eligible for re-appointment as auditor in the same Company for five years from the completion of such terms. [Section 139(2)(i) & (ii)]

Also, if two or more audit firms have common partner, and one of these firms has completed two terms of five consecutive years, none of such audit firms shall be eligible for reappointment as auditor in the same company for 5 years from completion of such term.

In view of the given case:

  • Amarjeet, an Individual cannot be appointed as auditor because he has completed the term of 5 consecutive years.
  • YAP & Co. cannot be appointed as the firm has completed the term of 10 consecutive years.
  • Ajay & Co. also cannot be appointed as it has a common partner with VAP & Co. which is not eligible of reappointment.

Companies (Audit and Auditors) Second Amendment Rules, 2017 dated 22.06.2017
Rule 5 has been amended w.r.t. applicability of mandatory appointment of auditor in private companies.

Revised Rule is as under – For the purposes of sub-section (2) of section 139, the class of companies shall mean the following classes of companies excluding one person companies and small companies:

  • all unlisted public companies having paid up share capital of rupees ten crore or more;
  • all private limited companies having paid up share capital of rupees fifty crore or more;
  • all companies having paid up share capital of below threshold limit mentioned in (a) and (b) above, but having public borrowings from financial institutions, banks or public deposits of rupees fifty crores or more.

Question 89.
A meeting of members of Joka Agricultural Equipments Limited was convened under the orders of the Court for the purpose of considering a scheme of compromise and arrangement. The meeting was attended by 200 members holding 500000 shares. 70 members holding 400000 shares in the aggregate voted for the scheme. 120 members holding 90000 shares in aggregate voted against the scheme. 10 members holding 10000 shares abstained from voting. Examine with reference to the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 whether the scheme was approved by the requisite majority?
Answer:
Compromise or Arrangement:
According to Section 230(6) of the Companies Act, 2013, the scheme of compromise and arrangement must be approved by a resolution passed with a majority in number representing three-fourths in value of the creditors, or members, or class of members, as the case may be, present and voting either in person or, by proxy.

The majority is dual, in number and in value. A simple majority of those voting is sufficient. Whereas the ‘three-fourths’ requirement relates to value. The three-fourths value is to be computed with reference to paid-up capital held by members present and voting at the meeting.

In this case 200 members attended the meeting, but only 190 members voted at the meeting. As 70 members voted in favour of the scheme the requirement relating to majority in number (i.e. 95) is not satisfied.

190 members who participated in the meeting held 4,90,000 shares, three-fourth of which works out to 3,67,500 while 70 members who voted for the scheme held 4,00,000 shares. The majority representing three-fourths in value is satisfied.

Thus, in the instant case, the scheme of compromise and arrangement of Joka Agricultural Equipments Limited is not approved as though the value of shares voting in favour is significantly more, the number of members voting in favour do not exceed the number of members voting against.

Question 90.
Excel Ltd., an unlisted company, has a paid-up share capital of ₹ 30 Crore turnover of ₹ 190 Crore and borrowings of ₹ 25 Crore and outstanding deposits of ? 30 Crore. Decide if the Company needs to comply with internal audit requirements under the Act. If so, can they appoint Siddh, who is the Practising Company Secretary, as their internal auditor?
Answer:
Section 138 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 13 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 stipulates that the following class of companies shall be required to appoint an internal auditor or a firm of internal auditors:
(i) Every listed company;

(ii) Every unlisted public company having paid-up share capital of ₹ 50 Crore or more during the preceding financial year, or turnover of ₹ 200 Crore or more during the preceding financial year, or outstanding loans or borrowings from banks or public financial institutions exceeding ₹ 100 Crore or more at any point of time during the preceding financial year or outstanding deposits of ₹ 25 Crore or more at any point of time during the preceding financial year; and

(iii) Every private company having turnover of ₹ 200 Crore or more during the preceding financial year or outstanding loans or borrowings from banks or public financial institutions exceeding ₹ 100 Crore or more at any point of time during the preceding financial year.

The internal auditor so appointed, may or may not be an employee of the company. The internal auditor shall be either a Chartered Accountant or a Cost Accountant or any other professional as may be decided by the Board. In the instant case, Excel Ltd. being an unlisted company, exceeds the prescribed limit of outstanding deposit, i.e., ₹ 25 Crore as applicable for such class of companies and hence is required to appoint an internal auditor. The provision allows appointment of any other professional other than Chartered Accountant or Cost Accountant as internal auditor and hence, Excel Ltd. can appoint Siddh who is the Company Secretary in practice,-as internal auditor of the Company with the due approval of Board.

Question 91.
Encode Pvt. Ltd. is having two shareholders namely Mr. Vishal and Mr. Joytan holding 9,00,000 and 5,50,000 equity shares, of ₹ 10 each, respectively. The Company’s Paid-up Share Capital as on the date is 1,45,00,000 and Authorised Share Capital is ₹ 2,00,00,000. Company wishes to issue further equity shares for ₹ 7,50,000, i.e., 75,000 equity shares of ₹ 10 each at par, by way of Rights issue, to meet the working capital requirements and expansion plan of the Company, you being a Company Secretary of the Company is required to draft the Board Resolutions inter-alia approving the letter of offer towards aforesaid offer of the Rights Issue, assuming that the shareholders may renounce their rights of subscription and the proposed shares shall rank pari-passu with the existing Equity shares of the Company.
Answer:

  • Meeting : Board Meeting
  • Date : 2nd June, 2017
  • Resolution : Board Resolution

The Board considered the matter and after due deliberations passed the following resolution(s):
“RESOLVED THAT pursuant to the provisions of Section 62(1 )(a) and other applicable provisions, if any, of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Articles of Association of the Company, the consent of the Board be and is hereby accorded to offer and issue 75,000 (seventy-five thousand) equity shares of the company of the face value of ₹ 10/- (Rupees Ten) each at par (hereinafter referred to as ‘new shares’) to the existing equity shareholders on Rights Issue basis in the following manner:

SI.No. Shareholder’s Name No. of Shares held Value (₹) % of Share holding Proposed under Right offer
1.
2.
Vishal Rastogi
Mr. Joytan Verma
9,00,000

5,50,000

90,00,000
55,00,000
62.07
37.93
46, 552
28, 448
Total 14,50,000 1,45,00,000 100.00 75,000

i.e., in proportion of their existing shareholding in the paid-up share capital of the company as on date, on the terms and conditions as under:

The rights issue shall remain open from 6th June, 2017 to 5th July, 2017 (both days inclusive) (hereinafter referred to as “offer period”):

  • The full amount at ₹ 10 per equity shares along with the duly filled and signed application form for such equity shares shall be submitted during the offer period.
  • The offer aforesaid, if not accepted within the offer period, will be deemed to have been declined; and
  • The offer aforesaid shall include a right exercisable by the persons to renounce equity shares being offered, in favour of any other person(s) provided such renunciation is made during the offer period and the renounce shall submit application form with the application money during the offer period.

RESOLVED FURTHER THAT the draft letter of offer along with application form, as placed before the Board and initialed by the Chairman for the purpose of identification, be and are hereby approved.

RESOLVED FURTHER THAT the new equity shares, so issued, shall upon allotment have the same rights of voting as the existing equity shares and be treated for all other purposes pari passu with the existing equity shares of the Company.

RESOLVED FURTHER THAT after the expiry of the aforesaid offer period or on receipt of earlier intimation from the person(s) to whom such notice was given that he declines to accept the new shares offered, or if the offer is not accepted within stipulated time, it shall be deemed declined and the Board of Directors of the company be authorized to dispose of unsubscribed part of the new shares in such manner as they think most beneficial to the company subject to the terms of any resolution, agreement or regulation of articles of association of the company, if any.

RESOLVED FURTHER THAT the Directors of the company be and are hereby severally authorized to sign and issue the Letter of offer, Application for allotment, Application for Renunciation and such other papers/documents as may be necessary in this regard to all eligible equity shareholder of the Company”.

Question 92.
Forecore Ltd. is a closely held company with 25 shareholders and proposes to make a public offer of convertible securities. The existing shareholders (Promoter) have their holdings in physical form. The company is wishing to issue, aforesaid convertible securities to the public, in physical form. Advise the feasibility.
Answer:
For issue of convertible securities to the public shares held in physical format need to be first converted to demat form. The ICDR regulations provide for regulations regarding issue of convertible securities in physical form.

Question 93.
Explain the provisions to determine in what circumstances an Individual will be considered as a promoter of the Company, if Kundan has been identified as a promoter in the recent annual return of the Company, please comment whether Kundan will be considered as a promoter of that Company? In the event of a mis-statement in the prospectus of the company, what will be the civil liability of Kundan?
Answer:
As per Section 2(69) of the Companies Act, 2013, ‘promoter’ means a person:

  • who has been named as such in a prospectus or is identified by the company in the annual return; or
  • who has control over the affairs of the company, directly or indirectly whether as a shareholder, director or otherwise; or
  • in accordance with whose advice, directions or instructions the Board of Directors of the company is accustomed to act:

Provided that nothing in sub-clause (c) shall apply to a person who is acting merely in a professional capacity. Since, Kundan has been identified as a promoter in the recent annual return of the company which falls within the ambit of the definition of promoter, hence he is promoter of that Company.

Section 35(1) of the Act provides that where a person has subscribed for securities of a company acting on any statement included, or the inclusion or omission of any matter, in the prospectus which is misleading and has sustained any loss or damage as a consequence thereof, the company and every person who is a promoter of the company shall without prejudice to any punishment to which any person may be liable under Section 36 to pay compensation to every person who has sustained such loss or damage.

Here in the given case, if Kundan makes such misleading information or statement in the prospectus, he will be held liable for the loss or damage occurred as a consequence of such misleading information and be liable to pay compensation to every person who has sustained such loss or damage. However, he can escape his liability if he proves that the prospectus was issued without his knowledge or consent and that on becoming aware of its issue, he forthwith gave a reasonable public notice that it was issued without his knowledge or consent.

Question 94.
Lai holds 1,00,000 preference shares in Luxury Ltd. (an unlisted company), wants to understand his voting rights in the Company. Advise.
Answer:
As per Rule 9(2) of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014, the voting rights of the preference shareholders are governed by the resolution passed for issuance of such preference shares in the general meeting of the company.

Section 47(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that:
Every member of a company limited by shares and holding any preference shares capital therein shall, in respect of such capital, have a right to vote only on resolutions placed before the company which directly affect the rights attached to his preference shares and, any resolution for the winding up of the company or for the repayment or reduction of its equity or preference share capital and his voting right on a poli shall be in proportion to his share in the paid-up preference share capital of the company:

Provided further that where the dividend in respect of a class of preference shares has not been paid for a period of two years or more, such class of preference shareholders shall have a right to vote on all the resolutions placed before the company.

Question 95.
Dynamic Ltd. (paid-up share capital ₹ 25 Crore) proposes to enter into a contract with Sunil for the procurement of raw materials for an amount of ₹ 5 Crore during the financial year. Sunil is the step brother (father’s second wife’s son) of Anil, who is a director of Dynamic Ltd. Discuss the compliance requirements in respect of the above procurement contract.
Answer:
Section 188(1)(a) prescribes that except with the consent of the Board of Directors given by a resolution at a meeting of the Board and subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, no company shall enter into any contract or arrangement with a related party with respect to the sale, purchase or supply or any goods or materials.

Rule 15(i) of the Companies (Meeting of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014 prescribes that the agenda of the Board Meeting at which the resolution is proposed to be moved shall disclose:

  • the name of the related party and nature of relationship;
  • the nature, duration of the contract and particulars of the contract or arrangement;
  • the material terms of the contract or arrangement including the value, if any;
  • any advance paid or received for the contract or arrangement, if any;
  • the manner of determining the pricing and other commercial terms, both included as part of the contract and not considered as part of the contract;
  • whether all factors relevant to the contract have been considered, if not, the details of factors not considered with the rational for not considering those factors; and
  • any other information relevant or important for the Board to take a decision on the proposed transaction.

Rule 15(2) provides that where any director is interested in any contract or arrangement with a related party, such director shall not be present at the meeting during discussions on the subject matter of the resolution relating such contract or arrangement.

Section 2(76) defines a related party to mean a director or his relative. Section 2(77) read with Rule 4 of the Companies (Specification of Definitions Details) Rules, 2014 provides that the term relative includes step-brother.

In view of the above provisions, the transaction is a related party transaction as Anil’s step-brother is a relative.

Question 96.
SRM Limited (a listed company), a wholly owned subsidiary of Spice Limited (an another listed company) proposes to acquire 10,000 equity shares of Spice Limited from the secondary market (in demat form). Advise SRM Limited on the feasibility of the proposal.
Answer:
Section 19 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that no company shall, either by itself or through its nominees, hold any shares in its holding company and no holding company shall allot or transfer its shares to any of its subsidiary companies and any such allotraent or transfer of shares of a company to its subsidiary company shall be void. First proviso to the said section states that, the above prohibition shall not apply to the following cases:

  • where the subsidiary company holds such shares as the legal representative of a deceased member of the holding company; or
  • where the subsidiary company holds such shares as a trustee; or
  • where the subsidiary company is a shareholder even before it became a subsidiary company of the holding company.

Provided further that the subsidiary company referred to in the first proviso shall have a right to vote at a meeting of the holding company only in respect of the shares held by it as a legal representative or as a trustee.

In the light of the above provisions, SRM Ltd. cannot hold equity shares in Spice Ltd. and further, Spice Ltd. is advised to prohibit from making any allotment or transfer in favour of SRM Ltd. If such an allotment or transfer is done, it will be void.

Question 97.
Star Ltd. was incorporated on 1st January, 2016. Further, Star Ltd. has floated its subsidiary company incorporated in Germany for which the financial year ends with June every year. In light to the above, please determine:
(i) The first financial year of Star Ltd. for which financial statement will be reported.
(ii) Does Star Ltd. have an option to align its financial year with that of its
German subsidiary in respect to the consolidation of its accounts outside India?
Answer:
Section 2(41) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that ‘financial year’, in relation to any company or body corporate, means the period ending on the 31st day of March every year, and where it has been incorporated on or after the 1st day of January of a year, the period ending on the 31st day of March of the following year, in respect whereof financial statement of the company or body corporate is made up.

It also provides that on an application made by a company or body corporate, which is a holding company or a subsidiary of a company incorporated outside India and is required to follow a different financial year for consolidation of its accounts outside India, the Tribunal may, if it is satisfied, allow any period as its financial year, whether or not that period is a year.

In the light of the aforesaid provisions –
(i) The first financial year of Star Limited will be from 1st January, 2016 and shall end on 31st day of March, 2017.

(ii) Since, Star Ltd. has a subsidiary incorporated in Germany who has to follow June as the financial year end, Star Ltd. being the holding company, can make an application to the Tribunal. If the Tribunal is satisfied with the conditions, it will allow Star Ltd. to adopt the financial year ending June, in order to align with its subsidiary for the purpose of consolidation of its accounts outside India.

Question 98.
Rajesh & Ramesh Co., Chartered Accountants, are the statutory auditor of FDE Textiles Pvt. Ltd.
DEF Products Ltd., the holding company of FDE Textiles Pvt. Ltd., is considering to allot assignment of designing of financial information system to Rajesh & Ramesh Co. Comment and advise the Board of Directors of DEF Products. Ltd. on the above.
Answer:
Section 144 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that an auditor appointed under this Act shall provide to the company only such other services as are approved by the Board of Directors or the audit committee, as the case may be, but which shall not include specified services, whether those services are rendered directly or indirectly to the company or its holding company or subsidiary company.

Specified services include design and implementation of any financial information system. Thus, applying the provision into the given case, Rajesh & Ramesh Co., Chartered Accountants, shall not accept the said assignment, if proposed to be given by DEF Products Ltd. holding company of FDE Textiles Pvt. Ltd.

Question 99.
(a) Critically evaluate the following statement:
“The ultimate objective of an IPO is to maximize the wealth of the promoters rather than raising funds.”

(b) Board of Directors of Supershine Detergents Ltd., a listed company having accumulated free reserves of rupees five hundred and fifty crores, authorized share capital of rupees seventy five crores and paid up share capital of rupees fifty crores is considering a proposal to capitalize part of the reserves by issue of Bonus shares in the ratio of 1: 1 to its shareholders. You, being the Secretary of the company, Management seeks your advice on the matter. Prepare action plan to be submitted to the Board at the next board meeting and for successful implementation of the proposal.
Answer:
(a) The primary objective for an Initial Public Offer (IPO) is to raise funds for the company. The equity shares of the company get listed on Stock exchange after the IPO. The promoters are required to contribute the initial capital and such shares are issued to the promoters at par. The promoters hold the majority of shares of the company even after the IPO. Over the period of time, the floating stocks of the shares from retail and small shareholders move to large and institutional shareholders. As a result of decrease in the floating stock of the shares in the secondary market of the company, the market prices of the equity shares appreciate and move up.

The largest beneficiaries after the IPO are the promoters of the company as their initial investment gets multiplied several times. Hence the end result is that promoter’s wealth gets maximized.

(b) Facts given in the case:

  • Authorised share capital of the company : ₹ 75 crores
  • Paid-up share capital (Equity shares) : ₹ 50 crores
  • Free Reserves of the company : ₹ 550 crores
  • Proposal for issue of Bonus shares : ₹ 50 crores
  • Authorised share capital to be increased to : ₹ 100 crores
  • Balance Free Reserves of the company : ₹ 500 crores.

From the above stated facts, it is clear that the proposal of the management to issue Bonus Shares in the ratio of 1:1 is perfectly in order, assuming that it is authorized by articles of association of the company and it is authorized by the General Meeting on the recommendation by the Board. Further, there is no default in payment of interest or repayment of deposits or dues to banks/financial institutions or statutory dues of the employees of the Company such as contribution fund to provident fund, gratuity and bonus [Section 63 (2)J.

As such, the Company can proceed to declare 1:1 Bonus Shares to the existing shareholders of the company after complying with the following:
1. Authorised share capital of the Company to be increased to ₹ 100 crores by passing an ordinary resolution in a general meeting convened by the Board;

2. Capital clause of Memorandum of association and if necessary the relevant portion of the Articles of Association should be amended;

3. If the Article of Association of the Company do not contain a provision for capitalisation of profits by issue of Bonus Shares, Article of Association should also be amended to incorporate such a provision therein;

4. Issue notice along with Agendas and notes to it for convening the Board Meeting at least seven days before the date of Board meeting to all the directors entitled to attend the meeting.

5. Send intimation to the stock exchange at least two working days in advance of the date of Board Meeting excluding the date of intimation and the date of the meeting.

6. Hold the Board Meeting to convene the Extra-ordinary general meeting for passing the following resolutions (as required):
(a) To recommend the bonus issue;

(b) To approve the resolution to be passed at a general meeting,

  • To authorize the Bonus issue
  • To approve requisite resolution for increase of the capital and consequential alteration of the Memorandum of Association/ Articles of Association necessary)
  • To enable the Articles to authorize the issue, if necessary.

7. Filing of following requisite forms along with fee as specified in Companies (Registration of Offices and Fees), Rules 2014 within 30 days of passing of the resolutions in the extra-ordinary general meeting after ensuring that all the shares are fully paid-up and the bonus issue is not in lieu of the payment of dividend:

  • Form MGT-14 for filing of the special resolution (s) along with the altered article of association of the company.
  • Return of allotmenf in Form PAS-3.

8. After the allotment of the shares the details of it to be provided to the depository immediately. Also, all the share certificates shall be delivered to the shareholders within two months from the date of such allotment.

Question 100.
Goodwill Electronics OPC incorporated on 1s* July, 2015 as a One Person Company with an authorized and paid up share capital of rupees forty lakhs recorded turnover of rupees forty five lakhs in the first nine months ended 31-3-2016 and ₹ 135 lakhs during the next nine months ended 31 -12-2016. Having seen the fast growing potential of his business in the IT-ES sector, Mr. Victor, promoter and sole director of the Company desires to make further investment of ₹ 50 lakhs from his friends. He seeks your advice on the following:
(i) Whether Mr. Victor can issue shares to his friends without changing the constitution of the Company;
(ii) If his friends desire to invest in the share capital of the Company to help Mr. Victor expand the business, how he can make further issue of shares to his friends;
(iii) Whether Mr. Victor can include two or three of his friends as directors of the Company to support him in the management of the Company.
Answer:
(i) In the given case, Mr. Victor cannot issue shares to his friends without changing the constitution of the Company. Goodwill Electronics is an OPC and Mr. Victor is the sole member and director of the said OPC. As per provisions of Companies Act, 2013 OPC can’t have more than one shareholder. To accept share capital from his friends he has to convert the OPC either into a Private company or Public Company.

As per Rule 3(7) of Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, an OPC cannot convert voluntarily into any kind of company unless two years are expired from the date of incorporation.

However, in case such One Person Company, exceeds its paid up share capital beyond fifty lakh rupees or its average annual turnover during the relevant period exceeds two crore rupees, then in such case it have to get converted to other forms of Company at any time i.e. before the expiry of the two years also.

(ii) Once the OPC gets converted to other form of Company in compliance with Rule 3 (7) of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 then Mr. Victor can accept the investment in the nature of share capital from his friends by making further issue of shares through private placement by complying with the provisions of Section 42 read with relevant rules made thereunder.

(iii) Mr. Victor can include two or three of his friends as directors of the Company so as to support him in the management of the Company subject to the maximum number of directors i.e. 15 as stated in Section 149 (1) (b) of the Companies Act or such other larger no. of directors after passing a special resolution in this regard.

Question 101.
PQR Limited, by amending its Articles of Association, inserts the following clauses:
(a) Members of the company shall be bound by the new clause even though they voted against it.
(b) A resolution has been passed to make the share capital of the company fixed.
(c) A resolution has been passed in the general meeting to give 30 days notice to members for holding general meeting.
Ascertain if the above clauses of the articles are valid as per Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
The provisions of Section 14 of the Companies Act, 2013, lays down that subject to the provisions of the Act and to the conditions contained in its memorandum, a company may, by a special resolution, alter its articles. Every alteration of articles shall be filed with the Registrar together with a printed copy of the altered articles within a period of fifteen days in e-form MGT-14.

The answer to the sub-questions stated are as follows:
(a) The stated clause is valid, as all the members of a company become bound by any valid alteration made to the Articles of Association whether they voted for or against it [HariChandana Yoga Deva v. Hindustan Co-operative Insurance Society Ltd., AIR 1925 Cal. 690] Section 14 (3) provides that (3) any alteration of the articles registered under sub¬section (2) shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be valid as if it were originally in the articles.

(b) The stated clause is not valid, as any alteration made to the Articles of Association which has the effect of limiting the company’s share capital to a fixed amount would have no effect being contrary to the provisions of the Act. [Muheer Hemant Mafatlal v. Mafatlal Industries Ltd., (1987) 89 Bom LR 86 (Bom)].

(c) The stated clause is valid, as a company is required to give 21 days’ notice for holding general meeting as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. Therefore, in the given case, a company may provide in its articles to give 30 days’ notice which is not in contravention to the provisions of the Law and the stringent provisions can be made in the Articles of Association of the company so long as they are not contrary to the provisions of the Act.

Question 102.
Should there be any exclusive meeting of independent directors₹ Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, examine whether in the following cases, companies are required to appoint Independent Director:
(a) Support Limited has paid-up share capital of ₹ 5 crore. Support Limited is a non-banking non-financial company.

(b) Energies Limited has turnover of ₹ 200 crore.
Both these companies are not listed at any of the Stock Exchanges.
Answer:
In terms of provisions of Schedule IV to the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 25 (3) Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the independent directors of the company shall hold at least one meeting without the attendance of non-independent directors and members of management and all the independent directors shall strive to be present at such meeting.

In terms of provisions of Section 149 (4) and Rule 4 of Companies, (Appointment and Qualifications of Directors) Rules, 2014, every listed public company shall have at least one-third of the total number of directors as independent directors. :

Also the following class or classes of companies shall have at least two directors as independent directors:

  • the Public Companies having paid up share capital of ₹ 10 crores or more; or
  • the Public Companies having turnover of ₹ 100 crores or more; or
  • the Public Companies which have, in aggregate, outstanding loans, debentures and deposits, exceeding ₹ 50 crores

In terms of the aforesaid provisions:

  • In case of Support Limited, since the company is not a listed entity and its paid up capital is less than ₹ 10 crores the question of appointment of independent directors doesn’t arise.
  • In the case of Energies Limited, even if it is not a listed entity but since Energies Limited is a public company, having the turnover of ₹ 200 Crores which attracts the compliance of the provision.

Hence, the Energies Ltd. shall appoint at least two directors as , independent directors since the turnover of the Company is ₹ 200 crores falls under the category of qualifying limits as stated above.

Question 103.
The following information are available for Sidhana Ltd.:

(₹ in Crores)
Paid up Equity Share Capital
(8 crore equity shares of ₹ 10 each)
80
General Reserve 60
Share Premium 40
Secured Loans 65

(Including cash credit limit of ₹ 50 Crores from Unity Bank)
(i) Whether the company is eligible to accept deposit from its members and public₹ Calculate the quantum of deposit that can be accepted from its members and public and Deposit Repayment Reserve.

(ii) Can Sidhana Ltd. borrow by way of a term loan of ₹ 200 Crores from MM Bank?
Answer:
As per Section 76 of the Companies Act, 2013 certain public companies can accept the deposits from public i.e. from the persons other than its members subject to compliance with the requirements provided in sub section (2) of section 73 and subject to such rules as the Central Government may prescribe, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India.

However, such a company shall be required to obtain the rating (including its net worth, liquidity and ability to pay its deposits on due date) from a recognised credit rating agency for informing the public the rating given to the company at the time of invitation of deposits from the public which ensures adequate safety and the rating shall be obtained for every year during the tenure of deposits.

So also, every company accepting secured deposits from the public shall within thirty days of such acceptance, create a charge on its assets of an amount not less than the amount of deposits accepted in favour of the deposit holders in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed.

Rule 13 of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 provides for the Maintenance of liquid assets and creation of deposit repayment reserve account as follow – Every company referred to in sub-section (2) of Section 73 and every eligible company shall on or before the 30,h day of April of each year deposit the sum as specified in clause (c) of the said sub-section with any scheduled bank and the amount so deposited shall not be utilised for any purpose other than for the repayment of deposits:

Provided that the amount remaining deposited shall not at any time fall below 20% of the amount of deposits maturing, until the end of the current financial year and the next financial year.

Rule 3(4) (a) of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 as amended by the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Second Amendment Rules, 2015 provides that –

No eligible company shall accept or renew any deposit from its members, if the amount of such deposit together with the amount of deposits outstanding as on the date of acceptance or renewal of such deposits from members exceeds ten per cent of the aggregate of the Paid-up share capital, free reserves and securities premium account of the company.

Rule 3(4)(b) of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 as amended by the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Second Amendment Rules, 2015 provides that – No eligible company shall accept or renew any other deposit, if the amount of such deposit together with the amount of such other deposits, other than the deposit referred to in clause (a), outstanding on the date of acceptance or renewal exceeds twenty five percent of aggregate of the Paid- up share capital, free reserves and securities premium account of the company.

(i) The company “Sidhana Ltd.” is eligible to accept deposit from its members and public since it is a public company having its net worth of 1180 Crores which is more than the qualifying limit as prescribed in Section 76 of the Companies Act, 2013.

However, the company can accept the deposit from its members upto the limit of ₹ 18 Crores assuming that no outstanding deposits from the members are in existence as on the date of acceptance of such ‘ deposits. So also, the company can accept the deposit from the public upto the limit of ₹ 45 Crores assuming that no outstanding deposits from the public are in existence as on the date of acceptance of such deposits.

The company shall on or before the 30th day of April of each year deposit the sum as specified in clause (c) of the sub-section (2) of Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013 with any scheduled bank and the amount so deposited shall not be utilised for any purpose other than for the repayment of deposits. Also, ensure that the amount remaining deposited shall not at any time fall below fifteen per cent of the amount of deposits maturing, until the end of the current financial year and the next financial year.

(ii) Sidhana Ltd. can borrow by way of term loan upto ₹ 125 Crores. from MM Bank by passing a board resolution. However, it can borrow ₹ 200 Crores by way of a term loan from MM Bank subject to the passing of special resolution by the members of the company as required under Section 180 (1)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013.

Question 104.
Prashant is the GM (Secretarial) of Magnificent Housing Finance Ltd. Its paid up capital is ₹ 51 lakhs. The company took ₹ 15 lakhs from him under an employment contract. Prashant is paid a salary of t 2 lakhs per month. The amount of ₹ 15 lakhs taken from him is interest bearing. Advise if there is any non-compliance of provisions of Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
In terms of proviso to sub-section (1) to Section 73 of the Companies . Act, 2013, the prohibition on acceptance of deposits from public is not applicable to a banking company and non-banking financial company as defined in the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and to such other company as the Central Government may, after consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, specify in this behalf. Further, the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 are also not applicable on a banking company, a non-banking financial company, a housing finance company registered with the National Housing Bank, and a company specified by the Central Govt, under the proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013.

In the given case, Mr. Prashant is the General Manager (Secretarial) of a Housing Finance company, which is exempt as per the aforesaid provisions. Hence, there is no non-compliance of the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014.

Question 105.
PQR Textiles Ltd., a listed company covered under the relevant Rules and Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 for appointment of Cost Auditors, has appointed CMA Suresh as cost auditor of the company for the financial year 2016-17. Management of the company desires to appoint the same Cost Auditor for the next financial year also. Explain the procedure for reappointment of the same Cost Auditor for the next financial year.
Answer:
Procedure for the re-appointment of the Cost Auditor of PQR Textiles Ltd., a listed company covered under the relevant rule i.e. Rule 3 and 4 of the, Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 and Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 is as under:
1. The company shall within one hundred and eighty days of the commencement of every financial year, appoint a cost auditor.

2. The audit committee, if constituted by the company shall ensure that the cost auditor is free from any dis-qualifications.

3. The audit committee shall obtain a certificate from the cost auditor certifying his independence.

4. Every such company shall inform the cost auditor concerned of his or its appointment as such and file a notice of such appointment with the Central Government within a period of thirty days of the Board meeting in which such appointment is made-or within a period of one hundred and eighty days of the commencement of the financial year, whichever is earlier, through electronic mode, in Form CRA-2, along with the fee as specified in Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014.

5. On filing the application, the same shall be deemed to be approved by the Central Government, unless contrary is heard within 30 days from the date of filing of such application.

6. If within thirty days from the date of filing of such application, the Central Government directs the company to re-submit the said application with, additional information the period of thirty days for deemed approval of the Central Government shall be counted from the date of re-submission by the company.

7. After the expiry of thirty days, the company shall issue formal letter of appointment to the cost auditor.

8. The audit committee, if constituted by the company recommends to the Board a suitable remuneration to be paid to the cost auditor. In the case of those companies which are not required to constitute an audit committee, the Board shall consider and approve the remuneration of the Cost Auditor which shall be ratified by shareholders subsequently.

9. Every cost auditor appointed as such shall continue in such capacity till the expiry of one hundred and eighty days from the closure of the financial year or till he submits the cost audit report, for the financial year for which he has been appointed.

Question 106.
Shareholders of Hide and Seek Ltd. are not satisfied about performance of the company. It is suspected that some activities being run in the name of the company are not in the interest of the company or its members. 101 out of total 500 shareholders of the company have made an application to the Central Government to appoint an inspector to carry out investigation and find out the true picture.

With reference to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, mention whether the shareholders’ application will be accepted. Elaborate.
Answer:
According to the Companies Act, 2013, the Central Government under Section 210 (1) may order an investigation into the affairs of the company, if it is of the opinion that it is necessary to do so:

  • on the receipt of a report of the Registrar or Inspector under Section 208;
  • on intimation of a special resolution passed by a company that the affairs of the company ought to be investigated;
  • in public interest. According to Section 210 (3) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Central Government may appoint one or more persons as inspectors to investigate into the affairs of the company and to report thereon in such manner as the Central Government may direct.

The shareholders’ application will not be accepted as under Section 210 of the Companies Act, 2013, Central Government may order an investigation into affairs of the company on the intimation of a special resolution passed by a company that the affairs of the company ought to be investigated and then may appoint the inspectors. Here, 101 out of total 500 shareholders of the company have made an application to the Central Government to appoint an inspector to carry out investigation but it is not sufficient as the company has not passed the special resolution.

Question 107.
Smriti Technologies Ltd. was incorporated before 9 years. It is being observed that the net worth is eroded by its accumulated losses as at 31-03-2017. However, in relation to general meeting of the company, examine the powers of the Chairperson to adjourn the meeting suo moto. Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, answer the following:
(i) Whether a fresh notice is required to be given for adjourned meeting?
(ii) Whether a new business not stated in the original agenda can be transacted at the adjourned meeting?
(iii) What consequences follow in case the meeting is a requisitioned meeting and the required quorum is not present at the scheduled date and time?
Answer:
A duly convened meeting should not be adjourned arbitrarily by the ghairperson. The chairperson may adjourn a meeting with the consent of the members and should adjourn a meeting if so decided by the members. The chairperson, therefore cannot suo motu adjourn meeting.

If a meeting is adjourned sine die or for a period of 30 days or more, a notice of the adjourned meeting should be given in accordance with the provisions of the Act. If a meeting is adjourned for a period of less than 30 days, the company shall give not less than 3 days’ notice specifying day, date, time and venue of the meeting, to the members either individually or by publishing an advertisement in the newspaper which is in circulation at the place where the registered office of the company is situated. (Proviso to Section 103 (2) of the Companies Act, 2013).

If a meeting, other than a requisitioned meeting stands adjourned for want of Quorum, the adjourned meeting should be held on the same day, in the next week at the same time and place or on such other day and at such other time and place as may be decided by the Board.
(i) Fresh notice, therefore, for the adjourned meeting is not required as the meeting is in continuance of the original scheduled meeting, in accordance with the above provisions. Such a notice is required only when the meeting is adjourned sine die or for 30 days or more for want of quorum or any other reason like the additional time required for the matters to be transacted at such meeting assuming that the Smriti Technologies Ltd. is an unlisted public company.

(ii) As the adjourned meeting is the continuance of the original meeting for want of unfinished agenda or quorum, no new business can be transacted. For new business proper notice should be given for another meeting.

(iii) It within half an hour from the time appointed for holding a requisitioned meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting stands cancelled/dissolved. (Section 103 (2) (b) of the Companies Act, 2013)
The fact of erosion of net worth by its accumulated losses is of no relevance here.

Question 108.
Tiny Products Ltd. is quoted in Mumbai Stock Exchange. Before 3 years, its name was changed from Small Products Ltd. It proposes to issue 10 lakh sweat equity shares of the company to a non-executive director for providing technical know how. The CFO of the company has approached you, being the Company Secretary, how to determine the issue price. Advise CFO.
Answer:
The Company can issue sweat equity shares to a non-executive director for ! providing technical know how provided that the paid up share capital after issue of 10 lakh sweat equity shares does not exceed the authorized capital of the company. The price of the sweat equity shares to be issued shall not be less than the higher of the following:

  • The average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the f equity shares of the company during the last six months preceding the relevant date. Or
  • The average of the weekly high and low of the closing prices of the related equity shares of the company during the two weeks preceding the relevant date.

The relevant date for the purpose of issue of sweat equity shares means the date which is 30 days prior to the date on which the general meeting is convened to consider issue of sweat equity shares.

The company shall not issue sweat equity shares more than 15% of the paid up share capital of the company in a year. However, such percentage . is subject to the maximum limit of the issue value of ₹ 5 Crores.

So also, the issuance of the sweat equity shares in the Company shall not exceed twenty five percent, of the paid-up capital of the company at any time.

The CFO of Tiny products Ltd. is to be informed accordingly. The fact of change of name of the company is of no relevance here since it does not impact the pricing of the shares to be issued. So also, the said l corporate action was taken before the 3 years which is not an immediate event which can impact or affect the valuation of shares at present.

Question 109.
interior Pvt. Ltd. is a manufacturing company having turnover of ₹ 210 crore but having maximum outstanding loan from public financial institution of ₹ 90 crore only during the preceding financial year. You ” are required to state whether the company is liable for internal audit as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
The following class of companies shall be required to appoint an internal auditor which may be either an individual or a partnership firm or a body corporate [As amended vide notification no. G.S.R. 742(E ) dated 27th July, 2016], namely:
(a) every listed company.

(b) every unlisted public company having:

  • paid up share capital of ₹ 50 crore or more during the preceding financial year, or
  • turnover of ₹ 200 crore or more during the preceding financial year, or
  • outstanding loans or borrowings from banks or public financial institutions exceeding ₹ 100 crore or more at any point of time during the preceding financial year, or
  • outstanding deposits of T 25 crore or more at any point of time during the preceding financial year, and

(c) every private company having:

  •  turnover of 1200 crore or more during the preceding financial year, or
  • outstanding loans or borrowings from banks or public financial institutions exceeding ₹ 100 crore or more at any point of time during the preceding financial year.

Hence, since the turnover of the company exceeds ₹ 200 crore, it is liable for internal audit.

Question 110.
Vinodh Ltd. paid the last installment of the term loan with interest on 25th January, 2017 to its bank and requested the bank to issue ‘No Dues Certificate’ confirming total repayment of the term loan of ₹ 450 lakhs availed from the bank in 2010. However, the bank had to verify the accounts of the company before issuing the letter confirming repayment of all the dues to the bank. In that process the company could get the bank’s letter only on 3-3-2017. Bank’s letter mentioning 25th January, 2017 as the date on which the company cleared all the dues of the bank and that the charge created to secure the term loan could be treated as satisfied on that date. Since more than 30 days has lapsed after repayment of the term loan, company is required to apply to the Central Government to condone the delay in filing satisfaction of the charge. You, being the practising Secretary, the company seeks your advice for getting the Central Government’s order condoning the delay.
Advise examining the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 and Rules.
Answer:
Vinodh Limited, Completed repayment of the entire term loan of ₹ 450 lakhs to its banks and cleared all the dues to the bank on 25-01-2017. However, the bank issued letter on 03-03-2017 confirming repayment of the loan mentioning 25-01-2017 as the date on which charge created to secure the loan could be treated as satisfied.

Since satisfaction of the charge has to be filed within 30 days of repayment of the loan and clearing of the charge, there is delay in filing satisfaction of charge on account of which the company has to get the delay condoned by the Central Government (power of Central Government delegated to regional director).

The Company shall file e-form CHG-4 with additional fees of delay and on the challan of e-form it shall be mentioned that company has made delay in filing the form. Make an application for condonation of delay to regional director. The form CHG-4 shall be approval only after condonation of delay.

The company should make an application in Form CHG-8 to regional director explaining the cause for delay in getting the bank’s letter confirming repayment of the bank’s dues in respect of the charge, paying the applicable fees.

Central Government/regional director on being satisfied that delay is due to bank’s procedure to verify the company’s loan account details before issuing the No Dues Certificate and not due to the company’s fault, the v regional director may pass an order extending the time for filing satisfaction of charge.

The order passed by the Central Government under Section 87(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, should be filed with the Registrar in Form INC 28 along with the payment of applicable fees as per the conditions stipulated in the said order.

Question 111.
Valuable Ltd. declared dividend at its 10 m Annual General Meeting. Mr. Strong holding only 19% equity share had informed the Company that his dividend be paid to Mr. Weak and gave the bank account details of Mr. Weak. When the Company electronically transferred the dividend amount to Mr. Weak’s bank account, the amount was returned back to the Company as that bank account was not operative. After the expiry of one month, now Mr. Strong is contemplating to sue the Company for non payment of dividend. With reference to provisions of Companies Act, 2013, state if his action would be in order.
Answer:
Section 127 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with punishment for failure to distribute dividend. It states that where a dividend has been declared by a company but has not been paid or the warrant in respect thereof has not been posted within thirty days from the date of declaration to any shareholder entitled to the payment of the dividend, every director of the company shall, if he is knowingly a party to the default, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years and with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees for every day during which such default continues and the company shall be liable to pay simple interest at the rate of eighteen per cent per annum during the period for which such default continues.

Para (b) of the proviso to Section 127 provides that no offence under this Section shall be deemed to have been committed where a shareholder has given directions to the company regarding the payment of the dividend and those directions cannot be complied with and the same has been communicated to him.

In the instant case, the shareholder i.e. Mr. Strong has directed the company to pay dividend to Mr. Weak.

The company tried to make electronic payment to Mr. Weak but due to his bank account being inoperative the dividend could not get credited to bank account. Therefore, it is not the fault of dividend paying company who duly acted on the direction of Strong. But the company did not communicated this fact to Mr. Strong. This is a non compliance on the part of the company.

Therefore, Mr. Strong can sue the company for non-payment of dividend after one month and his action would be in order.

Question 112.
Tough Ltd. could not hold its 12th annual general meeting by 30th September, 2017 for the year ended 3181 March, 2017. It did not apply for extension of time for holding the meeting. The Company filed financial statements with the Registrar of Companies after 11 months. State the consequences of such filing under Companies Act, 2013?
Answer:
In terms of Section 137(2), in case, the annual general meeting of a company for any year has not been held, the financial statements along with the documents required to be attached, duly signed along with the statement of facts and reasons for not holding the annual general meeting shall be filed with the Registrar within thirty days of the last date before which the annual general meeting should have been held.

By virtue of Section 137(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, if a company fails to file the copy of financial statements under sub-section (1) or (2), as the case may be, before the expiry of period specified in Section 403, the company shall be liable to penalty of ten thousand rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of one hundred rupees, for each day during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of two lakh rupees.

and the managing director and chief financial officer of the company, if any, and, in the absence of them any other director who is charged by the Board with the responsibility of complying with the provisions of this section, and, in the absence of any such director, all the directors of the company shall be liable to a penalty of ten thousands rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of one hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of fifty thousands rupees.

As the company Tough Ltd. filed financial statement not within time limit as specified under Section 403, the above mentioned provision will be applicable. However, the company can apply the financial statement with the applicable additional fee and go for compounding of offence under Section 441 of the Act.

Note:
Penalty for non-compliance of provisions relating to filing of financial statement:
Copy of financial statements (including consolidated financial statement in case of holding company), shall be filed with Registrar of Companies within 30 days from the date when the accounts where duly adopted at the Annual General Meeting of the company. All documents which are required to be annexed or attached to the financial statement must be filed. The documents are required to be filed with filing fees – section 137(1) of Companies Act, 2013.

If financial statements are not filed by due date, company shall be liable to a penalty of ₹ 1,000 per day for every day during which the default continues, but shall not be more than ₹ 10 lakhs. In addition. MD and CEO (and in their absence all directors) shall be liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees and in case of continuing failure, with further penalty of one hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of five lakh rupees – section 137(3) of Companies Act, 2013 amended vide the companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2C19 w.e.f. 2.11.2018.

Till 2.11.2018, the section provided for fine in case of company and fine or imprisonment in case of MD and CEO which could be imposed only by Court. Now, penalty can be imposed by RoC or RD who is authorized for this purpose.

Even earlier, the offence was compoundable. However, procedure of compounding had to be complied with. Now, directly penalty can be imposed after issuing Show Cause Notice.

Question 113.
ABC Ltd. having a networth of ₹ 80 crores and turnover of ₹ 30 crores wants to accept deposits from public other than its members. Referring to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, state the conditions and the procedures to be followed by ABC Ltd. for accepting deposits from public other than its members.
Answer:
Eligible company:
As per Section 76 of the act a public company which is having a net worth of more than ₹ 100 crores, or having a net turnover of ₹ 500 crores , is an Eligible company. Only an eligible public company can accept deposits from publics subjected to certain conditions. Prior consent of company, in general meeting , by SR File the S.R to the registrar before making any initiation. If proposed deposit is less than net worth of the company then consent of the company can be obtained by OR. Terms and conditions for eligible companies to accept deposits from public: A company cannot accept the following deposit.

Demand deposit: Deposits payable within 6 months or after 36 months from the date of acceptance. Deposits may be accepted in joint name but not more than 3 joint depositors.

Since, ABC Ltd. has a net worth of ₹ 80 crores and turnover of ₹ 30 crores, which is less than the prescribed limits, hence, it cannot accept deposit from public other than its members. If the company wants to accept deposits from public other than its members, it has to fulfill the eligibility criteria of net worth or Turnover or both and then the other conditions as stated above.

Question 114.
The following information is available from the balance sheet of Jupiter Pvt. Ltd. as on 31.3.2018:

₹ crore
Issued share capital 30
Paid up equity capital 25
General reserve 2
Profit & Loss Account 5
Investment fluctuation reserve 0.75
Fixed asset revaluation reserve 0.25
Unsecured loan 1

Compute the maximum value of Sweat Equity shares that can be issued by the Company as on 31sl March, 2018 under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
Section 54 read with rule 8(4) of Companies (Share Capital & Debentures) Rules 2014 deals with issue of sweat equity shares and limits on issue of the same. Rule 8(4) states that the company shall not issue sweat equity shares for more than fifteen percent of the existing paid up equity share capital in a year or shares of the issue value of rupees five crores, whichever is higher. The issuance of sweat equity shares in the Company shall not exceed twenty five percent, of the paid up equity capital of the Company at any time. Applying the same in the given situation,
15% of paid up equity share capital = ₹ 3.75 Crore (25 * 15%)
Now, shares of issue value of ₹ 5 crore is higher than ₹ 3.75 crore.
25% of paid up equity capital = ₹ 6.25 crore (25*25%)
Thus, maximum value of sweat equity shares that can be issued by the company as on 31st March 2018 is ₹ 5 crore. The amount of reserves, profit & loss account and loan are of no relevance in this aspect.

Question 115.
Prince TV Channels Ltd. had ₹ 7 crore as securities premium in its reserves and surplus account in Balance Sheet as at 31st March, 2017. The Company has incurred significant losses in preceding years and as on 31st March, 2017 it has accumulated losses amounting to ₹ 8 crore in the Balance Sheet. In order to present a true and fair view of the financial results, the company wrote off the losses by reducing the amount standing to the credit of securities premium account. With reference to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, decide if the action of the Company is valid?
Answer:
The issue involved in question has been decided by Mumbai bench of NCLT in the matter of Section 52 and 66 of the Companies Act, 2013 with respect to Dish TV India Ltd.

Section 53(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, inter alia provides that where a company issues shares at a premium, whether for cash or otherwise, a sum equal to the aggregate amount of the premium received on those shares shall be transferred to a “securities premium account” and the provisions of this Act relating to reduction of share capital of a company shall, except as provided in this section, apply as if the securities premium account were the paid-up share capital of the company.

Section 53(2) of the Companies Act, 2013, states that the securities premium account may be applied by the company:

  • Towards the issue of unissued shares of the company to the members of the company as fully paid bonus shares;
  • In writing off the preliminary expenses of the company;
  • In writing off the expenses of, or the commission paid or discount allowed on, any issue of shares or debentures of the company;
  • In providing for the premium payable on the redemption of any redeemable preference shares or of any debentures of the company; or
  • For the purchase of its own Shares or other securities under Section 68. In addition to the above as per Section 53(3) of the Companies Act,

2013, the securities premium account may also be applied by such class of companies, as may be prescribed any whose financial statement comply with the accounting standards prescribed for such class of companies under Section 133:

  • In paying up unissued equity shares of the company to be issued to members of the company as fully paid bonus shares; or
  • In writing off the expenses of or the commission paid or discount allowed on any issue of equity shares of the company; or
  • For the purchase of its own shares or other securities under Section 68.

Therefore, in the given question, the utilization of securities premium account is not out the activities which are allowed under Section 53(2) and Section 53(3) of the Companies Act, 2013.

Therefore, as per Section 53(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, in order to write off accumulated losses with the securities premium account, the provisions of reduction of share capital shall be complied with by the Company and thus, provisions of Section 66 of the Companies Act, 2013 shall be complied with by the Company.

Question 116.
Abhiman is a permanent employee of Y2Z Commodities Ltd! with a turnover above ₹ 200 crore for the year ended 31st March, 2018. He is working in India for last two years and is also a promoter of the Company. With reference to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, ascertain if Abhiman is eligible to obtain employee stock option. Can the Company offer shares through stock option if Abhiman is a non-independent additional Director holding 10% of equity shares of the Company is not a promoter?
Answer:
Section 62(1) (b) read with Rule 12 of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 deals with issue of Employee stock options. A company, other than a listed company, which is not required to comply with Securities and Exchange Board of India Employee Stock Option Scheme Guidelines shall not offer shares to its employees under a scheme of employee’s stock option (hereinafter referred to as “Employees Stock Option Scheme”). Unless it complies with the following requirements, namely:
(i) The Employees Stock Option Scheme has been approved by the shareholders of the company by passing a special resolution.

Employee for the purpose of Section 62(1) (b) means:
(a) A permanent employee of the company who has been working in India or outside India; or

(b) A director of the company, whether a whole time director or not but excluding an independent director; or

(c) An employee as defined in clauses (a) or (b) of a subsidiary, in India or outside India, or of a holding company of the company but does not include:

  • An employee who is a promoter or a person belonging to the promoter group; or
  • A director who either himself or through his relative or through anybody corporate, directly or indirectly, holds more than ten percent of the outstanding equity shares of the company.

Applying the above provisions in the case given, Mr. Abhiman is not eligible to obtain shares under Employees’ Stock Option scheme as he is a promoter though permanent employee.

In other case, the Company can issue shares can be issued under Employees; Stock Option scheme to Mr. Abhiman if he is a non-independent additional director and does not hold more than 10% of outstanding equity shares of the company.

Question 117.
Solar Power Limited failed to pay dividend declared in its annual general meeting. The shareholders of the Company filed a complaint against the Company to the Registrar of Companies. The Company contended that it could not pay dividend in time in view of categorical request of its financial institutions from whom the Company has taken term loan and availed working capital facilities for business purpose. Decide if the contention adopted by the Company is tenable.
Answer:
Section 127 deals with Punishment for Failure to Distribute Dividends.

It provides that where a dividend has been declared by a company but has not been paid or the warrant in respect thereof has not been posted within thirty days from the date of declaration to any shareholder entitled to the payment of the dividend, every director of the company shall, if he is knowingly a party to the default, be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to two years and with fine which shall not be less than one thousand rupees for every day during which such default continues and the company shall be liable to pay simple interest at the rate of eighteen per cent per annum during the period for which such default continues:

Provided that no offence under this section shall be deemed to have been committed:

  • Where the dividend could not be paid by reason of the operation of any law;
  • Where a shareholder has given directions to the company regarding the payment of the dividend and those directions cannot be complied with and the same has been communicated to him.
  • Where there is a dispute regarding the right to receive the dividend;
  • Where the dividend has been lawfully adjusted by the company against any sum due to it from the shareholder; or
  • Where, for any other reason, the failure to pay the dividend or to post the warrant within the period under this section was not due to any default on the part of the company.

In the present case, the contention is that the company could not pay dividend in time in view of categorical request of its financial institutions.from whom the company has taken term loan.

Point (e) of the proviso provides that no offence under this section shall be deemed to have been committed where, for any other reason, the failure to pay the dividend or to post the warrant within the period under this section was not due to any default on the part of the company.

Hence the contention adopted by company is tenable.

Question 118.
X Ltd. appointed CA Innocent as a statutory auditor for the company for the current financial year. Further the company offered him the services of actuarial, investment advisory and investment banking which was also approved by the Board of Directors. Comment.
Answer:
An auditor appointed under this Act shall provide to the company only such other services as are approved by the Board of Directors or the audit committee, as the case may be, but which shall not include any of the following services (whether such services are rendered directly or indirectly to the company or its holding company or subsidiary company, namely:

  • accounting and book keeping services;
  • internal audit;
  • design and implementation of any financial information system;
  • actuarial services;
  • investment advisory services;
  • investment banking services;
  • rendering of outsourced financial services;
  • management services; and
  • any other kind of services as may be prescribed:

Further Section 141 (3)(i) of the Companies Act, 2013 also disqualify a person for appointment as an auditor of a company who is engaged as on the date of appointment in consulting and specialized services as provided in Section 144.

In the given case, CA Innocent was appointed as an auditor of X Ltd. He was offered additional services of actuarial, investment advisory and investment banking which was also approved by the Board of Directors. The auditor is advised not to accept the services as these services are specifically notified in the services not to be rendered by him as an auditor as per Section 144 of the Act.

Question 119.
Mr. Jubilant, Chairman of Remuneration Committee of your Company wants to know from you as Company Secretary of the Company details to be provided in the Boards’ Report under Section 197(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 5 of Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014. The Company is listed in a Stock Exchange in Mumbai. Advise Mr. Jubilant.
Answer:
Section 197(12) read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and , Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 provides for disclosure of following details in the Board’s report of the listed company:

  • The ratio of the remuneration of each director to the median remuneration of the employees of the company for the financial year;
  • The percentage increase in remuneration of each director, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Executive Officer, Company Secretary or Manager, if any, in the financial year;
  • The percentage increase in the media remuneration of employees in the financial year;
  • The number of permanent employees on the rolls of company;
  • Average percentile increase already made in the salaries of employees other than the managerial personnel in the last financial year and its comparison with the percentile increase in the managerial remuneration and justification thereof and point out if there are any exceptional circumstances for increase in the managerial remuneration;
  • Affirmation that the remuneration is as per the remuneration policy of the company.

Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 also provides for disclosure of a statement showing the names of the top ten employees in terms of remuneration drawn and the name of every employee, who:
(i) If employed throughout the financial year, was in receipt of remuneration for that year which in the aggregate, was not less than one crore and two lakh rupees;

(ii) If employed for a part of the financial year, was in receipt of remuneration for any part of that year, at a rate which, in the aggregate, was not less than eight lakh and fifty thousand rupees per month;

(iii) If employed throughout the financial year or part thereof, was in receipt of remuneration in that year which, in the aggregate, or as the case may be, at a rate which, in the aggregate, is in excess of that drawn by the managing director or whole-time director or manager and holds by himself or along with his spouse and dependent children, not less than two percent of the equity shares of the company.

Further, the above statement shall also indicate:

  • Designation of the employee;
  • Remuneration received;
  • Nature of employment, whether contractual or otherwise;
  • Qualifications and experience of the employee;
  • Date of commencement of employment;
  • The age of such employee;
  • The last employment held by such employee before joining the company;
  • The percentage of equity shares held by the employee in the company within the meaning of clause (iii) of sub-rule(2) above; and
  • Whether any such employee is a relative of any director or manager of the company and if so, name of such director or manager:

Provided that the particulars of employees posted and working in a country outside India, not being directors or their relatives, drawing more than sixty lakh rupees per financial year or five lakh rupees per month, as the case may be as may be decided by the Board, shall not be circulated to the members in the Board’s report, but such particulars shall be filed with the Registrar of Companies while filing the financial statement and Board Reports.

Jubilant, Chairman of the Remuneration committee is to be advised in the lines of above enabling provisions.

Question 120.
Ocean Pvt. Ltd. appointed CA Randhir as statutory auditor of the Company at the last AGM held on 28.9.2016. The next AGM convened on 28.9.2017, after consideration of other business, was adjourned due to non-adoption of annual accounts for the year ended 31.3.2017. State as to whether the appointment of CA Randhir would continue to remain-valid and upto which period, even if appointment of another firm of Auditor has been considered and made at the last AGM field on 30.9.2017.
Answer:
Pursuant to Section 139 of the Companies Act, 2013 every company shall at each annual general meeting (AGM) ratify the appointment of an auditor or auditors to hold office from the conclusion of that meeting till the conclusion of next AGM.

As per explanation to Rule 3(7) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, if the appointment is not ratified by the members of the company, the Board of Directors shall appoint another individual or firm as its auditor or auditors after following the procedure laid down in this behalf under the Act.

In view of the above, if for any reason, the AGM is adjourned to a later date subsequent to the date, the Board shall appoint another auditor only if office of auditor is not ratified by the members at AGM and thus, he shall continue to hold office till the conclusion of the adjourned AGM.

However, if a new auditor has been appointed in the original meeting in his place, and the meeting is adjourned the, new auditor can function as statutory auditor only from the conclusion of the original meeting.

Thus, in the instant case, the office of CA Randhir shall be valid up to the date of the adjourned AGM. However, if a new auditor was appointed in his place in the AGM held on 30th September, 2017, the office of CA Randhir shall be ceased to have effect w.e.f. the appointment of new auditor.

Question 121.
Mr. Solid was a member of Week Cricket Club, a Section 8 Company with no share capital. Mr. Solid sought a copies of the Memorandum of Association of the Club and copies of general meeting proceedings which were not provided to him. Mr. Solid filed a complaint before Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of the State pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for non-furnishing of documents by the Club. The Club filed a petition before the High Court of the State for quashing the complaint. Will the Club succeed?
Answer:
The facts of the case are similar to that discussed in Madras Cricket Club v. M. Subbiah CRL. In this case the respondent was a member of Madras Cricket club (petitioner company/ club), a company within the meaning of Section 8 of Companies Act, 2013 (Act) with no share capital. The respondent sought a copy of the memorandum of association of the club and copies of proceedings of general meetings which were not provided to him. The respondent filed a complaint before the additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Chennai pursuant to the provisions under Companies Act, 2013 for non furnishing of copies of minutes etc. by the club. The club filed a petition before the High Court of Madras for quashing thacomplaint.

The High Court quashed the complaint on the ground that the petitioner company did not have a share capital, the responded could not be considered a ‘shareholder’ under Companies Act, 2013, no Court can take cognizance of any offence unless it is made at the instance the Registrar of Companies, or shareholder or a person authorised by Central Government. The respondent did not fall in any of the above categories.

Section 439 of the Companies Act, 2013 which also states that no court shall take cognizance of any offence under this Act which is alleged to have been committed by any company or any officer thereof, except on the complaint in writing of the Registrar, a shareholder of the company, or of a person authorised by the Central Government in that behalf.

Thus, accordingly, in the present given case, the Club will succeed.

Question 122.
Pearl Cosmetics Ltd. has not yet called remaining 33% of the face value of its equity shares. Ms. Rukmini, a reputed singer, who has paid 67% call money earlier, wants to pay full 33% to the Company as she will be going out of India for next three months. Can the Company accept such amount from Ms. Rukmini under provisions of the Companies Act, 2013?
Answer:
Section 50(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 states that if authorized by its -articles a company may accept from any member the whole or part of the amount remaining unpaid on any shares held by him, even if no part of that amount has been called up.

Where Section 50(2) provides that a member who has paid the whole or part of the amount remaining unpaid on shares held by him even though the company has not made a call for it is not entitled to any voting right at a general meeting on the amount so paid till such amount has been called up.

Accordingly, if authorized by its Articles, Pearl Cosmetics Ltd. can accept from Rukmini 33% of the face value of shares which is not yet called up but she will not be entitled to exercise voting right in any general meeting unless the amount he has paid is actually called up.

Question 123.
Quality Limited, a listed entity, with a paid up capital of ₹ 400 crore proposes to pay the following remuneration:
(i) Commission @ 5% of net profit to Karan, Managing Director;

(ii) Directors under than Managing Director are proposed to. be paid monthly remuneration of ₹ 50,000/- and also commission @ 1% of net profit of the Company, subject to the condition that overall remuneration payable to each of them shall not exceed 2% of net profit of the Company. The commission is to be distributed equally amongst all the Directors.

(iii) The Company also proposes to pay suitable additional remuneration to Mr. Diligent, a Director for professional services rendered as Lawyer whenever such services are utilized.
Answer:
Quality Ltd, a listed company, being managed by a managing director proposes to pay the following managerial remuneration:
(i) Commission @5% of net profits to its managing director Mr. Karan: Part I of second proviso to section 197 provides that except with the approval of the company in general meeting remuneration payable to anyone managing director or WTD or manager shall not exceed 5% of
net profits of the company and if there is more than one such director then remuneration shall not exceed 10% of the net profits to all such directors and manager taken together.

In the present scenario, Quality Ltd. can pay commission @ 5% to Mr. Karan, Managing Director provided he is not withdrawing any other remuneration. The said remuneration including commission to Mr. Karan can paid up to 5% of the net profit without obtaining the approval of G.M by passing special resolution however, pursuant to the Section 196(4) of the Act, such remuneration shall be approved by the members in the next general meeting.

(ii) Directors other than the MD are proposed to be paid monthly remuneration of ₹ 50,000 and also commission @ 1% of net profits of the company subject to the condition that overall remuneration payable to ordinary directors including monthly remuneration payable to each of them shall not exceed 2% of net profits of the company: Para (ii) of the second proviso to Section 197 provides that except with the approval of the company in general meeting remuneration payable to directors who are neither managing directors nor whole time directors shall not exceed

  • 1 % of net profits of the company if there is a managing director or whole time director or manager;
  • 3% of net profits, in any other case;

In the present case, maximum remuneration allowed for directors other than managing or whole-time director is 1% of the net profits of the company because the company is having managing director also. Hence, if Quality Limited wants to fix their remuneration at not more than 2% of net profits of the company, the approval of the company in general meeting on need of CG approval. Question 5 (a)(ii), there is printing error that “Directors other than Managing Director Should have been used instead of Directors under than Managing Director”)

(iii) Quality Limited also proposes to pay suitable additional remuneration to Mr. Diligent, a director for professional services rendered as lawyer whenever such services are utilised. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 197(4) of the Companies Act, 2013, remuneration payable to the directors of a company including any managing director or whole-time director or manager shall be determined in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this section either:

  • By articles or
  • By resolution or
  • If articles so require by special resolution passed by company in general meeting and Remuneration payable to a director determined aforesaid shall be inclusive of the remuneration payable to him for services rendered by him in any other capacity.

Any remuneration for services rendered by a such director in other capacity shall not be so included if:

  • Services are of a professional nature; and
  • In the opinion of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the company is covered under Section 178(1) or the Board of Directors in other cases the Director possesses the requisite qualification for the practice of the profession.

Hence, in the instant case additional remuneration to Mr. Diligent, a director for profession services rendered as a lawyer will not be included in the maximum managerial remuneration and is allowed provided Nomination and Remuneration Committee/the Board of Directors, as the case may be, opines that Mr. Diligent possess the requisite qualification as a lawyer.

It may be noted that the compliance of Section 177 and Section 188 shall be adhered to by the Company.

Question 124.
A group of shareholders consisting of 25 members decide to file a petition before the Tribunal for relief against oppression and mismanagement by the Board of Directors of M/s Fly By Night Operators Ltd. The company has a total of 300 members and the group of 25 members holds, one-tenth of the total paid -up share capital accounting for one – fifteenth of the issued share capital. The main grievance of the group is that due to mismanagement by the board of directors, the company is incurring losses and the company has not declared any dividend even when profits were available in the past years for declaration of dividend. In the light of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, advise the group of shareholders regarding the success of (I) getting the petition admitted and (II) obtaining relief from the Tribunal.
Answer:
Section 244 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides the right to apply to the Tribunal for relief against oppression and mis-management. This right is available only when the petitioners hold the prescribed limit of shares as indicated below:
(i) In the case of company having a share capital, not less than 100 members of the Company or not less than one tenth of the total number of its members whichever is less or any member or members holding not less than one tenth of the issued share capital of the company, provided that the applicant(s) have paid all calls and other dues on the shares.

(ii) In the case of company not having share capital, not less than one-fifth of the total number of its members. Since the group of shareholders do not number 100 or hold 1/10th of the issued share capital or constitute 1/10lh of the total number of members, they have no right to approach the Tribunal for relief. However, the Tribunal may, on an application made to it waive all or any of the requirements specified in (i) or (ii) so as to enable the members to apply under Section 241.

As regards obtaining relief from Tribunal, continuous losses cannot, by itself, be regarded as oppression (Ashok Betelnut Co. P. Ltd. vs. M.K. Chandrakanth). Similarly, failure to declare dividends or payment of low dividends also does not amount to oppression. (Thomas Veddon V.J. vs. Kuttanad Robber Co. Ltd.) Thus, the shareholders may not succeed in getting any relief from Tribunal.

Question 125.
Glamour Rise Ltd. wishes to change its registered office from one state to another state for which it is in the process of calling an .extra ordinary general meeting and pass resolution thereat. There is no Secretary in the Company, Mr. Sumana, Deputy General Manager (Finance) of the Company has approached you, as a practicing Company Secretary, about the material facts to be set out in the statement to be annexed to the notice of the Company. Advise Mr. Sumana with reference to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
As per Section 102 of Companies Act, 2013 in case of special business to be transacted in a meeting a statement setting out materials facts shall be annexed to the notice of calling the meeting.

Accordingly, Glamour Rise Ltd. shall set out the following material facts in its notice of extraordinary general meeting:
(I) (a) Information about the shifting of registered office from one state to another state and justification thereof.

(b) the nature of contract or interest, financial or otherwise, if any, in respect of each item of every director and the manager, if any; every other key managerial personnel; and relatives of persons mentioned above.

(c) any other information and facts that may enable members to understand the meaning, scope and implications of the items of business and to take decisions thereon.

Where any item of special business to be transacted at a meeting of the company relates to or affects any other company, the extent of shareholding interest in that other company of every promoter, director, manager, if any and of every other key managerial personnel of the first mentioned company shall, if the extent of shareholding is not less than 2% of the paid share capital of that company, also be set out in the statement.

(II) Where any item of business refers to any document, which is to be considered at the meeting, the time and place where such document can be inspected.

Question 126.
Sun Ltd. made the following offers during the financial year 2017-18 on private placement basis:
(i) 10,00,000 equity shares of ₹ 10 each at an issue price of ₹ 25 each, to 230 persons, which included 25 Qualified Institutional Bidders;

(ii) Under the above equity issue, 10,000 shares offered to Ram, were allotted to Shyam, his brother in whose favor, Ram had renounced the offer;

(iii) 2,00,000 equity shares of ₹ 10 each to 50 employees of the Company under ESOP scheme;

(iv) 5,00,000 preference shares of ₹ 100 each at par, to 150 persons.
Do you find any violation of private placement provisions by the Company₹ Will your answer be different if Sun Ltd. was a housing finance company registered with the National Housing Bank under National Housing Bank Act, 1987?
Answer:
As per Rule 14 of the Companies (Prospectus and Allotment of Securities) Rules 2014, an offer under private placement shall be made to not more than 200 persons in the aggregate in a financial year, subject to a proviso that offer made to Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) and employees under ESOP scheme will not be counted for this limit of 200.

Further, the above restriction will be reckoned individually to each kind of security. Rules provide that no person other than the person so addressed in the application form shall be allowed to apply through such application form and any application not conforming to this condition shall be treated as invalid.

In view of the above,
(a) The offer made to 230 persons including 25 QIBs is a violation of the V. rules, as the total number of offers made excluding QIBs exceeds 200.

(b) Section 42 read with Rules provide that no person other than the person so addressed in the application form shall be allowed to apply through such application form and any application not conforming to this condition shall be treated as invalid. Therefore, Ram to whom the offer was made, cannot renounce in favor of Shyam and hence any allotment to Shyam is invalid in terms of private placement rules.

(c) The offer made to 50 employees under ESOP scheme is in order as it is specifically excluded from the limit of 200.

(d) Offer of preference shares made to 150 persons is also in order as the limit of 200 is to be reckoned separately for each kind of security.

These limits are not applicable to a Housing Finance Company registered under the National Housing Bank Act, 1987 and therefore, in that case, all the’ above offers of Sun Limited will be valid.

Question 127.
Divya, a director in 3 companies, finds that she has three DIN obtained on different occasions by mistake. DIN 1 is mapped to X Ltd while DIN 2 is mapped to Y Ltd. and DIN 3 to Z Ltd. Has she contravened any provision of the Act and if so, what is the remedy?
Answer:
Section 155 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that no individual, who has already been allotted a DIN under Sec. 154, shall apply for, obtain or possess another DIN. Hence, Divya has violated Sec. 155 and has to surrender the two additional DIN possessed by her. She has to file e form DIR-5 to surrender the two extra DIN obtained by her, explaining that the two extra DIN were obtained by mistake and without any malafide intentions.

MCA (Ministry of Corporate Affairs) has clarified in its website that in such cases, the oldest DIN will be retained and all the subsequent DIN in currency shall be surrendered. All the entities with which Divya is connected shall be mapped to the oldest DIN while subsequently obtained DIN will be cancelled.

2018 – Dec [1] (d) Target Ltd. convened a meeting of the Board of Directors on 1st September, 2018 to approve the financial statements of the Company as on 31st March, 2018. The Board has strength of 5 directors and the quorum as per Articles of Association is 3 directors physically present. While 3 directors participated in the meeting physically, the fourth and the fifth directors participated through video conferencing: Do you see any violation on the part of the Company?
Answer:
Rule 4 of the Companies (Meetings of Board and its Powers) Rules 2014 stipulates that approval of annual financial accounts cannot be dealt with in any meeting held through video conferencing or other audiovisual means.

The board meeting held by Target Ltd. on 1st September 2018 is attended by three directors physically present which satisfies the quorum requirement and thus is not a meeting conducted through video-conferencing or audiovisual means. Thus, Target Ltd. can transact the business of approval of financial statements of the company at such meeting.

Sec. 173(2) further provides that where there is quorum in a meeting through physical presence of directors, any other director may participate^through video conferencing or other audiovisual means in such a meeting. In that case, Target Ltd. has not contravene any rule in the given occasion.

Question 128.
X Ltd., an unlisted public company, with the following:

  • Paid-up share capital : ₹ 25 Crore
  • Reserves & Surplus : ₹ 40 Crore
  • Annual turnover : ₹ 300 Crore

wants to accept deposits from its members and the public. Advise the company on the compliance required.
Answer:
X Ltd. does not fall under the definition of “eligible company” under the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules 2014, the primary condition of which is that a public company shall have net worth of not less than ₹ 100 crores or turnover of not less than ₹ 500 crore. In the above case, neither of the threshold limits are met, hence, X Ltd. is not an “eligible company”.

In the above case, X Ltd. can accept deposits only from members of the Company up to a limit of 35% of the aggregate of the paid-up share capital, free reserves and securities premium account. X Ltd. can accept deposits from its members up to $n amount of 35% of ₹ 65 Crore. They cannot accept any deposit from the public. However, there is no limit for acceptance of deposit from its directors.

X Ltd. is required to ensure inter alia compliance of the following, for acceptance of deposits from members:
(i) The Company is required to pass an ordinary resolution in the shareholders meeting authorizing the acceptance of deposit from the members.

(ii) A Circular should be issued to its members in form DPT-1 and in addition, the company may publish the same in English language in one English newspaper and one vernacular language in vernacular newspaper having wide circulation in the sate of the registered office of the company.

(iii) The Company should obtain a credit rating before the submission of the circular to the Registrar as disclosure of the same is required in the circular.

Question 129.
(i) Comment if the following transactions entered into by A Ltd. attract compliance with provisions relating to acceptance of deposit.
(a) A sum of ₹ 5 lakh paid by Gautam towards subscription to equity shares on 1st April, 2018 was adjusted towards sales invoices for goods supplied to him on 31st August, 2018.

(b) Ashwin, a director of the Company, arranged for ₹ 10 lakh to meet an emergency requirement, by taking a personal loan from State Bank of India.

(c) Bharat, a customer who has bought a machinery from the Company has paid a sum of ₹ 5 lakh towards life-time warranty for the machinery.

(d) A sum of ₹ 1 lakh collected from every employee in April, 2018 towards contribution to a Housing Society which will be formed in January, 2019.
Answer:
Rule 2(c) of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 provides for inclusions and exclusions under the term “deposit” for the purpose of compliance of the rules. Part wise answer is given as under:
(a) Sub-rule (vii) provides that the subscription money received against issue of securities is not a deposit provided in case of non-allotment of securities, the money is refunded to the subscriber within 60 days from the receipt of money. Further, adjustment of the money for any other purpose shall not be considered as a refund. Hence this is a case of deposit.

(b) Sub-rule (viii) provides that money received from a director as loan is not a deposit, provided the money is not given by the director out of any loan taken by him from others. In this case, since it is out of a loan from SBI, it does not fall under the exclusion. It is a case of deposit.

(c) Sub-rule (xii) (e) excludes from deposit, any advance received for warranty and maintenance, if the warranty period does not exceed the period prevalent as per common business practice or 5 years whichever is less. In this case, as it is a life-time warranty, it does not fall under the exclusion and hence it is a deposit.

(d) Sub-rule (x) excludes from deposit any non-interest-bearing amount received and held in trust. In this case, company has received the amount in trust, for a housing society to be formed for the benefit of the employees and the money is not interest bearing. Thus it is not a deposit.

Question 130.
Smart Ltd., a listed company, has a paid-up share capital of ₹ 50 crore divided into 50 Lakh equity shares of ₹ 100 each, carrying a voting right of one vote per share. The Company needs infusion of funds but the promoters of the Company do not prefer dilution of control. Hence it is proposed to issue further equity shares carrying a voting right of one vote for every 10 equity shares. Advise the Board of Directors on the eligibility conditions to be complied.
Answer:
The case is related to issue of shares with differential rights. Rule 4 of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules 2014 provides for the following conditions to be satisfied before issuing shares with differential rights:
(a) Issue of shares with differential rights should be authorized by the articles and by an ordinary resolution in the shareholders meeting and by postal ballot in the case of a listed company.

(b) The issue shall not exceed 26% of the total post-issue paid up equity share capital including the equity shares with differential rights, at any point of time.

(c) The Company should have consistent track record of distributable profits for the last three years.

(d) The Company has not defaulted in filing financial statements and annual returns for three financial years immediately preceding the financial year in which it is decided to issue shares with differential rights.

(e) The Company has no subsisting default in payment of declared dividend to its shareholders or matured deposits or redemption of preference shares or debentures that have become due for redemption and the interest thereon.

(f) The Company has not defaulted in payment of dividend on preference shares or repayment of term loan from a public financial institution or state level financial institution or schedule bank that has become payable or interest thereon or dues with respect to statutory payments relating to employees or default in crediting the amount to IEPF; Provided that a company may issue equity shares with differential rights upon expiry of 5 years from the end of the financial year in which such default was made good.

(g) The Company has not been penalized by Court or Tribunal during the last 3 years of any offence under RBI Act, SEBI Act, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, FEMA Act or any other special Act under which such Companies are being regulated by sectoral regulators.

(h) The Company cannot convert the existing equity shares into equity shares with differential rights and vice versa.

Question 131.
Healthy Ltd. provides the following information for the financial year ended 2017-18:

  • Paid-up share capital – ₹ 50 Crore
  • Profit after tax – ₹ 10 Crore
  • The investments have been valued at fair market value which resulted in a gain of ₹ 2 Crore.
  • The fixed assets of the Company have been revalued during the year resulting if a gain of ₹ 1 Crore.
  • Average dividends declared during the previous three years – 12%.

Calculate the available surplus for the purpose of dividend and the maximum percentage of dividend that can be declared by the company, assuming a 100% payout. Further, during the current financial year 2018-19, the Company has made a loss in the first two quarters and the company wants to declare an interim dividend of 15% for the financial year 2018-19. Is this feasible?
Answer:
Proviso to Sec. 123(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 stipulates that profits for the purpose of arriving at available surplus for dividend shall be Computed after excluding any amount representing unrealized gains, notional gains or revaluation of assets and any changes in carrying amount of an asset or of a liability on measurement of the asset or liability at fair market value.

Hence, Healthy Ltd. has to deduct the gain of ₹ 2 Crore in valuation of investments at fair market value and revaluation gain of ₹ 1 Crore in respect of the fixed assets. Hence, the available surplus for the purpose of declaration of dividend shall be ₹ 7 Crore. The maximum percentage of dividend that can be declared shall be 14% (₹ 7 Crore on ₹ 50 Crore paid up share capital) for the financial year 2017-18.

Proviso to Sec. 123(3) of the Act provides that in case the Company has incurred loss during the current financial year up to the end of the quarter immediately preceding the date of declaration of interim dividend, such interim dividend shall not be declared at a rate higher than the average dividend declared by the Company during immediately preceding three financial years. Hence, Healthy Ltd. cannot declare interim dividend in 2018-19 at a rate exceeding 12% as the Company has made a loss in the preceding two quarters.

Question 132.
X Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Y Ltd. As on 31st March 2018, X Ltd. owns 60% of equity in A Ltd. and 26% of equity in B Ltd. Y Ltd. has totally 8 shareholders. Y Ltd. files consolidated accounts of all subsidiaries in accordance with Schedule III of the Act and the relevant accounting standards. Advise the Board of Directors of X Ltd. if they are required to consolidate the financial statements of A Ltd. and B Ltd. while presenting their financial statements mandatorily.
Answer:
As per Sec. 129(3) of the Act, a Company which has one or more subsidiary or associate companies shall prepare consolidated financial statements in accordance with the provisions of Schedule III of the Act, and the applicable accounting standards. Proviso to Rule 6 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules 2014 stipulates that consolidation of accounts by a Company is not required if;

  • The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary or partly owned subsidiary of another company and all its members have been informed in writing about the Company not presenting consolidated financial statements and no member objects to it.
  • The Company is not listed or in the process of listing.
  • The ultimate holding company or any intermediate holding company files consolidated financial statements with the Registrar which are compliant with the applicable accounting standards.

In respect of X Ltd. it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Y Ltd. Y Ltd. files consolidated accounts with the Registrar in compliance with the rules. A Ltd. is a subsidiary of X Ltd. and B Ltd. is an associated Company of X Ltd. Hence, in accordance with second proviso to Rule 6 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, X Ltd. is not required to conoolidate the accounts of A Ltd. and B Ltd. if Y Ltd. intimates in writing to X Ltd. for not preparing consolidated financial statements. Provided that proof of delivery of such intimation shall be maintained with the X Ltd.

Question 133.
Infra Ltd. came out with an IPO of equity shares in April 2018. The prospectus issued for the purpose explained that the purpose of the IPO was to fund a 1000 MW mega solar power project and substantiated the position by citing the contract they have won from Solar Power Corporation with a tariff rate of ₹ 4.00 per k Whr. Prashant subscribed to the IPO for 50,000 equity shares at ₹ 10 each, which was duly allotted by the company.

Subsequently in July 2018, the Company came out with an update that the tariff rate in the above contract has been slashed down to ₹ 3.00 per k Whr. Prashant is of the view that the company will lose money with such a low tariff and would not like to continue his investment in the company. The said equity share was trading at ₹ 7.00 in the market. Is there any remedy available to Prashant? Advise.
Answer:
Sec. 27 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that where there is a variation in the contract indicated in the prospectus, on he basis of which the Company issued securities, the Company needs to get the approval of the shareholders in the general meeting by way of a special resolution.

The dissenting shareholders, being those shareholders who have not agreed to the proposal to vary the said terms of contract referred to in the prospectus, shall be given an exit offer by the promoters or controlling shareholders of the Company at such exit price and terms and conditions as may be specified by SEBI.

Hence, Prashant can exercise the exit offer made by the Company and mitigate his loss.

Question 134.
BET Ltd. incurred loss in business up to current quarter of financial year 2017-18. The company has declared dividend at the rate of 11 %, 16% and 18% respectively in the immediate preceding three years. In spite of the loss, the Board of Directors of the company have decided to declare interim dividend @ 15% for the current financial year. Examine the decision of BET Ltd. stating the provisions of declaration of interim dividend under the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
Interim Dividend: under Section 123(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board of Directors of a company may declare interim dividend during any financial year out of the surplus in the profit and loss account and out of profits of the financial year in which such interim dividend is sought to be declared.

Although, in case the company has incurred loss during the current financial year up to the end of the quarter immediately preceding the date of declaration of interim dividend, such interim dividend shall not be declared at a rate higher than the average dividends declared by the company during the immediately preceding three financial years.

In the given case, interim dividend by BET Ltd. shall not be declared at a rate higher than the average dividends declared by the company during the immediately preceding three financial years [i.e. (11+16+18)/3=45/3=15%]. Hence, decision of Board of Directors to declare 15% of the interim dividend for the current financial year is tenable.

Question 135.
Liberty Ltd., an unlisted company, registered in the State of Maharashtra with 20 shareholders wants to organize the annual general meeting of the company for the financial year 2017-18 as under:

  • The meeting shall be held on 17th September, 2018 which happens to be Raksha Bandhan, a day declared as holiday by Maharashtra Government.
  • The venue for the meeting shall be Ootacamund, a hill resort in Tamil Nadu.

Advise the Company on the feasibility of the above.
Answer:
(i) Sec. 96(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that every annual general meeting shall be called on any day that is not a national holiday. Thus, Raksha Bandhan, not being a national holiday but only a local holiday declared by the Government of Maharashtra, calling of annual general meeting on that day does not contravene the rules.

(ii) The Section further provides that the annual general meeting shall be held at the registered office of the company or at some other place within the city, town or village in which the registered office of the company is situated. The section has a proviso that the annual general meeting of an unlisted company may be held at any place in India if consent is given in writing or by electronic mode by all the members in advance. So, in this case, if Liberty Ltd, being an unlisted company, can obtain a consent in writing or through electronic mode from all the 20 shareholders of the Company, then the meeting can be validly held at Ootacamund.

Question 136.
Peak Ltd., a listed company, proposes to issue Non-Convertible Debentures for an amount of ₹ 500 Crores to the public, incorporating call and put options only to the retail investors. Enumerate the conditions to be complied for the purpose.
Answer:
A call option is one where the company issuing the NCDs has a right to recall the securities prior to maturity and put option is one where the investors get a right to redemption of the securities prior to maturity.

Peak Ltd. while making the offer for issue of NCDs with call and put option only to the retail investors, shall ensure compliance with the following conditions:
(a) Such right shall be exercised in accordance with the terms of issue like , the date from which such right is exercisable, period of exercise which shall not be less than 3 working days, redemption amount including the premium or discount at which the redemption shall take place etc.

(b) The call or put option may be exercised for the entire securities issued or invested or only for a part of the issue.

(c) In case of exercise on part of the issue, it shall be done on proportionate basis only.

(d) No such right shall be exercisable before the expiry of 24 months from the date of issue of the securities.

(e) Peak Ltd. shall send notice to all the eligible holders of such securities at least 21 days before the date from which such right is exercisable.

(f) Peak Ltd. shall also provide a copy of such notice to the stock exchange where such securities are listed for wider dissemination and shall make an advertisement in the national daily having wide circulation indicating the details of such right and the eligibility of the holders who are entitled to avail such right.

(g) The Company shall pay the redemption proceeds to the investors along with interest due to the investors within 15 days from the last day within which such right can be exercised.

(h) The company shall pay interest at 15% p.a. for the period of delay, if any.

(i) After the completion of the exercise of such right, the company shall submit a detailed report to the stock exchange for public dissemination regarding the securities redeemed during the exercise period and details of the redemption thereof.

Question 137.
A public company secured residential accommodation for the use of its Managing Director by entering into a leave and licence arrangement with the landlord. As per the terms of the agreement, the company deposited a sum of ₹ 5,00,000 as rental advance with landlord. Can it be considered as a loan given to the director?
Explain the relevant provisions.
Answer:
According to Section 185(1) of the Companies Act 2013, no company shall directly or indirectly advance any loan including any loan represented by a book debt, to any of its directors, or to any other person in whom the director is interested or give any guarantee or provide any security in connection with any loan taken by him or such other person.

In the above case, housing accommodation is provided to the managing director. The company has not given any advance or loan to the Managing Director.

The amount deposited with the landlord in respect of housing accommodation cannot be said to be an indirect loan to the Managing Director as the contract has been entered into by the company with the landlord.

The company has paid the security advance on account of a bonafide business transaction towards the fulfillment of condition of contract entered by the company with the landlord.

The company can at any time have the house vacated by the Managing Director and Company may accommodate any other person in the said house or Company can use it for any other purpose at its own discretion. Thus, this transaction does not amount to loan by the company to the Managing Director, [case law Dr. Fredie Ardeshir Mehta V. Union of India [1991] 70 Comp. Cas. 210 (Bom.)]

Question 138.
Cautious Ltd., an unlisted company with 1200 shareholders proposes to extend loans and make investments in excess of the limits prescribed under Sec. 186(3) of the Act. As part of the compliance requirements, the Company is required to pass a special resolution. Advise the Company if a polling by show of hands is adequate or a poll is required.
Answer:
As per Rule 22(16) of the Companies (Management & Administration) Rules 2014, it is mandatory for a company with more than 200 members to transact the business of authorizing provision of loans or guarantees in excess of the limit specified under Sec. 186(3) of the Act only through postal ballot and not by show of hands. Rule 20 regarding voting by electronic means shall apply, as far as applicable, mutatis mutandis to the postal ballot in respect of the voting by electronic means.

Under the circumstances, it is mandatory for Cautious Ltd. being an unlisted company, with 1200 members to conduct a poll and electronic means to approve the lending under Sec. 186(3) of the Act.

Question 139.
Mr. Faithful is an auditor of Daga Ltd. While auditing the accounts of the Daga Ltd. for 2016-17, he finds manipulation of funds around ₹ 2 crore committed by the officers of the company against the Daga Ltd. Examine in the light of the Companies Act, 2013 the way frauds are required to be reported by Mr. Faithful and the duty of the Daga Ltd. in relation to reporting of such frauds.
Answer:
Reporting of frauds by auditor and other matters : As per Section 139 read with.Rule 13 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, if an auditor of a company, in the course of the performance of his duties as auditor, has reason to believe that an offence of fraud, which involves or is expected to involve individually an amount of rupees one crore or above, is being or has been committed against the company by its officer or employees, the auditor shall report the matter to the Central Government. The auditor shall report the matter to the Central Government as given below:
1. The auditor shall report the matter to the Board or the Audit Committee, as the case may be, immediately but not later than two days of his knowledge of the fraud, seeking their reply or observations within forty-five days;

2. On receipt of such reply or observations, the auditor shall forward his report and the’reply or observations of the Board or the Audit Committee along with his comments (on such reply or observations of the Board or the Audit Committee) to the Central Government within fifteen days from the date of receipt of such reply or observations;

3. In case the auditor fails to get any reply or observations from the board or the Audit Committee within the stipulated period of forty-five days, he shall forward his report to the Central Government along with a note containing the details of his report that was earlier forwarded to the Board or the Audit Committee for whiGh he has not received any reply or observations;

4. The report shall be sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs in a sealed cover by Registered Post with Acknowledgment Due or by Speed Post followed by an email in confirmation of the same;

5. The report shall be on the letter-head of the auditor containing postal address, email address and contact telephone number or mobile number and be signed by the auditor with his seal and shall indicate his Membership Number; and

6. The report shall be in the form of a statement as specified in Form ADT-4.
Particular of each of the fraud reported to the Audit Committee or the Board during the year shall be disclosed in the Board’s Report by the company:

  • Nature of Fraud with description;
  • Approximate Amount involved
  • Parties involved, if remedial action not taken; and
  • Remedial actions taken.

Question 140.
Fashion SpA is a Company incorporated in Italy, having a place of business in Mumbai for the conduct of its business. For the year ended March, 2018, Fashion SpA filed their financial statements with the ROC in compliance with Sec. 381 of the Act, which declared a turnover of ₹ 1,200 Crore and net profit of ₹ 49 Crore. Advise the Company on the applicability of CSR Provisions and the compliance, if any, required.
Answer:
Sec. 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides the threshold limits for a company to get attracted by the CSR provisions as turnover of ₹ 1,000 Crore or more, networth of ₹ 500 Crore or more and net profit of ₹ 5 Crore or more, Rule 3 of the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules 2014 further clarifies that Sec. 135 shall be applicable to a foreign company defined under Sec 2(42) of the Act and the threshold numbers for testing the applicability of Sec 135 shall be as per the financial statements filed by the foreign company under Sec. 381 of the Act.

Hence, Fashion SpA attracts the provisions of Se6. 135 as they are above the threshold limit.

Therefore, the Company has to form a CSR Committee in line with the provisions, frame the CSR policy and spend at least 2% of the average .profits of the Company for the preceding three financial years. The net profit for the purpose shall be computed in line with Sec. 198 of the Act.

Question 141.
Flex Ltd., a Company incorporated in 2001, has 8 shareholders with a net worth of ₹ 2 Crore. During the month of August 2018, Flex Ltd. got a term loan of ₹ 10 Crore sanctioned by a scheduled bank which was immediately availed. On 1st January, 2018, based on their request, the Company registered the transfer of the entire shares held by 5 shareholders in favour of Ram, another shareholder of the Company. Discuss the consequences.
Answer:
Sec 3A of-the Act provides that if at any time, the number of members of a Company is reduced (in the case of public company below 7 and in case of private company below 2) and the company carries on business for more than 6 months while the number of members is so reduced, every person who is a member of the company during the time that it so carries on business after those 6 months and is cognizant of the fact that it is carrying on business with less than the required number, shall be severally liable for the payment of the whole debts of the company contracted during that time and may be severally sued therefor.

Flex Ltd. by making a share transfer in January 2018 got its members reduced to 3, below the statutory minimum of 7. Thus, the Company will attract the provisions of Sec. 3A when a term loan was availed by the Company from a scheduled bank. Under the circumstances, the remaining three shareholders shall become severally liable for the repayment of the term loan and the concerned scheduled bank can proceed against them individually.

Question 142.
Star Ltd., is a company incorporated in Tamil Nadu in which 26% of the equity is held by the Government of Tamil Nadu in the name of the Governor of the State. When the Company proposed to hold its annual general meeting for the year 2017-18, the Collector of the District of Vellore where the company is situated, insisted on receiving the notice of the AGM and wanted to attend the meeting. Examine the legality of the claim.
Answer:
As per Sec. 112 of the Companies Act, 2013, when the President of India or the Governor of a State is a member of a company, he may appoint such person as he thinks fit to Act as his representative at any meeting of the company or at any meeting of any class of members of the company.

A person so nominated shall be deemed to be a member of the Company and shall be entitled to exercise the same rights and powers, including the right to vote by proxy and postal ballot, as the President or Governor as the case may be, could exercise as a member of the company. In view of the above, unless the Collector of the District of Vellore is nominated by the Governor of Tamil Nadu, he is not entitled to receive the notice of the AGM and he cannot be permitted to attend the meeting.

Question 143.
Medium Ltd. an unlisted company with a net worth of ₹ 5 Crore and turnover of ₹ 50 Crore has 200 shareholders spread across the country. Out of this, 175 shareholders hold their shares in dematerialized format while the rest hold in physical format. The Company wants to circulate the financial statements for the year ended 31st March, 2018 in the most efficient way. Advise.
Answer:
Rule 11 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules 2014 provides for the manner in which circulation of financial statements can be made to the eligible members. In case of all listed companies and such public companies with a net worth of more than ₹ 1 Crore and turnover of ₹ 10 Crore, the financial statements may be sent:

  • By electronic mode to such members whose shareholding is in dematerialized format and whose email ids are registered with Depository for communication purposes.
  • Where shareholding is held otherwise than by dematerialized format, to such members who have positively consented in writing for receiving by electronic mode.

For the rest, by dispatch of physical copies through any recognized mode of delivery such as registered post, speed post, courier etc. as specified under section 20 of the Act. In the present case, Medium Ltd. can send the financial statements by electronic mode to the 175 shareholders who hold in dematerialized format and can approach the balance 25 shareholders to get their consent for receiving the financial statements by electronic mode. To the extent, they succeed in getting such consent, the circulation will be efficient. Where they are not successful, they can send them in physical mode.

Question 144.
Super Pharma Inc, a company registered in USA has a place of business in India with manufacturing operations and is dealing in Cardiac Stents in addition to other medical equipment. The overall turnover of the company is ₹ 200 crore during the financial year 2017-18 while the turnover relating to Cardiac Stents was ₹ 40 Crore. It is to be noted that out of this, ₹ 25 Crore related to the Cardiac Stents manufactured in its Indian facility while the balance ₹ 15 Crore related to the Cardiac Stents imported from their parent in USA and traded in the Indian market.

Advise the company on the applicability of Cost Records and Audit to the Company during the financial year 2018-19. Will the position differ, if the export turnover of Cardiac Stents for the company was 132 Crore during the said period?
Answer:
As per Rule 3 of the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules 2014, companies, including foreign companies, engaged in the production of goods or services specified in the table given in the Rule 3 having an overall turnover from all its products and services of ₹ 35 Crore or more during the immediately preceding financial year are required to maintain cost records for the products and services included in such table. Production, import and supply or trading of Cardiac Stents is included in Point No. 33 of such table under non-regulated sector. However, as per proviso to Rule 3, nothing contained in serial number 33 shall apply to foreign companies having only liaison offices.

Further, as per Rule 4, every company covered under Rule 3 in non- regulated sector shall get its cost records audited if the overall turnover of the company from all its products and services during the immediately preceding year is ₹ 100 Crore or more and the aggregate turnover of the individual product or service for which cost records are maintained is ₹ 35 Crore or more.

Hence, in the instant case, since the Super Pharma has manufacturing operations in India and having overall turnover of ₹ 200 Crore and the turnover from Cardiac Stents is ₹ 40 Crore, cost audit is mandatory for the company for Cardiac Stents.

Rule 4(3) provides exemption from cost audit if the revenue from exports in foreign exchange exceeds 75% of its total revenue. Therefore, in case if Supper Pharma Inc has an export turnover of 80% then they will be exempted from the requirement of cost audit in respect of Cardiac Stents.

Question 145.
Fortune Ltd. proposes to draw a term loan of ₹ 20 Crore from Life Insurance Corporation. The Company owns a property comprising of land and buildings valued at ₹ 100 Crore. As per the sanction letters issued by the lender, a first charge on the above property is to be created in favor of LIC. Draft necessary resolution to give effect to the above charge creation.
Answer:
Resolution under Sec. 180(1 )(a) of the Companies Act, 2013 for creating a charge on company’s assets

  • Kind of Meeting : Shareholders meeting
  • Type of Resolution : Special Resolution

To consider and, if thought fit, to pass with or without modification(s), the : following resolution as a special resolution:

RESOLVED THAT consent of the Company be and is hereby accorded in terms of Section 180(1)(a) and other applicable provisions, if any, of the Companies Act, 2013 to mortgaging and/ or charging by the Board of Directors of the Company by way of equitable and/or legal mortgage on immovable property of the Company, both present and future, represented by land and buildings more specifically described in the loan agreement document signed by the Company with Life Insurance Corporation, together with power to take over the assets of the Company in certain events, to or in favor of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) by way of first pari passu charge to secure the term loan of ₹ 20 Crore granted to the Company, together with interest at the agreed rate payable by the Company under the loan agreements, hypothecation deeds and other documents executed or to be executed by the Company in respect of the term loans from LIC.

RESOLVED FURTHER THAT the Board of Directors be and is hereby authorized to finalize with Life Insurance Corporation, the documents for creating the aforesaid mortgage or charge and to do all acts, deeds and things as may be required for giving effect to the above resolution.

Explanatory statement:
Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) have sanctioned term loan of ₹ 20 Crore to the company. This loan is to be secured by first charge on immovable property of the Company, both present and future, represented by Land and Buildings owned by the Company, in the manner as may be required by LIC. Such mortgage/charge shall rank first pari passu charge with the charges already created, if any, or to be created in favor of the particioating institutions and banks for their assistance.

Section 180(1)(a) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides inter alia, that the Board of Directors of a public company shall not, without the consent of a public company in general meeting, sell, lease or otherwise dispose off the whole or substantially the whole of any such undertaking. Mortgaging/charging of the immovable property of the Company as aforesaid to secure the term loans may be regarded as disposal of the whole or substantially the whole of the said undertaking(s) of the Company and therefore requires consent of the Company pursuant to Section 180(1 )(a) of the Companies Act, 2013.

The Directors recommend the resolution for approval of the shareholders as a special resolution under Sec. 180(1 )(a) of the Companies Act, 2013. None of the directors are concerned or interested in the proposed resolutions.

Notes:
Section 180(1 )(a) will arise only when the whole or substantially the whole of the underiaking is being sold, leased or otherwise disposed off. If the company has land, say, worth about ₹ 5000 crores, it may not be attract the section.

Further, under Rule 22(16)tj), resolution under Sec. 180(1)(a) needs to be passed by postal ballot.

Question 146.
A group of members of XYZ Limited has filed a petition before the Tribunal alleging various acts of oppression and mismanagement by the majority shareholders of the company. The Petitioner group holds 12% of the issued share capital of the company. During the pendency of the petition, some of the petitioner group holding about 5% of the issued share capital of the company wish to disassociate themselves from the petition and they along with the other majority shareholders have submitted before the Tribunal that the petition may be dismissed on the ground of non-maintainability.

Examine their contention having regard to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
Answer:
1. The argument of the majority shareholders that the petition may be dismissed on the ground of non-maintainability is not correct.

2. The proceedings shall continue irrespective of withdrawal of consent by some petitioners. It has been held by the Supreme Court in Rajmundhry Electric Corporation vs. V. Nageswar Rao, A.I.R. (1956) S.C. 273 that if some of the consenting members have subsequent to the presentation of the petition withdraw their consent, it would not affect the right of the applicant to proceed with the petition.

3. Hence, the validity of the petition must be judged on the facts as they were at the time of presentation.

4. Neither the right of the applicants to proceed with the petition nor the jurisdiction of Tribunal to dispose it of on its merits can be affected by events happening subsequent to the presentation of the petition.

Question 147.
Ram and Sam are the independent directors of Taurus Ltd. Ram was appointed for a period of 5 years on August 1,2015 while Sam was originally appointed for 3 years on August 1, 2014 and was subsequently reappointed for 5 years on August 1, 2017. Now, in August 2018, the Company wants to remove both the independent directors. Is this feasible and if so, what is the procedure
Answer:
Sec. 169 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that a company may, by ordinary resolution, remove a director before the expiry of the period of office, after giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard. The proviso to the section stipulates that an independent director re-appointed for a second term shall be removed by the company only by passing a special resolution and after giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

In the above case, Taurus Ltd. can remove Ram who was appointed on Aug 1,2015 for a term of 5 years, by passing an ordinary resolution after giving him a reasonable opportunity of being heard, as this is the first term for Ram. Notwithstanding, to remove Sam who was re-appointed for the second term on Aug 1,2017, the company needs to pass a special resolution and further give him a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

Question 148.
Dynamic Limited, a Company registered in India, has a wholly owned subsidiary M Inc registered in USA. M Inc has further layers of wholly owned subsidiaries N Inc and P Inc, all registered in USA.
Advise the Company on the following:
(a) N Inc wants to exit their holdings in P Inc and take over Q Inc as a wholly owned subsidiary.
(b) Dynamic Ltd. wants to mirror image a similar set up in France. Advise the feasibility of creating such layers of subsidiaries in France.
Answer:
Section 186(1) of the Act read with Rule 2 of the Companies (Restriction on number of layers) Rules, 2017, prohibits a company from having more than two layers of subsidiaries. Further, every company existing on or before the commencement of these rules, which has number of layers in excess of two shall file with the registrar a return in form CRL-1 and shall not afterthe date of commencement of these rules, have any additional layer of subsidiaries over and above the layers existing on such date.

Also, the company, in case one or more layers of its subsidiaries are reduced by it subsequently to the commencement of these rules, shall retain the layers after such reduction subject to maximum of two layers. Further, second proviso of rule 2 of Companies (Restriction on number of layers) Rules, 2017 provides that for computing the number of layers under this rule, one layer which consists of one or more wholly owned subsidiary or subsidiaries shall not be taken into account.

Applying the above provisions, M Inc., being wholly owned subsidiary of Dynamic Ltd. shall not be counted into a layer, under the aforesaid provisions of the Companies (Restriction on number of layers) Rules, 2017.
(a) Excluding M Inc. the wholly owned subsidiary. Dynamic Ltd. Has only two layers of subsidiaries i.e. N Inc. and P Inc. Hence, N Inc. can exit from P Inc. and take over Q Inc. while being compliant with the applicable provisions.

(b) And yes, it can create such layers of subsidiaries in France also, if if is permitted under the local laws of France, as long as the number of layers of subsidiaries as computed under Section 186(1) read with Rule 2 of Companies (Restriction on number of layers) Rules, 2017 doesn’t exceeds more than 2 layers.

Question 149.
Comment, if in the following cases, the person concerned will be disqualified to be appointed as a director of a public limited company:
(a) Ram has an application pending for adjudication as an insolvent and the application is not yet decided by the authority.

(b) Govind was convicted for an offence, not involving any moral turpitude, and sentenced to imprisonment for a term of 8 years, but a period of more than 5 years has elapsed from the expiry of the sentence.

(c) Raja has not paid the final call on 10,000 equity shares held by him in the Company so far. The company had fixed 31s1 May, 2019 as the last date for the payment of the call money.

(d) Keshav, who was a director in another company previously, had contravened the provisions relating to related party transactions and was convicted during 2017.

(e) Prakash holds directorship in a total of 15 companies as on date comprising of 9 public companies, 2 private companies which are subsidiaries of a public company and 4 private companies.
Answer:
Section 164 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides disqualification for Appointment of Director resulting a person is considered as disqualified for
his appointment as a director of the company. Accordingly,
(a) A person who has applied to be adjudicated as an insolvent and his application is pending shall be disqualified. Therefore,. Ram is disqualified from appointment.

(b) A person who has been convicted for an offence, whether or not involving moral turpitude and sentenced for more than 7 years cannot be appointed even after the lapse of 5 years from the expiry of the sentence, shall be disqualified. Hence, Govind is disqualified.

(c) A person who has not paid the calls on shares due and a period of 6 months have elapsed from the due date fixed for payment, shall be disqualified. In this case, since a period of 6 months has not yet elapsed from the due date fixed for payment of call money, which is 31s1 May 2019 and therefore, Raja is not disqualified.

(d) A person who has contravened the provisions of section 188 and has been convicted any time during the last 5 years shall be disqualified. Keshav was Convicted for violation of section 188, during 2017 which is within preceding 5 years and is therefore disqualified.

(e) Section 165 provides that the maximum number of companies in which a person can be a director shall not exceed 20 companies in which public companies should not be more than 10. Private companies that are subsidiaries of public companies shall be treated as public companies for this purpose. Accordingly, Prakash, who is a director in 11 public companies shall be disqualified to be so appointed in another public company.

Question 150.
Elegant Ltd., engaged in the retailing of petroleum products sourced from the national oil companies, sells petrol and diesel, in addition to other outside customers, to.the companies in which the directors of the Company hold directorship. The total value of supplies made to such companies during the year 2018-19 amounted to ₹ 125 Crore. This forms 12% of the annual turnover of Elegant Ltd.
Explain the compliance requirements for Elegant Limited assuming: (i) The products are sold by Elegant Limited to those companies at the market price announced by the oil marketing companies and (ii) Elegant Ltd. provides a discount of 10% bn such market price on its sale to only those companies and not to others.
Answer:
Section 138 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with Rule 15(3) of the Companies (Meetings of the Board and its powers) Rules, 2014 provides that where the related party transaction in a financial year for sale or supply of goods, materials exceeding ₹ 100 crores or 10% of the turnover of the company, whichever is lower, such contract shall not be entered except with the consent of the Board of Directors given by a resolution at a meeting of the Board and prior approval of the company by a resolution passed at a General Meeting. The 4lh proviso to the Section 188(1) further provides that where the transaction is entered into in the ordinary course of business and the transactions are at arm’s length basis, the provisions of Section 188(1) shall not apply to such transaction.

(i) In the given case, Elegant Ltd. has crossed the threshold limit of the transaction by way of sale of petroleum products for ₹ 125 crore which forms 12% of its turnover. However, then such petroleum products are sold, in the ordinary course of business at arm’s length prices, i.e. without offering any discount at the market price fixed by the oil marketing companies. Accordingly, the provisions of Section 188(1) shall not apply to this transaction and such transactions could be done as any other routine business transaction.

(ii) In the given case, Elegant Ltd. is allowing a discount of 10% to such related parties, and therefore the transaction cannot be considered to be at arm’s length. Moreover, the value of Transaction with such related parties during the financial year is more than the limit prescribed under Rule 15(3) of the Companies (Meetings of the Board and its powers) Rules 2014, being 10% of the turnover and hence, consent of the Board of Directors given by a resolution at a meeting of the Board and prior approval of the company by a resolution passed at a General Meeting is required for entering into each of such contract.

Question 151.
(a) Alpha Ltd, during the regular audit, ascertained the following contraventions during the financial year 2018-19, which have not been rectified till date:

  • The annual returns and financial statements for the year ended March 2018 have not been filed with the Registrar.
  • Cumulative debentures amounting to ₹ 5 crore which became due for redemption during March 2019 were not redeemed.
  • Charge Created on the factory premises in June 2018 was not registered with the Registrar.

The Company proposes to change its name from Alpha Ltd. to Gama Limited. Advise on the feasibility.
Answer:
Rule 29 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014 provides that the change of name shall not be allowed to a company which has not filed annual returns or financial statements due for filing with the registrar or which has failed to pay or repay matured deposits or debentures and interest thereon. The proviso to the rule states that the change of name shall be, allowed upon filing necessary documents or payment or repayment of matured deposits or debentures or interest thereon, as the case may be.

In the instant case, Alpha Ltd has defaulted in filing of annual returns and financial statements for the year ended March. 2018 with the Registrar and also the redemption of debentures which were due for redemption during March, 2019. Hence, in terms of the above referred Rule 29 the company will be allowed to change its name from Alpha Limited to Gama Limited only after the ratification of such contraventions.

However, non-filing of charge is not covered under the above referred rule 29 and hence the application for change of name can be proceeded with, even before filing for registration of the charge.

Question 152.
(i) Pluto Limited has a paid-up equity share capital of ₹ 10 crore comprised of:

  • 80 lakh equity shares of ₹ 10 each fully paid up
  • 40 lakh equity shares of ₹ 10 each on which only ₹ 5 per share is paid up.

The company wants to pay dividend in proportion to the amount paid up, even though the articles of the company is silent on this, Is it tenable?
Answer:
Section 51 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that a company may, if so authorised by its articles, pay dividends in proportion to the amount paid-up on each share. The section allows a company to pay dividends in proportions to the arriount paid-up on each share, when they are not uniformly paid up.

In the instant case, Pluto Ltd has equity shares that are not uniformly paid up. But, the articles of association of the company is silent as to whether ‘ dividends can be paid on pro rata basis. Hence, Pluto Ltd cannot pay dividend in proportion to the amount paid up, unless the articles of association of the Pluto Ltd expressly provide for such pro rata payment.

Question 153.
Decide, quoting the relevant provisions, if the following shareholders of Minimum Ltd. fall under the definition of Significant
Beneficial Owner:
(a) Lakshman holds 12% of the equity share capital in Minimum Limited, as a sole shareholder;

(b) C Ltd. holds 20% of the equity share capital of Minimum Limited. Krishna holds 75% of the equity share capital in C Limited while Guha holds the balance 25% equity in C Ltd.

(c) Ashok is the trustee of a Charitable Trust, which holds 20% of equity share capital in Minimum Limited.
Answer:
(a) According to Rule 2(1) (e) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Rules, 2018, to be a SBO the name of SBO should not be in the Registered of Member. In this case Lakshman is holding 12% of the equity share capital as a sole shareholder in his own name. Therefore, he does not fall under the definition.

(b) According to Explanation I (i) to Rule 2(1 )(e) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Rules. 2018, where the member is a company, the significant beneficial owner is the natural person, who, whether acting alone or together with other natural persons, or through one or more other persons or trusts, holds not less than ten per cent, share capital of the company or who exercises significant influence or control in the company through other means. In present case, Krishna who holds 75% of the equity capital in C Ltd is indirectly holding 15% (75% of 20%) in Minimum Ltd. as C Ltd. holds 20% of the equity share in Minimum Ltd. and hence, he is a significant beneficial owner. Guha who holds only 25% in C Ltd. is indirectly holding 5% (25% of 20%) in Minimum Ltd as C holds 20% equity share capital in C Ltd hence he is not a significant beneficial owner.

(c) Accordingly to Explanation I (iv) to Rule 2(1 )(e) of the companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Rules 2018, where the member is a trust (through trustee), the identification of beneficial owner(s) shall include identification of the author of the trust, the trustee, the beneficiaries with not less than ten per cent, interest in the trust and any other natural person exercising ultimate effective control over the trust through a chain of control or ownership.

Ashok, the Trustee of a charitable trust that holds 20% equity in Minimum Ltd. falls under the definition of significant beneficial c Atner.

Alternate Answer : Companies (Significant Beneficial Owners) Amendment Rules, 2019
Rule 2(h) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Amendments Rules 2019 defines the term significant beneficial owner in relation to a reporting company as an individual, who acting alone or through one or more persons or trust possesses one or more of the following rights or entitlements in the reporting company

  • Holds indirectly or together with direct holdings not less than 10% of shares
  • Holds indirectly or together with direct holdings not less than 10° of voting rights in shares.
  • Has a right to receive or participate in not less than 10% of the total distributable dividend or any other distribution in a financial year through indirect holdings along or together with any direct holdings.
  • Has a right to exercise or actually exercises significant influence or control in any manner other than through direct holdings alone.

Further:
(i) in terms of Explanation I and Explanation II (i) to Rule 2(h) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Rules 2018, if the shares in the reporting company representing such right or entitlement are held in the name of the individual then such individual shall not be considered to be SBO.

(ii) in terms of Explanation III(i)(a) to Rule 2(h) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Rules 2018. where the member of the reporting company is a body corporate (whether incorporated in Indian or not), then the significant beneficial owner shall be such natural person, who holds majority stake of that member

(iii) in terms of Explanation III(iv)(a) to Rule 2(h) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Rules 2018, where the member of the reporting company is a Charitable trust (through trustee), the individual who is the Trustee in case of a Charitable Trust, shall be considered to be the SBO.

Accordingly:
(a) Lakshman is holding 12% of the equity share capital in the reporting company in his own name and therefore cannot be considered as SBO.

(b) Krishna who holds 75% of the equity capital, i.e. is a majority stakeholder in C Ltd. which is a member of Minimum Ltd. and hence Krishna is a significant beneficial owner. Guha who holds only 25% and not a majority stake, does not fail under the definition.

(c) Ashok, the trustee of a charitable trust that holds 20% equity in Minimum Ltd falls under the definition of significant beneficial owner.

Question 154.
Fresh Limited wants to extend a loan of ₹ 2 crore to High Private Limited. Harihar, a director of Fresh Limited is also a director in High Private Limited. Is it feasible?
Answer:
Section 185(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that a company may advance any loan to any person in whom any of the directors of the company is interested subject to –

a. passing of a special resolution by the company in general meeting and the explanatory statement in the notice for the relevant general meeting shall indicate the full details of the loan and the purpose for which the loan is to be utilized by the recipient of the loan and

b. The loan is utilized by the borrowing company for its principal business activities. For the purpose of these provisions the term, “Any person in whom any of the directors of the company is interested” includes any private company of which any such director is a director or member.

Accordingly, Fresh Ltd can extend loan of ^ 2.00 crores to High Private Ltd., in which Hari har is a common director, subject to the fulfilment of the above referred conditions of Section 185(2).

Question 155.
Tarun deposited ₹ 1,00,000 in April 2018 with F Ltd., an unlisted public company carrying on manufacturing operations for a term of 3 years. Tarun seeks your advice on the following:
(a) Tarun has an emergency in November 2018 at home for which he needs the above funds immediately. Can he get back the money without any deductions?

(b) During December 2018, F Ltd. was issued at notice by the Reserve Bank of India declaring the deposit scheme invalid as F Ltd. had paid brokerage in excess of the limits prescribed by RBI. Can Tarun be paid back the whole amount of deposit with accrued interest without any deduction?
Answer:
Rule 15 of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 provides ) that where a company makes a repayment of the deposits on the request of the depositor, after the expiry of 6 months but before the expiry of the period for which such deposits was accepted, ‘he rate of interest payable on such deposit shall be reduced by the one percent from the rate which the company would have paid had the deposits been accepted for the period for which it has actually run and the company shall not pay interest at any rate higher than the rate so reduced.
(a) Since, Tarun is seeking a withdrawal of his Deposit after expiry of six months from the date of deposit, he is entitled to get an interest @ 1 less than the rate which the company would have paid had the deposits been accepted for the period for which it has actually run.

(b) The above provision will not apply where the company is forced to refund the deposits due to non-compliance with the provision of rule 3, which includes the limit of the. brokerage to be paid as fixed by the Reserve Bank of India. As F Ltd has violated the maximum rate of brokerage fixed, the company has to return the deposits without any deduction in the interest rate of amount.

Question 156.
Crown Limited during the course of statutory audit, found that Dinesh, their whole time director whose managerial remuneration was approved at ₹ 100 lakh per annum has drawn remuneration amounting to ₹ 125 lakh during the financial year 2018-19. Dinesh does not want to refund the excess remuneration drawn by him and the company is also keen to waive the recovery of the sum refundable by Dinesh. The company has defaulted in all the instalments of term loan recoverable by them during the year amounting to ₹ 50 lakh. Advise the company on the course of action.
Answer:
Section 197(9) and (10) of the Companies Act, 2013, provides that where any director has received remuneration in excess of the limit prescribed under this section, he shall refund such sums to the company within two years or such lesser period as may be allowed by the company. The company cannot waive the recovery of any such sum refundable unless approved by the company by special resolution within two years from the date the sum becomes refundable.

Further where the company has defaulted in payment of dues to any bank or public financial institution or non-convertible debenture holders or any other secured creditor, the prior approval of such bank or financial institution or the debenture holder or the secured creditor as the case may be, shall be obtained by the company before obtaining the company approval in the general meeting. Therefore, the Crown Ltd. has to take an approval from the lender to whom the loan instalments are due and thereafter also obtain the approval of the company in general meeting for such waiver.

Question 157.
The Board of Directors of Fast Limited decided at their first Board meeting that every year, the board meeting shall be scheduled on the four dates, viz. 10th April, 10th July, 10th September and 10th January, with a view to enable the directors to plan their other activities. This was unanimously agreed to by all the directors and was recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
(i) Rahul, the Company Secretary of the Company took a position that no notice forjhe Board Meeting is required to be issued in view of the above arrangement agreed in the first board meeting. Is it tenable?

(ii) An item business not included in the agenda item was taken up by one of the directors. Can Rahul refuse to take it up for discussion?
Answer:
(i) Section 173 of the Companies Act, 2013, which deals with board meetings and the requirement of notice to be given for a board meeting to be convened, is silent on the above situation. However, Secretarial Standards (SS-1). which deals with the best practices for a board meeting provides specifically under clause 1.3.5 that the notice of the meeting shall be given even if meetings are held on pre-determined dates or at pre-determined intervals.

In view of the above, Rahul cannot take a position that no notice for the board meeting is required in the instant case. A notice has to be issued for every meeting even though the dates of the meeting have been pre-determined and agreed to by all the directors.

(ii) Clause 1.3.10 of the SS-1 further provides that any item of business not included Thus, where majority of the directors including one independent director consent to the inclusion of the subject and the chairman has no objection, Rahul cannot the instant case.

A notice has to be issued for every meeting even though the chairman and with the consent of a majority of the directors present in the dates of the meeting have been pre-determined and agreed to by all the directors, meeting, which shall include at least one independent director, if there is one. in the agenda may be taken up for a consideration with the permission of the Rahul cannot take a position that no notice for the board meeting is required in 11 PP-ACLP June 2019 refuse to take up the subject to discussion.

Question 158.
You are appointed by Crook Limited to conduct Secretarial Audit for the year ended March, 2019. During the course of the audit, you encounter certain transactions that make you believe that an offence of fraud involving an amount of ₹ 2 crore has been committed in the company by its officers and employees. Explain the action required from your side to comply with the Act.
Answer:
Section 143 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 13 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014 provides that where an auditor in the course of an audit of a company has reason to believe that an offence of fraud, which involves or is expected to involve, individually an amount of ₹ 1 crore and above, is being or has been committed against the company by its officers or employees, the auditor shall report the matter to the Central Government in the following steps:

(i) The auditor shall report the matter to the Board or the Audit Committee, as the case may be, immediately but not later than two days of his knowledge of fraud, seeking their reply or observations within 45 days.

(ii) On receipt of such reply or observations, the auditor shall forward his report along with reply from the Board or the Audit Committee to the Central Government within 15 days from the date of receipt of such reply or observations.

(iii) In case, he fails to get any reply or observations as above, he shall forward his report to the Central Government along with a note containing details of his report that was forwarded to the Board or the Audit Committee. The report to Central Government shall be in the form of a statement as specified in e-form ADT-4.

As per Section 143(14)(b) of the Act. the above referred provisions of Section 143 apply mutatis mutandis to the cost audit conducted by a secretarial audit conducted by a company secretary.

Question 159.
Growth Limited has designed an Employee Stock Option Scheme and has formed a trust for the purpose of executing the scheme. The Company seeks your advice on the conditions to be complied for providing necessary funds to the trust for purchasing the shares in the Company. Advise.
Answer:
Rule 16 of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 provides for the following conditions to be complied with when a company wants to provide funds to the trust for purchasing the shares of the Company for the purpose of ESOP:

  • The scheme for the provision of money for purchase of or subscriptions of shares is approved by the members by passing a special resolution.
  • Such purchase of shares shall be made only through recognized stock exchange in case the shares are listed and not by way of private offers or arrangements.
  • Where shares of the company are not listed, the valuation at which shares are to be purchased shall be made by registered valuer.
  • The value of shares to be purchased or subscribed in the aggregate together with the money provided by the company shall not exceed 5% of the aggregate paid-up share capital and free reserves of the company.
  • The explanatory statement to be annexed to the notice of the meeting for passing special resolution shall contain particulars of the class of employees for whose benefits the scheme is being implemented and the particulars of the trustee or employees in whose favour such shares are to be registered.

Question 160.
Modest Limited, a listed company with more than 5000 shareholders, wants to send the notice of the ensuing Annual General Meeting to all its shareholders by e-mail. Advise the Company on the compliance points to be addressed in this regard.
Answer:
According to Rule 18 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014 the following are the conditions to be complied with when Modest Ltd wants to send the notice of the ensuing AGM to all its shareholders by email-
a. The email shall be addressed to the person entitled to receive such email as per the records of the company as provided by the depository.

b. The company shall provide an advance opportunity at least once in a financial year, to the member to register his email address and changes therein and such request may be made by only those members who have not got their email id recorded or to update a fresh email id and not from the members whose email ids are already registered.

c. The subject line in email shall state the name of the company, notice of the type of meeting, place and date on which the meeting is scheduled.

d. The company should ensure that it uses a system which produces confirmation of the total number of recipients emailed and a record of each recipient to whom the notice has been sent as well as failed transmissions and subsequent resending shall be retained by the company as proof of sending.

e. if a member entitled to receive notice fails to provide or update relevant email address to the company or the depository participant, the company shall not be in default for not delivering the notice.

f. The notice shall be simultaneously placed on the website of the company and on the website as may be notified by the Central Government.

g. The company may send the email through in house facility or t s ere ands transfer agent or authorize any third party agency providing bilk email facility.

Question 161.
An investigation has been ordered in respect of Liberty Limited and consequently, the Central Government has directed the company to preserve the books of accounts of the company for the past 12 years. Subsequently, based on an application form, the Central Government, NCLT has ordered that the books of accounts relating to past 12 years should be reopened to rectify certain anomalies. The Company contends that the reopening cannot be ordered in respect of years earlier than 8 years from the current financial year. Is it tenable?
Answer:
Section 128(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 stipulates that the books of account of every company relating to a period of not less than eight financial years immediately preceding a financial year or where the company has been in existence for a period less than eight years, in respect of all the preceding years together with the vouchers relevant to any entry in such books of accounts shall be kept in good order. But where an investigation has been ordered in respect of the company, the Central Government may direct that the books of accounts may be kept for such longer periods as it may deem fit.

Section 130 of the Companies Act. 2013 provides that company shall revise and restate their accounts based on an order made by a court of competent jurisdiction or NCLT and such order shall not be made in respect of re-opening of books of accounts relating to a period earlier than eight financial years immediately preceding the current financial year. However, where a direction has been issued by the Central Government under section 128(5) for keeping of books of accounts for a period longer than 8 years, the books of accounts may be ordered to be revised or reopened within such longer period.

In the light of the above, Liberty Ltd. has no grounds to contend the order of the NCLT for revision of accounts for the past 12 years.

(a) M/s RST and Co., a firm of Chartered Accountants, comprising of three partners R,’ S and T are Statutory Auditors of 50 companies as per details given below.

  • Small Companies – 10
  • Private Companies having paid-up share capital of less than ₹ 100
  • Crores – 20
  • Private Companies having paid-up share capital of more than ₹ 100 .
    Crores – 15
  • Public Companies – 5

Mr. R signs the Balance Sheet of 10 Small Companies and 10 Private Companies having paid-up share capital of less than ₹ 100 Crores. Mr. S signs the Balance Sheet of 10 Private Companies having paid-up share capital of less than ₹ 100 Crores and 5 Private Companies having paid-up share capital of more than ₹ 100 Crores. Mr. T signs the Balance Sheet of 10 Private Companies having paid-up share capital of more than ₹ 100 Crores and 5 Public Companies.

What is the maximum number of audits that the firm as a whole can accept and what is the maximum number of audits each individual partner can accept?
Answer:
Ceiling on Number of Audit: As per Section 141 (3)(g) of the Companies Act, 2013, a person shall not be eligible for appointment as an auditor if he is in full time employment elsewhere or a person or a partner of a firm holding appointment as its auditor, if such person or partner is at the date of such appointment or reappointment holding appointment as auditor of more than twenty Companies other than one person companies, dormant Companies, small Companies and private Companies having paid-up share capital less than ₹ 100 crores.

As per Section 141 (3)(g), this limit of 20 Company audits is per person. In the case of an audit firm having 3 partners, the overall ceiling will be 3 x 20 = 60 Company audits. Sometimes, a chartered accountant is a partner in a number of auditing firms. In such a case, all the firms in which he is partner or proprietor will be together entitled to 20 Company audits on his account. Therefore, maximum number of audits that the firm M/S. RST and CO. as a whole can accept is 60 and maximum number of audits each individual partner can accept is 20 i.e. other than one person Companies, dormant Companies, small Companies and private Companies having paid-up share capital less than ₹ 100 crores.

In the given case, CAR is holding appointment in 20 Companies, i.e. 10 small companies and 10 private companies having paid up share capital of less than ₹ 100 crores, whereas CAS is having appointment in 15 companies i.e. 10 private companies having paid up share capital of less than ₹ 100 crore and 5 private companies having paid up share capital of more than ₹ 100 crore and CAT is having appointment in 5 public Companies and 10 private companies having paid up share capital of more than ₹ 100 crores. In aggregate all three partners are having 50 audits.

As per Section 141 (3)(g) applying the above provisions, an auditor can accept more appointment as auditor = ceiling limit as per Section 141 (3)(g) – already holding appointments as an auditor.

Hence (1) CA R can accept 20 more audits. (2) CA S can accept 20-5 = 15 more audits and (3) CA T can accept 20-1 5 = 5 more audits.

As per the facts of the case, M/S. RST and CO. is already having 20 company audits and they can also accept 40 more company audits. In addition, they can also
conduct the audit of one person companies, small companies, dormant companies and private companies having paid up share capital less than ₹ 100 crores.

As per Section 141 (3)(g) of the Companies Act, 2013, M/S. RST and CO. can accept appointment as an auditor of 40 more companies as under
Table 4

Question 162.
Lakshman has been appointed as the managing director of Lucky Limited (which does not have any other whole time directors) on the, following terms and conditions:

  • Remuneration amounting to 5% of the net profits of the company.
  • A fee of ₹ 5,00,000 per annum towards actuarial services, even though Lakshman does not hold any professional qualification in actuarial science.
  • Company has paid a premium of ₹ 7,00,000 towards Directors and Off icers Liability policy to protect the Company against any negligence on the part of Lakshman.
  • Sitting fee of ₹ 25,000 for every meeting of the board or the Committee thereof attended by Lakshman.

The Company has defaulted in the repayment of interest and principal on term loans borrowed from banks, which default is still subsisting. Suggest if the above package of remuneration contravenes any provision of the Act and the remedial action required from the company.
Answer:
The overall limit on managerial remuneration indicated in section 197 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Schedule V of the Act has the following further conditions:
a. The remuneration shall not include any fee for services rendered by such director in other capacity if the services are of professional nature and in the opinion of the Nomination and Remuneration committee or the Board of Directors, as the case may be, the director possesses the prescribed qualification for the practice of the profession.

b. Premium paid on insurance taken to indemnify the directors against any liability arising out of their negligence, default etc. is not included in the overall remuneration, provided the concerned director is not guilty.

c. Sitting fee for attending the meeting of the Board or a committee thereof, is not included in the overall remuneration.

Considering the above provisions the fee payable for actuarial services is to be added to Lakshman’s remuneration as he does not possess professional qualification to practice actuarial science. In that case, the overall remuneration exceeds the limit of 5% of net profits as provided in the section. Therefore, the company has to get the approval of the shareholders by way of a special resolution in terms of Section 197. As the company has defaulted in payment of interest and principal on term loans to the banks, the company should also take a prior approval of the banks for paying the above remuneration to Lakshman, before passing the special resolution by shareholders.

Question 163.
Young Limited, an unlisted public company was incorporated on 1st September 2018 with an authorized share capital of ₹ 1 crore. The Company has A and B as subscribers to the Memorandum of Association wherein each of them have undertaken to subscribe to 50,000 equity shares of the Company having a face value of ₹ 10 each. Now, it is found that no action has been taken by the Company to collect the share subscription amount from A and B. Advise the Company on the contravention, if any, committed by them and the consequences.
Answer:
Section 164 of the Companies Act, 2013 provides disqualification for Appointment of Director resulting a person is considered as disqualified for his appointment as a director of the company.

Accordingly:
(a) A person who has applied to be adjudicated as an insolvent and his application is pending shall be disqualified. Therefore, Ram is disqualified from appointment.

(b) A person who has been convicted for an offence, whether or not involving moral turpitude and sentenced for more than 7 years cannot be appointed even after the lapse of 5 years from the expiry of the sentence, shall be disqualified. Hence. Govind is disqualified.

(c) A person who has not paid the calls on shares due and a period of 6 months have elapsed from the due date fixed for payment, shall be disqualified. In this case, since a period of 6 months has not yet elapsed from the due date fixed for payment of call money, which is 31 st May 2019 and therefore, Raja is not disqualified.

(d) A person who has contravened the provisions of section 188 and has been convicted any time during the last 5 years shall be disqualified. Keshav was convicted for violation of section 188, during 2017 which is within preceding 5 years and is therefore disqualified.

(e) Section 165 provides that the maximum number of companies in which a person can be a director shall not exceed 20 companies in which public companies should not be more than 10. Private companies that are subsidiaries of public companies shall be treated as public companies for this purpose. Accordingly, Prakash, who is a director in 11 public companies shall be disqualified to be so appointed in another public company.

Question 162.
Decide the liability of the person for commission of the act during the course of inspection, inquiry or investigation under the Companies Act, 2013:
(I) A person who is required to make statement during the course of investigation pending against its company, is a party to the manipulation of documents related to the transfer of securities and naming of holders in the register of members by the company.

(II) An employee of the company publicized among his social networking of sound financial position of his organization in order to incite the public to purchase the shares of its company. In actuality, the company was running in loss.
Answer:
Section 229 of the Companies Act, 2013 states that where a person who is required to provide an explanation or make a statement during the course of inspection, inquiry or investigation, or an officer or other employee of a company or other body corporate which is also under investigation, –
(a) destroys, mutilates or falsifies, or conceals or tampers or unauthorisedly removes, or is a party to the destruction, mutilation or falsification or concealment or tampering or unauthorised removal of, documents relating to the property, assets or affaire of the company or the body corporate;

(b) makes, or is a party to the making of, a false entry in any document concerning the company or body corporate; or

(c) provides an explanation which is false or which he knows to be false, he shall be punishable for fraud in the manner as provided in Section 447. As per the above provision:

  • With respect to this part of the question, the person shall be liable for fraud. Since, in the given case, he is a party in the manipulation of documents relating to the transfer of securities and in the register of members of the company which is under investigation.
  • Employee shall not be liable here, as the said company in which he is an employee, is not undergoing investigation. Secondly, the person purchasing the shares can act with due diligence before purchasing shares rather-fully relying on the publicity made on social networking.

Question 163.
Efficient Ltd an unlisted public company, having a paid up share capital of ₹ 50 crore held by 150 shareholders in physical form, proposes to issue secured debentures for an amount of ₹ 25 crore. The Company needs an advice as to whether the issue of secured debentures has to be in a dematerialized format and further if the existing equity shares of the company also needs to be dematerialized.
Answer:
As per the Rule 9A of the Companies (Prospectus and Allotment of Securities) Rules, 2014. every unlisted public company with effect from 2nd October 2018, shall issue securities only in dematerialised form and also facilitate dematerialization of all its existing securities in accordance with the provisions of the Depositories Act, 1996 and the regulations made there under.

They shall further ensure that before making any fresh issue of securities, the entire holding of securities of its promoters, directors, key managerial personnel has been dematerialised. Every holder of securities of an unlisted public company who intends to transfer such securities on or after 2nd October 2018, shall get such securities dematerialised before such transfer. Further, every holder who subscribes to any securities of an unlisted public company (whether by way of private placement or bonus or rights offer) on or after 2nd October 2018 shall ensure that all his existing securities are held in dematerialized before such subscription.

In the light of the above referred provisions, it is mandatory for the company to issue the secured debentures in dematerialised form only and also to ensure that all the existing securities already issued by the company are also converted to dematerialised form.

Question 164.
Beta Limited, a listed company, had built its bank borrowings to over ₹ 25 Crore over the past 5 years and there have been multiple defaults in payment of interest and principal amount. The Company has accumulated significant amount of losses. The consortium of bankers, on 1st April 2019, have therefore mooted a debt restructuring plan in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India, which requires a conversion of the total debt into equity shares of the Company to be made at a discount of 10% on the face value of the equity shares. However, the company argues that Section 53 of the Act prohibits any issue of shares at a discount. Can Beta Ltd. succeed in its argument?
Answer:
Section 53 of the Companies Act. 2013 stipulates that a company shall not issue shares a discount, except when an issue of sweat equity shares is made in compliance with section 54 of the Act. Any such issue of shares by a company at a discount shall be void.

Section 53(2A) however provides an exception to a company when its debt is converted into shares in pursuance of any statutory resolution plan or debt restructuring scheme in accordance with any guidelines or directions or regulations specified by the Reserve Bank of India under the RBI Act or the Banking (Regulation) Act, 1949.

In view of the above, as there is a proposal from Beta Ltd’s bankers for a conversion of total debt into equity shares of the company at a discount of 10% on the face value of such shares, the company can issue chares at a discount provided the conversion is in pursuance of a debt restructuring plan in accordance with the guidelines issued by the RBI. Accordingly, the company cannot sustain argument of prohibition under section 53 in view of the provision under section 53(2A) which exempts the above transaction.

Question 165.
X & Co. was incorporated in March 2018 as a One Person Company. During the financial year ending March 2019, the Company achieved a turnover of ₹ 5 Crore. Advise the Company as to whether there is any contravention of the provisions of the Act and if so, the Remedial action required.
Answer:
As per Rule 3(7) of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, no one person company (OPC) can convert voluntarily into any kind of company unless two years have expired from the date of incorporation of one person company, except when threshold limit (paid-up share capital) is increased beyond ₹ 50 lakhs or its average annual turnover during the relevant period exceeds ₹ 2 crores.

In terms of Rule 6 of the said Rules, where the average annual turnover of the company exceeds ₹ 2 crores, it shall cease to be entitled to continue as One Person Company. Such one person company shall within a period of 60 days from the date of applicability, give a notice to the Registrar in e-form INC-5 informing that it has ceased to be a one person company and that it is now required to convert itself into either a private company or a public company by virtue of its average annual turnover having exceeded the threshold limit.

Such one person company shall be required to convert itself, within six months from the last date of the relevant period during which its average annual turnover exceeds ₹ 2 crores, into either a private company with minimum of two members and two directors or a public company with at least seven members and three directors.

Rule 7A provides that where a one person company or any officer of such company contravenes any of the provisions of these rules, the one person company or any officer of such company shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees and with a further fine which may extend to five hundred rupees for every day after the first offence during which such contravention continues.

Accordingly, in terms of Rule 6 of the Companies (Incorporation) Rules, 2014, X & Co. OPC, needs to convert itself into a Private company or a Public company within a period of 6 months from the end of the Financial Year ended 31st March. 2019, failing which it shall be liable for penalty under Rule 7A of the said Rules.

Question 166.
Mahesh holds 75% of the equity share capital in Maximum Ltd. Infra Limited is an unlisted company in which Maximum Ltd. holds 15% equity stake. Explain the compliance requirements, if any, under the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owners) Rules 2018.
Answer:
Accordingly to Explanation I (i) to Rule 2(1 )(e) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Rules 2018, where the member is a company, the significant beneficial owner is the natural person, who. whether acting alone or together with other natural persons, or through one or more other persons or trusts, holds not less than ten per cent, share capital of the company or who exercises significant influence or control in the company through other means.

Every significant beneficial owner shall file a declaration in Form No. BEN-I to the company in which he holds the significant beneficial ownership on the date of commencement of these rules within ninety days from such commencement and within thirty days in case of any change in his significant beneficial ownership. [Rule 3]

Where any declaration under rule 3 is received by the company, it shall file a return in Form No. BEN-2 with the Registrar in respect of such declaration, within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of declaration by it, along with the fees as prescribed in companies (Registration offices and fees) Rules, 2014. [Rule 4] The company shall maintain a register of significant beneficial owners in Form No. BEN-3. [Rule 5]

Alternate Answer:
In terms of Explanation III (i)(a) Rule 2(h) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owners) Amendment Rules 2019, Mahesh. being a majority stake holder in Maximum Ltd, which in turn holds, 15% equity stake of Infra Ltd. shall be considered to be SBO for the shares of Infra Ltd held by Maximum Ltd. Therefore, Infra Ltd, being the reporting company has to comply with the following –

a. In terms of Rule 2A(1) of the Companies (Significant Beneficial Owner) Amendment Rules 2019, Infra Ltd should take necessary steps to identify, if there is any individual who is a Significant Beneficial Owner as defined u/s. 90(1) of the Act and cause him to file declaration in form BEN-1.

b. Further in terms of Rule 2A of the said Rules, Infra Ltd shall give notice in form BEN-4 to all its members (other than individuals) including Maximum Ltd who hold more than 10% equity stake, seeking information about the SBO and to every such person who, in the view of Infra Ltd is the SBO or has the information about the SBO,

c. If Infra Ltd doesn’t receives any response to the form BEN-4 sent to Maximum Ltd and any other non-individual member holding 10% or more equity stake, within the stipulated time or the information is insufficient, then Infra Ltd shall apply to the NCLT under Rule 7 of the said Rules to direct that restrictions shall apply in dealing with those shares.

d. If Infra Ltd does receives within the prescribed period, form BEN-1 from Mahesh, should within 30 days of receipt of such BEN-1 file a return of Significant Beneficial Owner in form BEN-2 to the Registrar. The company should maintain register of Significant Beneficial Owners in form BEN-3.

Question 167.
Rocking Infra Limited, a company engaged in the business of BOOT contracts of national highways is looking at raising funds for future projects by issue of redeemable preference shares. The Contract bid by the company generally yield flow back of funds over a period of 25 to 30 years and hence is looking at extended maturity period of 30 years. Is it feasible Further, the company, keeping in mind the funds generation in long-term infra projects, also wants to ensure that there are alternative solutions like roll-over, in case the company is forced to face a default in redeeming such preference shares. Advise.
Answer:
Section 55 of the Act provides that a company limited by shares may, if authorize by its articles, issue preference shares which are liable to be redeemed within a period not exceeding 20 years from the date of their issue subject to such conditions as may be prescribed. However, a company engaged in the setting up and dealing with infrastructure projects may issue preference shares for a period exceeding 20 years but not exceeding 30 years, subject to the redemption of a minimum of ten percentage of such preference shares per year from the 21st Year onwards or earlier on proportionate basis, at the option of the preference shareholders. Thus, Rocking Infra Ltd being engaged in Infrastructure projects, can issue redeemable preference shares for a period between 20 years to 30 years, subject to the compliance with the provisions of Section 55.

The section also provides for roll-over of the preference shares. Where a company is not in a position to redeem any preference shares to pay dividend, if any, on such shares in accordance with the terms of the issue, it may with the consent of the holders of three fourths in value of such preference shares and with the approval of NCLT on a petition made in this behalf, issue further redeemable preference shares equal to the amount due, including the dividend thereon in respect of the unredeemed preference shares and on the issue of such further redeemable shares, the unredeemed preference shares shall be deemed to have been redeemed. NCLT shall order the redemption forthwith of preference shares held by such persons who have not consented to the issue of further redeemable preference shares, in the above case.

Question 168.
(a) Discuss:
(i) Whether the Companies Act, 2013 bars filing of a joint application for compounding of offence by a defaulting company along with its officers in default?

(ii) Whether the Companies Act, 2013 bars filing of a joint application for compounding of the same offence committed in different years?

(iii) Whether an offence punishable under the relevant provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 with ‘imprisonment or fine’, if repeated within a period of three years results into a mandatory imprisonment for the defaulters and whether the same can be compounded or not?
Answer:
(i) The Companies Act, 2013 does not provides for any bar on filing of joint application for compounding of offence by a defaulting company along with its officers in default.
Section 441 (1) of the Companies Act, 2013 provides that any offence punishable under this Act whether committed by a company or any officer thereof not being an offence punishable with imprisonment only, or punishable with imprisonment and also with fine, may, either before or after the institution of any prosecution, be compounded by

  • the Tribunal; or
  • where the maximum amount of fine which may be imposed for such offence does not exceed twenty-five lakh rupees, by the Regional Director or any officer authorised by the Central Government.

(ii) In terms of the scheme envisaged section 441 of the Companies Act, 2013,- there is no bar on preferring a single application for compounding the same offence committed during different financial years by the company and its officers, nor there do any bar on a joint application being made by a company along with its officers in default. Procedures are deemed to be permitted unless expressly prohibited. (Rajendra Prasad Gupta vs. Prakash Chandra Mishra and Ors. AIR 2011 SC 1137).

In absence of any specific bar of joinder of parties or joining of separate cause of actions in preferring a compounding application, joining of parties for same offence is permitted. Facts leading to any non-compliance under the Act on part of the company and its officers in default will be same, any suggestion to the contrary will only lead to multiplication of proceedings and different findings, which is not desirable.

(iii) Section 451 of the Companies Act 2013 provides that if a company or an officer of a company commits an offence punishable either with fine or with imprisonment and where the same offence is committed for the second or subsequent occasions within a period of three years, then, that company and every officer thereof who is in default shall be punishable with twice the amount of fine for such offence in addition to any imprisonment provided for that offence.

However, according to section 441 (6) of the Companies Act, 2013 any offence which, is punishable with imprisonment only or with imprisonment and also with fine are not compoundable, but any offence which is punishable with imprisonment or fine, or with imprisonment or fine or with both, are compoundable.

Question 169.
The legal principle is that coercive recovery proceedings cannot be initiated against a sick company. Manmohan and Raj Kumar were guarantors to the loan obtained by a sick company. Recovery proceedings against them were initiated before the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT). They contended that recovery proceedings under the Recovery of Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 are to be treated as a suit and if the principal borrower is declared as a sick company, proceedings cannot lie or be continued against the guarantors. Will they succeed in getting protection under section 22A of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (SICA)? Give reasons in support of your answer.
Answer:
Supreme Court in the matter of KSL & Industries Ltd. v. Arkhangelsk Threads Ltd. & Others (2015) held that provisions of section 22 of the Sick Industrial Companies (Special Provisions) Act, 1985 (SICA) will prevail over section 34 of the Debts Due to Banks and Financial Institutions Act, 1993 and had reiterated the legal principle that coercive recovery proceedings could not be initiated against a sick company.

The problem is based on the decision of Division Bench of Delhi High Court in the case of Om Prakash Parasrampuria & Others v. Union of India & Others decided on 3.3. 2016.

The Delhi High Court had in the instant case held that the word ‘suit ‘cannot be understood in its broad and generic sense to include any action before a legal forum involving an adjudicatory process. If that were so, the legislature would have made the necessary provisions in section 22 of the SICA.

The term ‘suit’ would therefore apply to proceedings in a Civil Court and not actions for recovery proceedings filed by the banks and financial institutions before a Tribunal such as the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT). The proceedings against Manmohan and Raj kumar can continue.

Question 170.
ABC Limited is an unlisted public company, is part of ABC group of companies with its business ranging from paper to pharmaceutical manufacturing. The Company’s Pharmaceutical manufacturing division was under scanner of US Foods and Drug Administration (USFDA) and there were pending investigations against the said unit. As a part of its corporate restructuring, the Board of ABC Limited has decided to demerge its pharmaceutical manufacturing business to a new Company and merge another paper manufacturing Company with ABC Limited.

A Composite scheme of amalgamation was filed under section 230 of the i Companies Act, 2013 read with the rules thereunder. The National company Law Tribunal (NCLT) rejected the Company’s application on the ground that investigations are pending against the demerged unit. It the ground for rejection by NCLT justified? Answer:
The ground of rejection by NCLT is not justified. The present case is similar to the Case of Mel Windmills Pvt. Ltd. v. Mineral Enterprises Limited & Anr [NCLAT] Company Appeal (AT) No. 04 of 2019 [Decided on 27/05/2019] wherein the NCLT Bengaluru Bench declined to sanction the scheme of demerger on the ground that several issues were pending finalization and certain investigations were pending in relation to the business of the demerged company.

Reference Section: Section 230 of the Companies Act, 2013 Section 230(1) states that the Tribunal may, on the application of the company, order a meeting of the creditors or class of creditors, or of the members or class of members, as the case may be, to be called, held and conducted in such manner as the Tribunal directs.

As per Section 230 (2), the company or any other person, by whom an application is made under section 230(1), shall disclose to the Tribunal by ‘ affidavit all material facts relating to the company, such as the latest financial position of the company, the latest auditor’s report on the accounts of the company and the pendency of any investigation or proceedings against the company.

Thus, the Tribunal should have first ordered a meeting of creditors /members and if consent has been accorded in such meeting of creditors/members, then it can go into the merits of proposed scheme of demerger.

Question 171.
An appeal was filed by X, a minority shareholder against M/s XYZ & Sons Limited alleging oppression and mismanagement by majority shareholders. As per the shareholding pattern, X and another shareholder held less than 10% and the rest by shareholders who individually held more than 10%. The National Company Law Tribunal passed an Order, granting waiver in favour of X under proviso to Section 244(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 for the petition alleging oppression and mismanagement in the Company. An appeal was preferred against the said Order by M/s XYZ & Sons Limited.

Evaluate the validity of the appeal in the background of decided case law, if any.
Answer:
The validity of the appeal can be seen with the decision of Appellate Tribunal in Cyrus Investment Pvt. Ltd. & Anr. Versus Tata Sons Ltd. & Ors., 2017 SCC OnLine NCLAT261. In the said case the Appellate Tribunal held that while considering the application for waiver under Proviso to Sub-section (1) of Section 244 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Tribunal may look into the proposed petition under Section 241 and 242 but cannot take into consideration the merit of the said petition to decide the application for waiver. It is only in application where cases of exceptional circumstances is made out by one of the member having less than 10% of shareholding, the Tribunal may allow petition for waiver.

Normally, the following factors are required to be noticed by the Tribunal before forming its opinion as to whether the application merits ‘waiver’ of all or one or other requirement as specified in clauses (a) and (b) of sub-section (1) of Section 244:
(i) Whether the applicants are member(s) of the company in question₹ If the answer is in negative i.e. the applicant(s) are not member(s), the application is to be rejected outright, otherwise the Tribunal will look into the next factor.

(ii) Whether (proposed) application under Section 241 pertains to ‘oppression and mismanagement’₹ If the Tribunal on perusal- of proposed application under Section 241 forms opinion that the application does not relate to ‘oppression and mismanagement’ of the company or its members and/or is frivolous, it will reject the application for ‘waiver’. Otherwise, the Tribunal will proceed to notice the other factors.

(iii) Whether similar allegation of ‘oppression and mismanagement’, was earlier made by any other member and stand decided and concluded?

(iv) Whether there is an exceptional circumstance made out to grant ‘waiver’, so as to enable members to file application under Section 241, etc.

Accordingly, if the X is able to make out some exceptional case for waiver of requirements of the minimum shareholding, the company may not be able to sustain the appeal before NCLAT.

Multidisciplinary Case Studies CS Professional Notes

Risk Management – Insurance Law and Practice Important Questions

Risk Management – Insurance Law and Practice Important Questions

Write short notes on the following:
(i) Types of pure risk
(ii) Emergency risk management
Answer:
(i) Some types of pure risk pose a substantial threat to the Financial Security of both individuals and business firms. The major types of pure risk that are associated with great Financial and Economic insecurity include personal risks (risk of old age, risk of premature death; risk of unemployment; risk of poor health); property risks (Direct loss, indirect or consequential loss, natural disasters) and liability risks.
Answer:
(ii) Emergency risk management is a systematic process that produces a range of measures, Which contributes to the well being of communities and the environment. Disaster plans are in place in all emergency management areas throughout developed countries and were prepared using the hazard analysis process. The hazard analysis process concentrated on the causes, characteristics and affects of the hazard rather than the level of risk to a community.

The process sometimes overlooked three very important issues:

  1. Process Documentation,
  2. Planning,
  3. Stakeholder Consultation.

The ERM process provides a logical and systematic approach that will integrate combat and other agency-specific public safety programs (prevention, preparedness, response and recovery) at local district and state level.
The aim of the Emergency Risk Management process is:
To identify, analyze and evaluate risks with potential to require a significant and coordinated multi-agency response.

Question 2.
Write short notes on the following:
(iii) Personal risks (v) Emergency risk management
Answer:
(iii) Personal Risks
Personal Risks are those risks that directly affect an individual; they involve the possibility of the complete loss or reduction of earned income, extra expenses and the depletion of financial assets.

There are four major personal risks:

  1. Risk of old age.
  2. Risk of premature death.
  3. Risk of unemployment.
  4. Risk of poor health.

Question 3.
Write short notes on the following:
(iv) Risk management insurance.
Answer:
Risk management insurance:
Risk management can be defined as various alternatives concerning the management of pure risks. It is a discipline that provides for the systematic identification and analysis of loss exposures faced by the firm or organization, and for the best methods of handling these loss exposures in relation to the firm’s profitability. As a general rule, the risk manager is concerned only with the management of pure risks, not speculative risks. All pure risks are treated, including those that are uninsurable.

A successful risk management programme requires the cooperation of a large number of individuals and departments throughout the firm, and risk management decisions have a greater impact on the firm than insurance management decisions.
A firm or organization has several risk management objectives prior to the occurrence of a loss.

The most important of these includes the following:

  • Economy;
  • Reduction of anxiety; and
  • Meeting externally imposed obligations.

Question 4.
Write a short note on ‘Risk Retention’, as a risk management strategy. Should an insurance company opt for reinsurance or retention?
Answer:
Risk-retention is one of the methods of handling risk. An individual or a business firm may retain all or part of a given risk. Risk-retention can be either active or passive.

Active Risk Retention: Active risk retention means that an individual is consciously aware of the risk and deliberately plans to retain all or part of it. For example a motorist may wish to retain the risk of small collision loss by purchasing an own damage insurance policy with a 22000 voluntary excess.

A homeowner may retain a small part of the risk of damage to the house by purchasing a Householders policy with substantial voluntary excess. A business firm may deliberately retain the risk of petty thefts by employees, shoplifting or the spoilage of perishable goods.

In these cases, the individual or business firm makes a conscious decision to retain part or all of a given risk. There are benefits to active retention if the funds remain untouched and avoidable in the event the need for them arises.

Passive Risk Retention: Risk can also be retained passively. Certain risks may be unknowingly retained because of ignorance, indifference or laziness. This is often dangerous if a risk that is retained has the potential for destroying a person financially. For example, many persons with earned incomes are not insured against the risk of long term disability under either an individual or group disability income plan.

In summary risk retention can be extremely useful technique for handling risk, especially in a modern corporate risk management program. Risk-retention, however, is appropriate primarily for high frequency, low severity risks where potential losses are relatively small. Except under unusual circumstances, an individual should not use the technique of risk retention to retain low frequency, high severity risks such as the risk of catastrophic losses like earthquake and floods.

Reinsurance is when an insurance company will guard themselves against the risk of loss. Reinsurance in simpler terms is the insurance that is taken out by an insurance company. Since insurance companies provide protection against the risk of loss, insurance is a very risky business, and it is important that an insurance company has its own protection in place to avoid bankruptcy.

Through a reinsurance scheme, an insurance company is able to bring together or ‘pool’ its insurance policies and then divide up the risk among a number of insurance providers so that in the event that a large loss occurs this will be divided up throughout a number of firms, thereby saving the insurance company from large losses. The Insurance Company should prefer reinsurance over risk retention.

Question 5.
Distinguish between the following:
‘Morale hazard’ and ‘moral hazard’,
Answer:
‘Morale hazard’ and ‘moral hazard’:
Morale hazard refers to insured who are simply careless about protecting their property because the property is insured against loss. Moral hazard is more serious since it involves unethical or immoral behaviour by the insured who seek their own financial gain at the expense of the insurers and other policyholders.

Question 6.
Differentiate between risk, peril and hazard.
Answer:
Risk is part of every human endeavour From the moment we get up in the morning, drive or take public transportation to get to school or to work until we get back into our beds (and perhaps even afterwards), we are exposed to risks of different degrees. Risk is the potential of loss (an undesirable outcome, however not necessarily so) resulting from a given action, activity and/or inaction.

The notion implies that a choice having an influence on the outcome sometimes exists (or existed). Potential losses themselves may also be called “risks”. Any human endeavour carries some risk, but some are much riskier than others.

A peril is an event or circumstance that causes or may potentially cause a loss and give rise to risk. Examples of perils include fire, flooding, hailstorms, tornado, hurricane, auto accidents or home accidents such as falling.

A hazard is an action, condition, circumstance or situation that makes a peril more likely to occur or a loss more likely to be suffered as the result of a peril. Examples of hazards include dangerous behaviours, such as skydiving or base jumping, that increase the likelihood of injury.

A risk is simply the possibility of a loss, but a peril is a cause of loss. A hazard is a condition that increases the possibility of loss. For instance, fire is a peril because it causes losses, while a fireplace is a hazard because it increases the probability of loss from fire.

Flood is the peril and the proximity of the house to the river is the hazard. The peril is the prime cause; it is what will give rise to the loss. Often it is beyond the control of anyone who may be involved. In this way we can say that storm, fire, theft, motor accident and explosion are all perils. Thus, if a house burns because of a fire, the peril, or cause of loss, is the fire. If a car is totally destroyed in an accident with another motorist, accident (collision) is the peril or cause of loss. Some common perils that result in the loss or destruction of properly include fire, cyclone, storm, landslide.

Question 7.
‘Risk management and ‘Insurance management’,
Answer:
Risk management can be defined as various alternatives concerning the management of pure risks. It is a discipline that provides for the systematic identification and analysis of loss exposures faced by the firm or organisation, and for the best methods of handling these loss exposures in relation to the firm’s profitability.

Difference Between Risk Management and Insurance Management:
Risk management should not be confused with insurance management. Risk management is a much broader concept and differs from insurance management in several respects. First, risk management places greater emphasis on the identification and analysis of pure loss exposures. Second, insurance is only one of several methods that can be used to meet a particular loss exposure; as you will see, the techniques for meeting losses, not just insurance.

Finally, a successful risk management programme requires the cooperation of a large number of individuals and departments throughout the firm, and risk management decisions have a greater impact on the firm than insurance management decisions. Insurance management affects a smaller number of persons.

Risk Management Process in an Organisation:
In order to attain the preceding goals and objectives, the risk manager must perform certain functions. There are four basic functions of a risk manager.

  1. Identifying potential losses;
  2. Evaluating potential losses;
  3. Selecting the appropriate technique or combination of techniques for handling losses; and
  4. Administering the programme

Identifying Potential Losses:
The first function of a risk manager is to identify all pure loss exposures. This involves a painstaking identification of all potential losses to the firm.

The risk manager normally tries to identify six types of potential losses.

  1. Property losses
  2.  Business income losses
  3. Liability losses
  4. Death or disability of key persons
  5. Losses resulting from job-related injuries or disease; and
  6. Losses from fraud, criminal acts, and employee dishonesty.

Evaluating Potential Losses:
After the potential losses are identified, the next step is to evaluate and measure the impact of losses on the firm. This involves an estimation of the potential frequency and severity of loss. The risk manager must estimate the frequency and severity of loss for each type of loss exposure. The various loss exposures can then be ranked according to their relative importance.

Selecting the Appropriate Technique For Handling Loss:
After the frequency and severity of losses are estimated, the risk manager must then select the most appropriate technique, or combination of techniques, for handling each loss exposure.

They are as follows

  • Avoidance
  • Retention
  • Non-insurance transfers
  • Loss control; and
  • Insurance.

Administering the Risk Management Program:
The fourth and final function of the risk manager is the administration of risk management program. Common activities of the risk managers included loss exposure identification and measurement, arrangement of insurance handling claims, design and installation of employee benefit plans, participation in loss control measures, safety, group insurance, and self-insurance administration. A risk management policy statement is necessary in order to have effective administration of the risk management program.

This statement outlines the risk management objectives of the firm as well as company policy with respect to the treatment of loss exposures. It also educates top-level executives in regard to the risk management process, gives the risk manager greater authority in the firm, and provides standards for judging the risk manager’s performance. The risk management process involves the entire firm.

Other functional departments within the firms are extremely important in identifying pure loss exposures and methods for treating these empower. Indeed, without the active cooperation of the other departments, the risk management programme will be a failure.

Question 8.
low does ‘insurance’ differ from ‘hedging’?
Answer:
Though both Insurance and Hedging techniques are similar in that risk is transferred by a contract and no new risk is created, there are major differences between them which are as under:

Insurance Hedging
1. Insurance transactions involve transfer of insurable risk which can generally be met. 1. Hedging on the other hand is a technique of handling risks that are typically uninsurable, for example, protection against decline the price of agriculture products and raw materials. Which are speculative risks and not pure and insurable risks.
2. Insurance can reduce the risk of an insured by the law of large numbers. 2. Hedging risk typically involves only risk transfer, not risk reduction.
3. In an insurance contract, both the parties win if the loss does not occur. 3. Hedging contract, the risk of adverse price fluctuation is transferred to speculators who believe that they can make a profit because of superior knowledge of market conditions. Thus mere transfer of risk takes place, but no reduction.

Question 9.
Why the insurance is considered the most practical method for handling risk?
Answer:
For most individuals, the insurance is the most practical method for handling a major risk. Here, risk transfer is used since a pure risk is transferred to the insurer. Then the pooling technique is used to spread the losses of the few over the entire group so that average loss is substituted for actual loss finally, the risk may be reduced by application of the law of large numbers, whereby an insurer can predict future loss experience with some accuracy.

Question 10.
How is the need for insurance assessed by the risk manager?
Answer:
The risk manager must assess the insurance coverage’s that are needed. Since there may not be enough money in the insurance budget to insure all possible losses, the need for insurance can be divided into several categories depending upon the importance.

One useful approach is to classify the need for insurance into three categories:
Essential insurance:
It includes that coverage required by law or by contract, such as workers compensation insurance. Essential insurance also includes that coverage which will protect the firm against a catastrophic loss or a loss that threatens the firms survival.

Desirable insurance :
It is protection against that may cause the firm financial hardships, but not bankruptcy.

Available insurance:
It is coverage for small losses that do not disrupt the activities of the firm on a large scale.

Question 11.
Comment on the following:
(i) Only pure risks are insurable.
Answer:
(i) Only pure risks are insurable: The statement is correct. Pure risk is defined as a situation where there are only the possibilities of loss or no loss. Only pure risks are insurable as insurers don’t insure speculative risks.

Question 12.
Attempt the following:
(iii) What are the major advantages of retention technique in a risk management programme?
Answer:
Advantages of retention technique in a risk management programme
The retention technique in a risk management programme has the following
advantages:

  • Saves money: The firm can save money in the long run if its actual loss is less than the insurance premium.
  • Lower expenses: There may be sizable expenses saving, The firm may at a lower cost provide the services by the insurer. Some expenses may be reduced, including loss adjustment expenses, general administration expenses, etc.
  • Encourage loss prevention: Since the expenses are retained, there may be a greater incentive for loss prevention within the firm.
  • Increases cash flow: Cash flow may be increased by retention since the firm can use the funds that normally would be held by the insurer.

Question 13.
Attempt the following:
(ii) “The first function of a risk manager is to identify all pure loss exposures”. Explain.
Answer:
The first function of a risk manager is to identify all pure loss exposures. This involves a painstaking identification of all potential losses to the firm. Main task involved is the identification of sources of hazard to which the firm is exposed. This may be done by past record, thorough checklist of various perils or through physical inspection of the construction of the building, occupation of the building, process of manufacture therein and exposure points in the process.

The risk manager normally tries to identify six types of potential losses, viz. Property losses, Business income losses, liability losses, death or disability of key persons, losses relating to job-related injuries or diseases, losses from fraud, criminal acts and employee dishonesty. The risk manager has several sources of information that can be used to identify the major and minor loss exposures.

Question 14.
It is generally believed that an insurance contract wholly and fully handles and eliminates all ris.’.s. Do you agree with the statement? Discuss.
Answer:
One of the important components of management is planning and control and once a risk is identified and analysed, it is important to plan and adopt a suitable strategy for effective controlling. Risk planning and controlling is the stage that comes after the risk analysis process is over.

There are five types of handling and controlling risk and these are-

  1. Risk avoidance
  2. Risk-retention
  3. Risk transfer
  4. Loss control and
  5. Insurance

Of all the type stated above, Insurance is a type of risk financial or loss financing, which is used to guard against the risk of losses. Losses are guarded against by transferring the risk to another party through the payment of an insurance premium, as an incentive for bearing the risk. Insurance is a more commonly known concept that describes the act of guarding against risk.

An insured is the party who seeks to obtain an insurance policy while the insurer is the party that shares the risk for a paid price called an insurance premium. Yet, it is to be noted that an insurance cover does not wholly or fully handle or eliminates all risks. Insurance does not eliminate risk. It only compensated or indemnifies for the losses as per the policy conditions and provisions. Therefore, an the Insurance policy pays compensation only if a loss has occurred due to insured perils or insured risks and for insured properties.

Purchasing insurance, however, is not risk management. A thorough and thoughtful risk management plan is the commitment to prevent harm. Risk management also addresses many risks that are not insurable, including brand integrity, potential loss of tax-exempt status for volunteer groups, public goodwill and continuing donor support. Further Insurance is primarily concerned with risks that have a financially measurable outcome. But not all risks are capable of measurement in financial terms.

One example of a risk that is difficult to measure financially is the effect of bad publicity on a company-consequently this risk is very difficult to insure. However, this is a good point to stress how innovative some insurers are in that they are always looking for ways to provide new covers, which the customers want.

The difficult part is to be innovative and still make a profit. It is hence that the concept of insurance is only one of the methods of risk management and is practised in useful situations. It must be noted here that the Insurance contract covers only all pure risks and not speculative risks. Further, all risks Insurance policy covers all the risk, it is a myth. The fact is all policies are subject to certain exclusions.

Question 15.
Loss control is an important method in handling risk. What are its major objectives? Describe them briefly.
Answer:
Loss control is an important method for handling risk. It has two major objects:

  1. Loss prevention:
    Loss prevention aims at reducing the probability of loss so that frequency of losses are reduced, e.g. if you follow good health habits, watch your weight and give up smoking, the chances of heart attacks are minimized. Loss prevention is important for business of the enterprises as loss frequency can be reduced by enforcement of strong safety measures.
  2. Loss reduction:
    Loss reduction involves reduction in severity of loss. This can be achieved by installing sprinkler system in a warehouse which would help in speedy extinguishment of fire, installing perfect partition wall between two highly inflammable commodities, practising segregation and constructing of fire-resistant materials to minimize losses.

Question 16.
Why do insurers insure ‘pure risks’ only? Define ‘risk’ and distinguish between ‘pure risk’ and ‘speculative risk’.
Answer:
1. Pure (static) risk is a situation in which there are only the possibilities of loss or no loss. The only outcome of pure risks are adverse (in a loss) or neutral (with no loss) never beneficial. Examples of pure risks include premature death, occupational disability catastrophic medical expenses, and damage to property due to fire, lightning, or flood.

2. Insurance companies generally insure only pure risks through their commercial, personal and liability insurance policies, since the law of large numbers can be applied more easily to pure risks than to speculative risks. The law of large numbers is important in insurance because it enables insurers to predict loss figures in advance.

3. Risk is the potential of loss (an undesirable outcome, however not necessarily so) resulting from a given action, activity and/or inaction. The notion implies that a choice having an influence on the outcome sometimes exists (or existed). Potential losses themselves may also be j called “risks”. Any human endeavour carries some risk, but some are much riskier than others.

4. Pure (static) risk is a situation in which there are only the possibilities of loss or no loss, as oppose to loss or profit with speculative risk.

5. Speculative (dynamic) risk is a situation in which either profit or loss is possible. Examples of speculative risks are betting on a horse race, investing in stocks, bonds and real estate. In Business, the decision to venture into a new market, purchase new equipment’s, diversify on the existing product line, expand or contract areas of operations, commit more to advertise, borrow additional capital, etc., carry risks which are inherent to the business. Speculative risk is uninsurable.

6. Society as a whole may benefit from a speculative risk even though a loss occurs, but it is harmed if a pure risk is present and a loss occurs. Therefore, the insurances insure only pure risks.

Question 17.
“Risk is inherent in nature.” Discuss the different categories of risks encountered by Insurance companies.
As a Compliance official, how would you ensure Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) requirements by Companies as a part of Enterprise Risk Management?
Answer:
(a) Investing in the insurance business can be a daunting task if you are a newbie to start with. There are certain insurance risks that have affected this industry and the failure to do something to avert the risk can be detrimental to the success of your insurance company.

6 Common Risks faced by insurance Companies Some common types of Insurance Risks are given below:
1. Liquidity Risk
Liquidity is the ease in which business assets can be converted into cash. This is an important aspect of consideration for success in an insurance company. Liquidity risks may arise due to a large number of claims in general insurance and a large surrender of policies in life insurance. This may lead to a loss of the company property in case when the company may not be able to raise the required cash.

2. Actuarial Risks
Actual studies deal with the study of risks and quantifying the amount of compensation according to each risk. Actuarial risks may be caused by different factors such as mortality rate variance, perils and certain other variance. Calculation’s of the given risks may be subjected to a variety of adjustments.

One may consider current statistical data, some past experience and future possibilities but it is to be noted that in the future, there may be a great variance in the speculated and the amount of the risk.

3. Reputation Risks
Reputation risks are faced when an insurance company has lost value in the insurance market. This has a great impact on the amount of revenue which will be raised by the insurance company. In the short run, it may not be an easy task to quantify the exact value caused by the reputation risks but adverse results may pop up during auditing. In extreme cases, reputation risks may lead to bankruptcy also.

4. Business Risks
Business risks that are faced by the insurance company are just the normal risks faced by many other businesses. Risks ranging from data breaches have resulted in a loss of the great amount of relevant data in the insurance industry. Other related business insurance risks include human capital loss, loss of damage and some of the relevant professional service mistakes that may be relevant. There is a lot to do when faced with these risks. A lot of professionalism is required to handle these risks, especially in the insurance industry.

5. Strategic Risks
Strategic risks in the insurance sector require excellent strategic management skills to avert such risks. Strategic risks involve the process of identification, assessing and the management of the insurance strategy.

6. Underwriting insurance Risks
Underwritings of risks results from the process of selection and approval of the risks that need to be insured. Insurance risks may also be caused by the use of an inflexible underwriting process of
risks. The process of underwriting forms the basis of insurance and the failure to get it right at this step may result in great loses in the future.

7. Insurance Risks (Pricing and Product Line Profit)
The risk arising from the exposure to financial loss from transacting insurance and/or annuity business where costs and liabilities experienced in respect of a product line exceeds the expectation in pricing the product line. Newer product lines experience losses due to the high expenses of operating an under-scale business.

Insurers are always worried about their pricing and profitability, and the market price is not always correct. There is a persisting temptation to label a jump in claims as a temporary aberration or to cut rates to increase sales. Pricing and product-line profit issues are predominantly a higher-frequency and lower-severity risk.

(b) ‘Risk, in insurance terms, is the possibility of a loss or other adverse event that has the potential to interfere with an organization’s ability to fulfil its mandate, and for which an insurance claim may be submitted. On the other hand, risk management ensures that an organization identifies and understands the risks to which it is exposed.

Risk management also guarantees that the organization creates and implements an effective plan to prevent losses or reduce the impact of loss. A risk management plan includes strategies and techniques for recognizing and confronting these threats. Good risk management doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming;
it may be as uncomplicated as answering these three questions:

  • What can go wrong?
  • What will we do, both to prevent the harm from occurring and in response to the harm or loss?
  • If something happens, how we will pay for it?

An effective risk management practice does not eliminate risks. However, having an effective and operational risk management practice shows an insurer that your organization is committed to loss reduction or prevention. It makes your organization a better risk to insure.

The essence of risk management policy of any corporate is to be innovative and still make a profit. The Enterprise Risk management policy essentially aims at solvency protection of a company. The supervisor or IRDAI in India establishes enterprise risk management requirements for solvency purposes that require insurers to address all relevant and material risks.

The supervisor establishes enterprise risk management requirements for solvency purposes that require insurers to address all relevant and material risks. The supervisor requires the insurer’s enterprise risk management framework to provide for the identification and quantification of risk under a sufficiently wide range of outcomes using techniques which are appropriate to the nature, scale and complexity of the risks the insurer bears and adequate for risk and capital management and for solvency purposes.

As a Compliance Officer, it would be right on every Company Secretary to ensure the following:
Documentation of enterprise risk management framework:
The supervisor requires the insurer’s measurement of risk to be supported by accurate documentation providing detailed descriptions and explanations of the risks covered, the measurement approaches used and the key assumptions made.

Risk Management policy covered under the enterprise risk management:
The supervisor requires the insurer to have a risk management policy which outlines how all relevant and material categories of risk are managed, both in the insurer’s business strategy and its day-to-day operations. The supervisor requires the insurer to have a risk management policy which describes the relationship between the insurer’s tolerance limits, regulatory capital requirements, economic capital and the processes and methods for monitoring risk.

As per Regulatory compliance, every company should have the following policies in place namely:
(i) ALM Policy:
The supervisor requires the insurer to have a risk management policy which includes an explicit asset-liability management (ALM) policy which clearly specifies the nature, role and extent of ALM activities and their relationship with product development, pricing functions and investment management.

(ii) Investment Policy:
The supervisor requires the insurer to have a risk management policy which is reflected in an explicit investment policy which specifies the nature, role and extent of the insurer’s investment activities and how the insurer complies with the regulatory investment requirements established by the supervisor and establishes explicit risk management procedures within its investment policy with regard to more complex and less transparent classes of asset and investment in markets or instruments that are subject to less governance or regulation.

(iii) ORSA Policy:
The supervisor requires the insurer to perform its own risk and solvency assessment (ORSA) regularly to assess the adequacy of its risk management to ascertain this current, and future solvency position. The supervisor requires the insurer’s Board and Senior Management to be responsible for the ORSA.

According to the ORSA manual, there are a minimum of five key principles that a robust ERM framework should encompass. Risk Culture and Governance Roles and responsibilities need to be well defined and within the organization, a culture should be nurtured that supports accountability in risk making decisions.

Risk Identification and Prioritization:
Clear management of the risk identification process is essential and responsibility for this process must be clear. You need to ensure these procedures are operating effectively throughout your organization. Putting the right risk assessment process in place through the use of ERM software can help tremendously.

Risk Appetite, Tolerance and Limits:
To ensure that the risk strategy of the Board of Directors is made clear, a formal Risk Appetite Statement needs to be written and detailing associated risk tolerance and limits.

Risk Management and Controls:
Throughout your organization, ERM should operate to ensure risk is kept within the boundaries defined by the Risk Appetite Statement.

Risk Reporting and Communication:
To ensure transparency of the risk management processes your key personnel require strong reporting and communication procedures. However, your organization should ensure that this does not impede active, informal management decisions on risk-taking.

CS Professional Insurance Law and Practice Notes

Documentation – Corporate Funding and Listings in Stock Exchanges Important Questions

Documentation – Corporate Funding and Listings in Stock Exchanges Important Questions

Question 1.
Write short notes on the following:
Preferential offer
Answer:
‘Preferential Offer’ means an issue of “shares or other securities” by a company to any select person or group of persons on a preferential basis and does not include shares or other securities offered through a public issue, rights issue, employee stock option scheme, employee stock purchase scheme or an issue of sweat equity shares or bonus shares or depository receipts issued in a country outside India or foreign securities as per Rule 13 of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014.

[Explanation: The expression, “shares or other securities” means equity shares, fully convertible debentures, partly convertible debentures or any other securities, which would be convertible into or exchanged with equity shares at a later date.]

Question 2.
Critically examine and comment on the following:
The preferential allotment made to any person shall be locked-in for a period of two years.
Answer:
In accordance to Regulation 167 of SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018:
The specified securities, allotted on a preferential basis to the promoters or promoter group and the equity shares allotted pursuant to exercise of options attached to warrants issued on a preferential basis to the promoters or the promoter group shall be locked-in for a period of three years from the date of trading approval granted for the specified securities or equity shares allotted pursuant, to exercise of the option attached to warrant, as the case may be:

Provided that not more than twenty per cent, of the total capital of the issuer shall be locked-in for three years from the date of trading approval:

Provided further that equity shares allotted in excess of the twenty per cent, shall be locked-in for one year from the date of trading approval pursuant to exercise of options or otherwise, as the case may be:

Provided further that in case of convertible securities or warrants which are not listed on stock exchanges such securities shall be locked in for a period of one year from the date of allotment.

The specified securities allotted on a preferential basis to persons other than the promoters and promoter group and the equity shares allotted pursuant to exercise of options attached to warrants issued on preferential basis to such persons shall be locked-in for a period of one year from the date of trading approval:

Provided that in case of convertible securities or warrants which are not listed on stock exchanges, such securities shall be locked in for a period of one year from the date of allotment.

Question 3.
As per the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2009, what are the conditions for preferential issue of specified securities by listed issuer?
Answer:
Conditions for Preferential Issue of specified securities by listed issuer as per provisions of SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018:
A listed issuer may make a preferential issue of specified securities, if:

  • all equity shares allotted by way of preferential issue shall be made fully paid up at the time of the allotment;
  • a special resolution has been passed by its shareholders;
  • all the equity shares, if any, held by the proposed allottees in the issuer are in dematerialised form;
  • the issuer is in compliance with the conditions for continuous listing of equity shares as specified in the listing agreement with the recognised stock exchange where the equity shares of the issuer are listed, SEBI Listing Regulations, 2015 as amended, and any circular or notifications issued by SEBI thereunder;
  • the issuer has obtained the Permanent Account Number (PAN) of the proposed allottees.

Note: Answer is in accordance to SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018 not as per SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2009.

Question 4.
ABC is a company intending to issue Preferential Shares to Rakesh Bansal. List out the Pre-Issue formalities for this Preferential Issue.
Answer:
Following are the Pre-Issue formalities for the Preferential Issue:

1. Certified copy of the resolution passed by the Board of Directors of the company for the proposed preferential issue.

2. Printed copy of notice of AGM/EGM.

3. (I) Where allotment is for consideration other than cash:

  • Certified copy of valuation report.
  • Certified copy of Shareholders Agreements.
  • Certified copy of approval letters from FIPB and RBI if applicable.

(II) Pursuant to CDR Scheme/Order of High Court/BIFR: Certified copy of relevant scheme/order.
(III) Pursuant to conversion of loan of financial institutions: Certified copy of the Loan Agreement executed by the company.

4. Brief particulars of the proposed preferential issue.

5. In case if the prior holding of the allottee is under pledge with banks/ financial institution(s), company needs to provide an undertaking/ confirmations from the banks/financial institutions, company and allottee(s).

6. Confirmation by the Managing Director/Company Secretary.

7. Certificate from Statutory Auditors/Practicing Chartered Accountant/ Practicing Company Secretary.

8. Pricing certificate by Statutory Auditor/Practicing Chartered Accountant/Practicing Company Secretary. Further, in case the securities of the company are infrequently traded pricing certificate as prescribed under the SEBI (ICDR) Regulation, 2018.

9. Non-refundable processing fees.

Question 5.
(a) What is ‘preferential offer’ according to Rule 13 of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014?
Answer:
‘Preferential Offer’ means an issue of “shares or other securities” by a company to any select person or group of persons on a preferential basis and does not include shares or other securities offered through a public issue, rights issue, employee stock option scheme, employee stock purchase scheme or an issue of sweat equity shares or bonus shares or depository receipts issued in a country outside India or foreign securities as per Rule 13 of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014.

[Explanation: The expression, “shares or other securities” means equity shares, fully convertible debentures, partly convertible debentures or any other securities, which would be convertible into or exchanged with equity shares at a later date.]

(b) Madhav Ltd. makes preferential offer of securities for consideration other than cash. How is such consideration valued?
Answer:
According to the Section 42 and Section 62 read with rule 13(2)(i) of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014, where shares or other securities are to be allotted for consideration other than cash, the valuation of such consideration shall be done by a registered valuer who shall submit a valuation report to the company giving justification for the valuation.

(c) Prakash Ltd. makes preferential offer of Shares for consideration other than cash. Name the two methods by which this non-cash consideration is treated in the books of account of Prakash Ltd.
Answer:
As per rule 13(2)(j) of the Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014: Where the preferential offer of shares is made for a non-cash consideration. Such non-cash consideration shall be treated in the following manner in the books of account of the company:

  • where the non-cash consideration takes the form of a depreciable or amortizable asset it shall be carried to the balance sheet of the company in accordance with the accounting standards; or
  • where clause above is not applicable it shall be expensed as provided in the accounting standards.

Question 6.
Raj Mani Handlooms Ltd., an unlisted Public Company, having paid- up Capital of ₹ 18 Crore, has seven members. Shri Raj and Shri Mani are promoters of the Company and their aggregate holding in the paid up Capital is 95%. Now the promoters want to invest 2 Crore more in the paid up Capital. On 30th March, 2017, the Company has received ₹ 1 Crore each from promoters through RTGS as advance share capital money. Discuss – Whether it is mandatory for the company to make a right issue to implement the capital raising programme? Can the company use the share capital advance prior to completing the allotment of shares? State whether it is mandatory to determine fair price of shares if a preferential allotment were to be made to Promoters alone?
Answer:
In case of an allotment by way of private placement of shares, the proviso under section 42(6) states that the money received with share application should not be utilised except for adjustment against allotment of securities or for refund arising from failure to allot securities. However, such a provision does not apply to Rights issue.

If the company plans a preferential allotment of shares or a private placement of shares, the amount received by way of share application money cannot be utilised prior to allotment and in case the shares are not allotted, the money has to be returned.

For the purpose of issuing securities on a preferential allotment basis to the promoters alone it is mandatory that the fair price of the shares must be determined.

Referring to the above mentioned provisions as per the facts of the case scenario, it can be said that, it is not mandatory for company to make right issue to implement the capital raising programme.

Also, the company may go for the other method of the capital raising like preferential allotment, private placement.

Question 7.
The Board of Directors of National Food Corporation Ltd., a listed company decides to go for issue of shares through the Employees Stock Option Scheme (ESOS). As a professional, the Board has asked you to draft a due diligence check-list on the following issues:
i. Eligibility to participate in the scheme,
ii. Shareholders’ approval; and
iii. Pricing and lock-in period.
Answer:
(i) Eligibility to Participate in the scheme:
An employee is eligible to participate in Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOS) of the company (It may be noted that where such employee is a director nominated by an institution as its representative on the Board of Directors of the company):

(A) The contract/agreement entered into between the institution nominating its employee as the director of a company and the director so appointed shall, inter alia, specify the following:

  • whether options granted by the company under its ESOS can be accepted by the said employee in his capacity as director of the company;
  • that options, if granted to the director, shall not be renounced in favour of the nominating institution; and
  • the conditions subject to which fees, commissions, ESOS, other incentives, etc. can be accepted by the director from the company.

(B) The institution nominating its employee as a director of a company shall file a copy of the contract/agreement with the said company, which shall, in turn, file the copy with all the stock exchanges on which its shares are listed.

(C) The director so appointed shall furnish a copy of the contract/agreement at the first Board meeting of the company attended by him after his nomination.

(ii) Shareholders approval:
Check that the approval of shareholders of the company has been obtained by passing a special resolution in general meeting.

Check that the explanatory statement to the notice and the resolution proposed to be passed in general meeting for scheme containing the following information has also been sent:

  • the total number of options to be granted;
  • identification of classes of employees entitled to participate in the scheme;
  • requirements of vesting and period of vesting;
  • maximum period within which the option shall be vested;
  • exercise price or pricing formula;
  • exercise period and process of exercise;
  • the appraisal process for determining the eligibility of employees to the scheme;
  • maximum number of options to be issued per employee and in aggregate;
  • a statement to the effect that the company shall conform to the accounting policies specified by SEBI in regard to ESOS;
  • the method which the company uses to value its options, ie., whether fair value or intrinsic value.
  • in case the company calculates the employees compensation cost using the intrinsic value of the stock options, the difference between the employees compensation cost so computed and employee compensation cost that shall have been recognized, if it had used the fair value of the options, shall be disclosed in the directors report and also the impact of this difference on profits and on EPS of the company shall be disclosed in directors report.

Check that approval of shareholders by way of a separate resolution in the general meeting has been obtained by company in case of:

  • grant of option to employees of subsidiary or holding company and
  • grant of option to identified employees, during any one year, equal to or exceeding 1% of the issued capital (excluding outstanding warrants and conversions) of the company at the time of grant of option.

(iii) Pricing and lock in period:
→ The companies granting option to its employees pursuant to the scheme have the freedom to determine the exercise price subject to adherence to the accounting policies.

→ In case the company calculates the employee compensation cost using the intrinsic value of the stock options, the difference between the employee compensation cost so computed and the employee com-pensation cost that shall have been recognized if it had used the fair value of the options, is required to be disclosed in the Director’s Report and also the impact of this difference on profits and on Earnings per Share of the company shall also be disclosed in the Director’s Report.

→ Check that there exists a minimum period of one year between the grant of options and vesting of option. Also ensure that, in the case where options are granted by a company under an ESOS in lieu of options held by the same person under an ESOS in another company which has merged or amalgamated with the first mentioned company, the period during which the options granted by the transferor company were held by him shall be adjusted against the minimum vesting period required under this clause.

→ The company has the freedom to specify the lock-in-period for the shares issued pursuant to exercise of option.

→ Check that the employee does not have the right to receive any dividend or to vote or in any manner enjoys the benefits of a shareholder in respect of option granted to him till shares are issued on exercise of option.

Question 8.
Narendra has applied for shares under the Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOS) and his option was granted by the company. Now he wants to transfer his option to his friend Neeraj. Comment on check points for non-transferability of option under the ESOS.
Answer:
In the given ease, Narendra has applied for shares under the Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOS) and his option was granted by the company. He wants to transfer his option to his friend Neeraj.

Following are check points for non-transferability of option under the ESOS:

→ Check that option granted to an employee is not transferable to any person.

→ No person other than the employee to whom the option is granted shall be entitled to exercise the option.

Under the cash less system of exercise, the company may itself fund or permit the empanelled stock brokers to fund the payment of exercise price which shall be adjusted against the sale proceeds of some or all the shares.

→ Check that the option granted to the employee is not pledged, hypoth-ecated, mortgaged or otherwise alienated in any other manner. Check that in the event of the death of employee while in employment, all the options granted to him till such date are vested in the legal heirs or nominees of the deceased employee.

→ Check that in case the employee suffers a permanent incapacity while in employment, all the option granted to him as on the date of permanent incapacitation, shall vest in him on that day.

→ Check that if an employee resigns or is terminated, all options not vested as on that day expire. However, the employee shall subject to the terms and conditions formulated by compensation committee be entitled to retain all the vested options.

→ Check that the options granted to a director, who is an employee of an institution and has been nominated by the said institution, has not been renounced in favour of institution nominating him.

Question 9.
Swadesh has applied for shares under employees stock option scheme (ESOS) and his option was granted by the company. Now, Swadesh wants to transfer his option to his friend Vinod. Comment on the check points for non-transferability of option under ESOS.
Answer:
In the given case, swadesh has applied for shares under Employees Stock Option Scheme (ESOS) and his option was granted by the company. Also, Swadesh wants to transfer his option to his friend Vinod.

Following are check points for non-transferability of option under the ESOS:
→ Check that option granted to an employee is not transferable to any person.

→ No person other than the employee to whom the option is granted shall be entitled to exercise the option.

Under the cash less system of exercise, the company may itself fund or permit the empanelled stock brokers to fund the payment of exercise price which shall be adjusted against the sale proceeds of some or all the shares.

→ Check that the option granted to the employee is not pledged, hypothecated, mortgaged or otherwise alienated in any other manner.

→ Check that in the event of the death of employee while in employment, all the options granted to him till such date are vested in the legal heirs or nominees of the deceased employee.

→ Check that in case the employee suffers a permanent incapacity while in employment, all the option granted to him as on the date of perma-nent incapacitation, shall vest in him on that day.

→ Check that if an employee resigns or is terminated, all options not vested as on that day expire. However, the employee shall subject to the terms and conditions formulated by compensation committee be entitled to retain all the vested options.

→ Check that the options granted to a director, who is an employee of an institution and has been nominated by the said institution, has not been renounced in favour of institution nominating him.

Question 10.
Mini Ltd., a listed company, comes out with issue of shares through ESOS. As a Company Secretary, how would you deal with the following issues:
(i) Suresh is an employee on contract basis. His contract is renewed every year. Can he participate in ESOS?
(ii) Lakshya, an employee, is granted option under ESOS by the company. He writes a letter to his friend Mukesh for transferring the offer. But he dies. With whom will the option vest?
(iii) Akhil, a director and his wife Beena together hold more than 15% of the equity shares of the company. Can the director Akhil participate in ESOS?
(iv) The ESOS in Mini Ltd. is a part of public issue and the shares are issued to employees at the same price as in the public issue. What is the duration of the lock-in period to which these shares are subject to?
(v) Anil has acquired shares under ESOS in Simi Ltd. Now, Mini Ltd. acquires Simi Ltd. fully. Mini Ltd. allots shares to Anil .in lieu of shares which he has under ESOS in Simi Ltd. In Simi Ltd., he has undergone S’Months of lock-in period. How many minimum months of lock-in period he has to undergo in Mini Ltd.?
Answer:
As a Company Secretaries opinion on following issues are as follows:
i. A person eligible to participate in the ESOS must be a Permanent employee of the company. As per the facts of case, Suresh is not a permanent employee of Mini Ltd.
Thus, he cannot participate in ESOS.

ii. As the option granted to an employee shall not be transferable to any person. No person other than the employee to whom the option is granted shall be entitled to exercise the option.
As per the above discussed provisions writing a letter by Lakshya to his friend Mukesh for transferring the offer is not a valid. Also, in case of the death of the employee to whom option is granted, his legal heir inherits the rights.

iii. If a director who either by himself or through his relative or through any body corporate, directly or indirectly holds more than 10% of the outstanding equity shares of the company shall not be eligible to participate in the ESOS.

As per facts of the case, Akhil along with his wife Beena together holds more than 15% of the equity share.
Thus, he is not eligible to participate in ESOS.

iv. If ESOS is a part of the public issue and the shares are issued to em-ployees at the same price as in the public issue, the shares issued to employees are not subject to any lock in period.
Thus, in this case the lock in period is zero.

v. There shall be a minimum period of one year between the grant of options and vesting of option. However, in a case where options are granted by a company under an ESOS in lieu of options held by the same person under an ESOS in another company which has merged or amalgamated with the first mentioned company, the period during which the options granted by the transferor company were held by him shall be adjusted against the minimum vesting period required under this clause. In given case, the lock in period already undergone is 5 Months.

Thus, Anil has to undergo a minimum 7 months of Lock in Period in Mini Ltd.

Question 11.
Distinguish between the following:
Initial Public offering’ and ‘Further public offering’
Answer:
Difference between ‘Initial Public offering’ and ‘Further public offering’:
‘Initial Public offering’ (IPO) means an offer of specified securities by an unlisted issue to the public for subscription and includes an offer for sale of specified securities to the public by any existing holders of such securities in an unlisted issuer.

‘Further public offering’ (FPO) is when an already listed company makes either a fresh issue of securities to the public or an offer for sale to the public, through an offer document. An offer for sale in such scenario is allowed only if it is made to satisfy listing or continuous listing obligations.

Question 12.
Distinguish between the following:
‘Right Issue’ and ‘private placement’
Answer:
Difference between ‘Right Issue’ and ‘Private Placement’:

1. ‘Right Issue’:
When a company issues additional equity capital, it has to be offered in the first instance to the existing shareholders on a pro-rata basis.

When a company proposes to issue its shares to its existing shareholders, it is called a rights issue. The company announces a record date and shareholders of the company on that date get a right to subscribe to the rights issue. These rights are also called “rights entitlement”. The shareholders can also renounce their rights.

The company sends a letter of offer to its shareholders, which mentions all details relevant to rights issues.

The shares allotted to shareholders are proportional to their existing stake in the company.

EXAMPLE: If you currently hold one per cent of company’s equity and the company is offering 1000shares in a Rights Issue. In this case you have the right to buy one per cent of 1000 shares i.e. 10 shares.

2. ‘Private Placement’:
“Private Placement” means any offer or invitation to subscribe or issue of securities to a selected group of persons by a company (other than by way of public offer) through private placement offer-cum-application which satisfies the conditions specified in Section 42 of Companies Act, 2013.

When a company issues shares to a select group of investors, instead of inviting public at large, it is called private placement of shares. It falls neither in the category of a public issue, nor a rights issue. It is a faster way of raising capital, as a company has to comply with fewer requirements.

Question 13.
Enumerate any five common restrictions for issuers in case of public and rights issues.
Answer:
No issuer shall make a public issue or rights issue of specified securities:
→ If the issuer or any of its promoters, promoter group or directors or persons in control of the issuer are debarred from accessing the capital market by the Board.

→ If any of the promoters, directors or persons in control of the issuer was or also is a promoter, director or person in control of any other company which is debarred from accessing the capital market under any order or directions made by the Board.

→ If the issuer of convertible debt instruments is in the list of wilful defaulters published by the Reserve Bank of India or it is in default of payment of interest or repayment of principal amount in respect of debt instruments issued by it to the public, if any for a period of more than 6 months.

→ Except it has made an application to one or more recognised stock exchanges for listing of specified securities on such stock exchanges and has chosen one of them as the designated stock exchange.

However, in case of an initial public offer, the issuer shall make an application for listing of the specified securities in at least one recognised stock exchange having nationwide trading terminals.

→ Except it has entered into an agreement with a depository for dematerialisation of specified securities already issued or proposed to be issued.

Question 14.
Company Secretary of a listed company, in addition to Board meetings and other related documentation and filing formalities, is expected to do certain activities relating to securities laws and compliances. State those activities.
Answer:
Company Secretary of a listed company, in addition to Board Meeting and other documentation and filing formalities are expected to do the certain activities relating to securities laws and compliances. The following are the few of the main activities:

  • Compliance with SEBI and Listing Agreement.
  • Publication of financial results.
  • Intimations and disclosures to stock exchanges and SEBI. Implementation of Employee Stock Option plans, if any.
  • Cautious about takeovers.
  • Continuous watch on stock price movements.
  • Watch on insider trading.
  • Taking steps to prevent money laundering activities.
  • Carrying out necessary certifications required by stock exchanges as compliance officer of the company.

Question 15.
As a Company Secretary of Kairer Ltd., state the special points to be checked by you in the matter of issue of foreign currency convertible bonds by the company.
Answer:
As a Company Secretary of Kairer Ltd., the following point should be verified in the matter of issue of Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB):

  • Check if the fresh FCCBs is raised with the stipulated average maturity period and applicable all in cost being as per the ECB guidelines.
  • Check the amount of fr.esh FCCB shall not exceed the outstanding redemption value at maturity on the outstanding FCCBs.
  • Check the fresh FCCB shall not be raised 6 months prior to the maturity date of outstanding.
  • Check FCCB beyond USD500 million for the purpose if redemption of the existing FCCB will be considered under the approval route.
  • Check the proposed of buyback/pre-payment if FCCB from Indian Companies may be considered subject to condition that buy back value of FCCB shall be at a minimum discount of 5% on the accreted value.

Question 16.
Describe the Compliances under institutional placement programme to be furnished by a Company Secretary.
Answer:
The Compliances under Institutional Placement Programme (IPP) to be furnished by a Company Secretary is as follows:

  • Check the certified copy of special resolution passed in the general meeting approving the Institutional Placement Programme and form MGT 14 filed with ROC.
  • Check the issuer has obtained in-principle approval from the stock exchange(s).
  • Check appointment of SEBI registered merchant banker by Issuer to manage the IPP.
  • Check the copy of the due diligence certificate submitted to SEBI with respect to the IPP.
  • Check that in case of over subscription allotment of not more than ten per cent of the offer size has been made by the eligible seller

Question 17.
What are the documents required to be prepared by the company secretary for listing approval for Bonus Shares issued by the company for documentation purpose?
Answer:
The following documents are required to be prepared by the Company Secretary for listing approval for Bonus equity shares issued by the Company:

  • Letter of Application (ie. by listed companies applying for listing of further issue) duly completed.
  • Certified true copy of the Board resolution in which the equity shares were allotted.
  • Brief particular of the new securities issued.
  • Shareholding Pattern as per the format prescribed under Regulation 31 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements), Regulations, 2015 giving details pre and post allotment of bonus shares.
  • CertificatefromStatutoryAuditors/PracticingCharteredAccountant/Practicing Company Secretary to the effect that the SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018 for bonus issue has been complied with.
  • Confirmation by the Managing Director/Company Secretary.
  • Details of further listing/processing fee remitted.

Question 18.
Tej Speed Ltd., an unlisted public company, has issued bonus shares in the ratio 2:1. You are required to prepare a check-list to confirm that every requirement has been fulfilled. Further, if the company is a listed company, what are the additional requirements which are required to be met?
Answer:
Following Provisions to be included in the checklist of Tej Speed Ltd., an unlisted public company to confirm that every requirement has been fulfilled:

In accordance to Section 63 of the Companies Act, 2013, a company may issue fully paid-up bonus shares to its members, in any manner whatsoever out of:

  • its free reserves;
  • the securities premium account; or
  • the capital redemption reserve account.

The section specifically clarifies that no issue of bonus shares shall be made by capitalising reserves created by the revaluation of assets. The bonus shares shall not be issued in lieu of dividend.

No company shall issue fully paid-up bonus shares unless:

  • it is authorized by its articles;
  • it has on the recommendation of the Board, been authorized in the general meeting of the company;
  • it has not defaulted in payment of interest or principal in respect of fixed deposits or debt securities issued by it;
  • it has not defaulted in respect of the payment of statutory dues of the employees, such as, contribution to provident fund, gratuity and bonus;
  • the partly paid-up shares, if any outstanding on the date of allotment, are made fully paid-up;
  • it complies with such conditions as may be prescribed.

Additional Requirement: No company which has once announced the decision of its Board recommending a bonus issue can subsequently withdraw the same.

Question 19.
Discuss the post issue formalities to be completed by the company secretary for Rights issue of equity shares for listing purpose.
Answer:
The following are the post issue formalities to be completed by the Company Secretary for Rights Issue of equity shares for listing purpose. The Company has to finalise the basis of allotment, and submit the documents as under, within 10 days from closure of the issue:

  • Bid data of Exchanges other than the designated stock exchange.
  • All rejections application along with Summary statement (1 set pho-tocopy to be submitted).
  • Certified copies of all Bank final certificates (ASBA & NON ASBA).
  • Minutes of Basis of allotment duly signed by all the Lead Manager, Registrar and the Company.
  • Basis of allotment sheet for each category.
  • Round summary in case of over subscription, in hard as well as soft format.
  • Copy of post issue initial monitoring report filed with SEBI (3 day monitoring report).
  • Undertaking from Lead Manager, Company and the Registrar.
  • Pre Allotment shareholding and Post proposed Allotment Shareholding pattern as per Regulation 31 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements), Regulations, 2015.
  • The calculation of ex right price by the Statutory Auditor/Practicing Company Secretary/Practicing Chartered Accountant, if not available in the offer document.

Question 20.
Priyanka Ltd., a listed company wants to make an issue of securities through a right issue where the aggregate value of securities including premium exceeds ₹ 70 lakh. As the Company Secretary of Priyanka Ltd., how will you advise your company in respect of procedures to be followed?
Answer:
As Company Secretary of Priyanka Ltd., our advice in respect of procedures to be followed:
The provisions of SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018 shall be applicable only if the issue size is INR 50 Lacs or more.

However, if the issue size is less than INR 50 Lacs the aforesaid regulations are not applicable in the Rights Issue of a listed company. An issuer making a right issue is required to file a draft offer document along with fees as specified with SEBI through the lead merchant banker at least 30 days prior to registering the prospectus, red herring prospectus or shelf prospectus with the ROC or filing the letter of offer with the designated stock exchange as the case may be.

The following are important procedures to be followed with respect to a right issue:
Issue of securities in dematerialized form: No company shall make rights issue of shares, unless the company enters into an agreement with a depository for dematerialisation of shares already issued or proposed to be issued to the existing shareholders.

Record Date: Ensure that the record date has been announced for the purpose of determining the shareholders eligible to apply for specified securities in the proposed right issue.

Restriction on rights issue: No issuer shall make a right issue of equity shares unless it has made reservation of equity shares of the same class in favour of the holders of outstanding compulsorily convertible debt instruments if any in proportion to the convertible part thereof.

Letter of offer, abridged letter of offer: The abridged letter of offer, along with application form, shall be despatched through registered post or speed post or by courier service or by electronic transmission to all the existing shareholders at least three days before the date of opening of the issue. The letter of offer shall also be provided by the issuer or lead manager(s) to any existing shareholder who makes a request in this regard.

Pricing: The issuer shall decide the issue price, in consultation with the lead manager(s), before determining the record date, which shall be determined in consultation with the designated stock exchange.

Period of subscription: The rights issue shall be kept open for subscription for a minimum period of fifteen days and for a maximum period of thirty days.

Advertisement: An advertisement, giving the date of completion of dispatch of letters of offers, shall be released in at least one English, one Hindi and one Regional Language newspaper at least 3 days before the date of opening of the issue.

Obligation of issuer/intermediaries: The obligation of issuer/ intermediaries for a rights issuer with respect to advertisement, appointment of compliance officer, redressal of investor griev-ances, due diligence, post issue reports, post issue advertisements etc. is same as the public issue.

Question 21.
Som Ltd. wants to make ‘rights issue’ of shares. As a Company Secretary, advise on the following issues:
(i) The aggregate value of securities offered is INR 85 Lakh.
(ii) The record date for rights issue is 30th June, 2015. The Company desires to withdraw rights issue on 2nd July, 2015.
(iii) The rights issue is open for subscription from 30th June, 2015 to 10th July 2015.
(iv) The letter of offer is dispatched through courier to all existing share¬holders on 29th June, 2015 when the issue is open for subscription on 30th June 2015.
(v) The record date is 30th June, 2015. On 2nd July , 2015, the issue price of shares is decided.
Answer:
(i) Where the aggregate value of the Securities offered is ₹ 50 Lakhs or more, SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2009 are applicable. In the given case, it is ₹ 80 Lakhs.

Hence, the company is required to file a draft offer with fees with SEBI through a Lead Merchant Banker at least 30 days prior to registering the prospectus.

(ii) If the issuer withdraws the rights issue after announcing the record date, it shall not make an application for listing of any of its specified securities on any recognised stock exchange for a period of twelve months from the record date. However, the issuer may seek listing of its equity shares allotted pursuant to conversion or exchange of convertible securities issued prior to the announcement of the record date, on the recognised stock exchange where its securities are listed.

(iii) A rights issue shall be open for subscription for a minimum period of fifteen days and for a maximum period of thirty days. In this case it is open for subscription for a period less than the minimum period. Hence it is not valid.

(iv) The abridged letter of offer, along with application form, shall be dispatched through registered post or speed post to all the existing shareholders at least three days before the date of opening of the issue.
In this case letter of offer is dispatched through courier and that too just one day before the date of opening of issue. Hence it is not valid.

(v) The issue price shall be decided before determining the record date which shall be determined in consultation with the designated stock exchange. In this case it is decided after the record date which is wrong.

Note: The answer is given as per SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2009 which is replaced by SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018. The above answer is not applicable for examination further. .4s per SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018, an issuer offering specified securities of aggregate value of50crores or more through a right issue shall satisfy the conditions at the time of filing the draft letter of offer with the Board and also at the time of filing the final letter of offer with the stock exchange(s); as the case may be.

Question 22.
Strong Ltd. is contemplating to introduce Employee Stock Purchase Scheme (ESPS). As a Practising Company Secretary, advise the management on the following issues:
(i) Whether directors of the company are eligible for ESPS?
(ii) Is there any restriction on the price of shares to be issued under ESPS?
(iii) The nature of approvals to be taken from the shareholders of the company.
(iv) Lock-in-period
Answer:
Advise to the management as a Practising Company Secretary:
(i) Eligibility for ESPS:
A director of the company, whether a whole time director or not but excluding an independent director is eligible for the ESPS whereas an employee who is a promoter or a person belonging to the promoters group; or a director who either himself or through his relative or through anybody corporate (directly or indirectly) holds more than ten per cent of the outstanding equity shares of the company is not eligible for the ESPS.

(ii) Restriction on the price of shares to be issued under ESPS:
Under Regulation 15, the company may determine the price of shares to be issued under an ESPS, provided they conform to the provisions of accounting-policies.

(iii) Nature of approvals to be taken from the shareholders of the company: No scheme shall be offered to employees of a company unless the shareholders of the company approve it by passing a special resolution in the general meeting. The explanatory statement to the notice and the resolution proposed to be passed by shareholders for the schemes shall include the information as specified by in Securities and Exchange Board of India (Share Based Employee Benefits) Regulations, 2014.

(iv) Lock-in-Period: Shares issued under an ESPS shall be locked-in for a minimum period of one year from the date of allotment whereas the ESPS is part of a public issue and the shares are issued to employees at the same price as in the public issue, the shares issued to employees pursuant to ESPS shall not be subject to lock-in.

Question 23.
ADLAP Infra Project Ltd. is in process of Initial Public Offer of ₹ 450 Crore. M/s SPMG, is being appointed for due diligence in respect of project of ADLAP.

As the Company Secretary, prepare a checklist for such due diligence to provide Project related information and records.
Answer:
Checklist for due diligence in respect of Project related information of ADLAP

  • Project Feasibility Report.
  • Reports/documents prepared by independent research agencies in respect of the state of the industry and demand and supply for the company’s products.
  • Schedule of Implementation.
  • Status of Proj ect as on a recent date including amount spent & sources.
  • Promoter’s contribution till date (supported by Auditor’s Certificate, if possible).
  • Current & proposed Shareholding pattern.
  • Sanctions received by the issuer from bankers/institutions for debt financing in the project.
  • Market (Demand/supply with sources along with copies)
  • Arrangements and strategy of the company for marketing its products.
  • Discussions with important customers, suppliers, Joint Venture part-ners, collaborators of the company.
  • Marketing & Distribution (network etc.) & relevant documents wher-ever applicable.

Break-up of Cost of Project:
Land: Location site & map, area, copy of documents Le. Sale/Lease Deed for land, Soil Test Report, Order for converting land into Industrial land etc.

Building: Details break-up from Architect, Approval details from Municipality etc. and Valuation Report from a Chartered Engineer (for existing building and suitability of site).

Equipments: Invoices/Quotations of main items, (indicate Imported Machinery separately).

Margin Money for Working Capital: Margin Money for Working Capital (calculation).

  • Preliminary & Pre-operative expenses break-up.
  • Provision for contingencies break-up.

Questioon24.
For listing and trading of SME- Initial Public Offer (IPO), what are the documents to be submitted by the Company Secretary on T+2 days?
Answer:
Listing and Trading of SME- Initial Public Offer (IPO): Documents to be submitted by the Company Secretary on T+2 days (Le. within 2 working days from the closure of the issue):

  • All due diligence certificates filed with SEBI by Merchant bankers.
  • List of authorized signatories along with their specimen signatures.
  • The company should inform that the dividend entitlement for the
    current year for all the existing shares including the shares issued in the public issue shall rank pari passu.
  • Confirmation from Lead Managers that devolvement notices have been sent to underwriters (applicable if the issue has devolved).
  • Confirmation from the company stating that they have obtained authentication for SCORES from SEBI as per SEBI Circular dated April 13, 2012.
  • Confirmation from the company regarding the email ID for Investor Grievances as per Regulation 46 of SEBI (LODR), Regulations, 2015.
  • Copies of all advertisements published in connection with the issue up to T+2 stage.

Question 25.
PQR successfully completed its Initial Public Offer (IPO). List out the documents to be submitted on T+2 days for listing.
Answer:
PQR successfully completed its Initial Public Offer (IPO). Afterwards, following documents are required to be submitted on T+2 days for listing named as below:

  • All due diligence certificates filed with SEBI by Merchant banker(s).
  • Observation Letter issued by SEBI pursuant to filing of draft offer document.
  • List of authorized signatories along with their specimen signatures.
  • Confirmation from Lead Managers that devolvement notices have been sent to underwriters (applicable if the issue has devolved).
  • Certificate from the BRLM(s) that the issue has received minimum subscription as specified under Regulation 45(1) of SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018.
  • As per Regulation 46 of SEBI (LODR), Regulations, 2015, confirmation from the company regarding the E-mail ID for Investor Grievances.
  • Copies of all advertisements published in connection with the issue up to T+l stage.
  • As per Regulation 13 of LODR, Regulations, 2015, confirmation from the company stating that they have obtained authentication for SCORES from SEBI.

Question 26.
What documents are required for submission to obtain in-principle approval for the proposed Right Issue?
Ans.
Documents are required for submission to obtain in-principle approval for the proposed Right Issue:

  • Bid data of Exchanges other than the designated stock exchange.
  • All rejections application along with Summary statement (1 set pho-tocopy to be submitted).
  • Certified copies of all Bank final certificates (ASBA & NON ASBA).
  • Minutes of Basis of allotment duly signed by all the Lead Manager, Registrar and the Company.
  • Basis of allotment sheet for each category.
  • Round summary in case of over subscription, in hard as well as soft format.
  • Copy of post issue initial monitoring report filed with SEBI (3 day monitoring report).
  • Undertaking from Lead Manager, Company and the Registrar.
  • Pre Allotment shareholding and Post proposed Allotment Sharehold-ing pattern as per Regulation 31 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements), Regulations, 2015.
  • The calculation of ex right price by the Statutory Auditor/Practicing Company Secretary/Practicing Chartered Accountant, if not available in the offer document.
    Thus, the Company has to finalise the basis of allotment and submit the documents as under within 10 days from closure of the issue.

Question 27.
What documents are required for granting approvals under SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015 for the companies coming out with QIPs- Prior Approval?
Answer:
As per Regulation 28(1) of SEBI (LODR), 2015, following documents required for granting approvals for the companies coming out with Qualified Institutions Placement (QIPs) for prior approval along-with covering letter in which the company’s intention to give discount to the investors:
→ Copy of the two days prior intimation given by the company to the Exchange about the proposed meeting of the Board of Directors in which fund raising by way of QIP issue is specifically mentioned as required under Regulations 29(1) and (2) of Listing Regulations.

→ Certified true copy of the resolution passed by the Board of Directors of the Company approving the placement of securities with Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs) under the SEBI (Issue of Capital and Dis-closure Requirements) Regulations, 2018.

→ Copy of the notice sent to the shareholders of the company.

→ Draft placement document for issue of specified securities to QIBs.

[Explanation: The placement document required to be prepared in accordance with SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 shall contain disclaimer in bold capital letters to the effect that “the placement is meant only for QIBs on a private placement basis and is not an offer to the public or to any other class of investors. ”]

→ Certified true copy of the resolution passed by the shareholders of the Company in accordance with the requirements of SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018.

→ Abridged shareholding pattern of the Company at the time of application for in-principle approved.

→ Net worth certificate from PCA/PCS together with related workings of the company based on the audited balance sheet of the previous financial year.

→ Confirmation by the Managing Director/Company Secretary.

→ Processing fee.

→ Confirmation from the Merchant Banker that the proposed issue of (Name of the Company), is being made in compliance with SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2018 and the (Name of the Company) complies with the requirements of SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018.

→ Undertaking from MD/CS/Compliance Officer of the company.

Question 28.
Write short note on: “Six points which can be included in checklist for basis of allotment-SME- IPO”.
Answer:
Six points which can be included in checklist for basis of allot- ment-SME-IPO:

  • One Copy of final prospectus filed with ROC along with ROC filing acknowledgement copy.
  • Statement of multiple application and status of its acceptance. (If applicable).
  • Photo copy of the final certificate issued by the controlling branch of ASBA bankers giving branch wise details of collections received.
  • Undertakings from the company, lead managers and the registrars & transfer agents in respect of the basis of allotment.
  • Copy of the statutory advertisement released in respect of the public issue/offer for sale, opening and closing of the issue, price revision, if any etc. up to the stage of basis of allotment.
  • List of all prospective allottees (valid) along with number of shares applied, amount paid, bank account details, PAN number, Demat account details etc. (in soft copy CD).

Question 29.
What documents are required for granting listing approvals for the equity shares issued on a preferential basis?
Answer:
Following documents required for granting listing approvals, for the equity shares issued on a preferential basis:

  • Brief particular of the new securities issued,

Certified copy of:

  • the resolution passed by the shareholders of the Company approving the allotment on preferential basis and the resolution passed for increasing the authorized capital wherever applicable.
  • the resolution passed by board of directors for allotment of convertible instrument, applicable only where the allotment of equity shares is pursuant to conversion of convertible instrument.
  • the compliance certificate from the Statutory Auditor placed before the shareholders in the general meeting.
  • the order passed by Hon’ble High Court! BIFR/Scheme approved by CDR, if applicable.

Shareholding Pattern as per the format prescribed under Regulation 31 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements), Regulations, 2015 giving details pre and post allotment.

Certificate from:

  • Managing Director/Company Secretary of the company.
  • Statutory Auditor of the company for receipt of funds.
  • Statutory Auditors/Practicing Chartered Accountant/Practicing Company Secretary for compliance.

Details of Processing fee/Additional listing fee, if applicable to be paid on the enhanced capital.

Corporate Funding and Listings in Stock Exchanges Notes

Concept of Insurance – Insurance Law and Practice Important Questions

Concept of Insurance – Insurance Law and Practice Important Questions

Question 1.
Write short notes on the following:
Licensing of surveyors and loss assessors.
Answer:
Licensing of Surveyors and Loss Assessors:
Regulation 3 of the Insurance Surveyors and Loss Assessors (Licensing, Professional and Code of conduct)

Regulations, 2000 specifies the requirements for issue of a licence:

(a) He holds a degree in any branch of engineering (or) Postgraduate diploma in general insurance issued by Institute of Insurance and Risk Management (or) a Degree in Agriculture (or)

(b) He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India or the Institute of Cost and Works Accountants of India (or)

(c) He possesses actuarial qualifications or holds a degree or diploma of any recognised university or an institute in relation to insurance (or)

(d) He holds a diploma in insurance granted or recognised by the Government (or)

(e) He holds such other technical qualifications as prescribed by IRDA (and)

(f) He does not suffer from any of the disqualifications mentioned in Section 42(4) Where the entity is a company or a firm, all the directors or partners shall possess one of the qualifications as prescribed above and none of the directors or partners suffers from any of the disqualifications mentioned as above (and)

(g) Payment of fees based on the categorization of the applicant (and)

(h) Has undergone practical training as a Student-member under a licensed Surveyor and Loss Assessor (who shall be a Fellow or Associate member of the Institute) for a period of 12 months as contained in Chapter VII (persons who have more than 15 years experience in risk management and general insurance are exempt from this training) (and)

(i) Has passed the Surveyor examination conducted by the Insurance Institute of India or such other institute recognized by IDA. (and)

(j) Has undergone the special training provided by the Indian Institute of Surveyors and Loss Assessors for 100 hours for Fellowship, 50 hours for Associate and 25 hours for Licentiate level (and)

(k) He attends seminars and workshops organized by the Institute for a minimum number of seminars, viz., 10 seminars for fellowship, 8 for Associateship and 5 for Fellowship level.

Question 2.
Distinguish between ‘insurance contracts’ and ‘wagering agreements’.
Answer:
The following are the point of distinction between Wagering Agreement and Insurance Contracts

Wagering Agreement Insurance Contracts
1. The parties have no insurable Interest in Wagering Agreement. 1. An Insurance Policy on the other hands must have an Insurable Interest.
2. In Wagering Agreement, neither party has any interest in the happening or non-happening of an event. 2. In Insurance Contract, however, both parties are interested in the subject matter.
3. Wagering Agreement, however, is a conditional contract. 3. Contract of Insurance generally is contracts of Indemnity except Life Insurance which is a benefit policy.
4. Wagering Agreement is a gamble without any scientific evaluation of risk, 4. Insurance Contracts are based on Scientific and Actuarial evaluation of risk.
5. Wagering agreement serve no useful purpose. 5. Insurance Contracts are beneficial to the public and hence encouraged by the state.
6. Wagering Agreement is void and illegal, 6. A Contract of Insurance is a valid contract enforceable In a Court of Law.

Question 3.
How is the contract of insurance different from an ordinary contract? What are the additional features of contract of insurance?
Answer:
Like other contracts, contracts of insurance also have important features like:

  • Offer and acceptance;
  • Consideration;
  • Capacity to contract;
  • Legality of object and other important conditions of an ordinary contract.

However, contracts of insurance also have few additional features like:

  • Utmost good faith;
  • Insurance Interest;
  • Indemnity; and
  • Proximate Cause.

If there is non-disclosure or misrepresentation with fraudulent intention, an insurance contract becomes void. A void contract has no legal effect or validity. Immovable interest may arise in a number of ways—like ownership, mortgage, trustee, bailees, lessees. Principle of indemnity arises under common law and requires that an insurance contract should be a contract of indemnity only.

Question 4.
Under what circumstances, breach of ‘duty of utmost faith’ may arise? What is its effect on insurance contracts?
Answer:
The breach of duty of utmost faith may arise:

  • Unintentionally through an oversight or because the proposer thought that it was not material;
  • Intentionally if there is non-disclosure or misrepresentation with fraudulent intention.

The insurance contract becomes void. A void contract has no legal effect on validity. In fact, it is not a contract at all. If the duty is broken in any other way, the contract becomes voidable which means, the insurer will have the option to avoid the contract and reject the claim. Warranties are expressly stated in the policy to ensure that the insured shall or shall not do a particular thing. Warranty must be complied with strictly.

Question 5.
Explain the maxim caveat emptor. Does this apply to insurance contracts?
Answer:
Insurance contract is one which requires utmost good faith. The rule of caveat emptor (let the buyer beware) does not generally apply. This doctrine is supported by Representation through an application of Concealment and Warranty.

An application for life and health insurance is the applicant’s proposal to the insurer for protection and is the beginning of the policy contract. The proposed ‘insured’ is required to give accurate answers to questions in the application relating to his personal and family history, habits, employment, insurance already in force, and other applications for insurance that either pending or have been postponed or refused etc.

A failure to do so leads the insurer being estopped [i.e., prevented] from denying the correctness or truth of information in the application. Insurers place great reliance on this information to issue the requested policy.

This principle of insurance stems from the doctrine of “Uberrimae Fides” which is essential for a valid insurance contract. It implies that in a contract of insurance, the concerned contracting parties must rely on each other’s honesty. Insurance contracts are different from other contracts. Normally the doctrine of “Caveat Emptor” governs the formation of commercial contracts which means ‘let the buyer beware. The buyer is responsible for examining the good or services and its features and functions. It is not binding upon the parties to disclose the information, which is not asked for.

However, in case of insurance, the products sold are intangible. Here the required facts relate to the proposer, those that are very personal and known only to him. The law imposes a greater duty on the parties to an insurance contract than those involved in commercial contracts.

They need to have utmost good faith in each other, which implies full and correct disclosure of all material facts by both parties to the contract of insurance. The term “material fact” refers to every fact or information, which has a bearing on the decisions with respect to the determination of the severity of risk involved and the amount of premium.

The disclosure of material facts determines the terms of coverage of the policy. Any concealment of material facts may lead to negative repercussions on the functioning of the insurance company’s normal business. Thus, the caveat emptor maxim is not applicable to contracts which are based on trust and faith and where the foundation of the contract is based on the parties trust and faith on each other.

Question 6.
Give a brief note on the following: Doctrine of good faith and fair dealing
Answer:
Doctrine of good faith and fair dealing: Each party to the contract is to avoid impairing the rights of the other. The duty requires insurers to make prompt and full settlements with insured and beneficiaries and to consider the insured’s interest in settling claims.

The implied-in-law duty of good faith and fair dealing imposes upon a disability insurer a duty not to threaten to withhold or actually withhold payments, maliciously and without probable cause, for the purpose of injuring its insured. The violation of that duty sounds in tort notwithstanding that it also constitutes a breach of contract.

Question 7.
Kapil purchased an automobile service station from Vimal. The purchase price included the costs of building, equipment and other assets. The business was financed by a loan take by Kapil from a scheduled bank, which also held a mortgage of the building. Kapil, after purchase, converted one of the car-repair bays into a quick-service restaurant.

Kapil had secured an insurance cover on the property but did not disclose to the insurer about the conversion’. Six months after the commencement of the business, a car undergoing servicing at the station caught fire and damaged the roof over a bay in the service station area.

From the above information, answer the following questions with reasons in brief:

(i) Who had insurable interest in the property at the time of fire?

(ii) Vimal told Kapil that in order to save money, Kapil could takeover Vimal’s insurance cover instead of buying a new policy. Would it have been appropriate to do this, without Vimal’s insurer being informed?

(iii) Investigation into the fire accident revealed that the car owner knew that the vehicle’s gas tank had a leak but this was not disclosed to Kapil when the car was left for service. Will the principle of subrogation apply in this case?

(iv) Did Kapil show utmost good faith when he applied for property insurance?

(v) Could Kapil’s insurer deny coverage for fire on the basis of material misstatement of facts?
Answer:
(i) Kapil has insurable interest in the property. Vimal after sale of the business does not have an insurable interest. The Bank as a mortgagee too, has limited insurable interest on the property.

(ii) No, Vimal cannot pass on the rights under the old insurance contract to Kapil without consulting that insurer and obtaining its consents. Insurance policy is a personal contract by nature, hence is non- transferrable. Kapil should apply for a policy and only then can benefit from it, after issuance of the same.

(iii) Yes, the principle of subrogation is applied. According to this principle, when the insured is compensated for the losses due to damage to his insured property, then the recovery rights of such payments, shifts to the insurer. In this case, the insurer of the car, after compensating for the loss of the car to that insured, can recover the loss from the service station owner (Kapil) or from his insurer.

(iv) Mr. Kapil has breached the principle of utmost good faith, by not revealing material fact of converting part of the car bay into a restaurant. In this situation, Mr. Kapil is bound to intimate any alteration to the property to the insurer if he intends to extend the coverage of the same, which can be done through an endorsement. In the present case, Mr. Kapil has not informed the company about the conversion, which is a material fact as it increases the degree of risk of the insured property.

(v) The insurer has right to cancel the contract (reputation) and can deny the coverage/claims for the misstatement/concealment of material fact by assuming that the fire was due to restaurant operations,.which was not informed to the insurance company.

Question 8.
What is the difference between Insurance and Guarantee?
Answer:

Insurance Guarantee
In a contract of Insurance, there are two parties ie. insurer and insured, In a contract of Guarantee, there are three parties i.e. Main Debtor,
Creditor & Surety.
Insurance contract is generally Cancelable. Contract of Guarantee is Non-Cancelable.
Insurance premium is be the probability and quantum of losses In contract of business, loss cannot be estimated generally so fee is charged for the guarantees service rendered.
An insurance contract transfers the Risk. There is No Transfer of Risk in a contract of guarantee.

Question 9.
Explain the difference between the contract of Insurance and contract of wager.
Answer:
Insurance And Wager:
A contract of Insurance, i.e. life, accident, fire, marine, etc. is not a wager though it is performable upon an uncertain event. It is so because; the principle of insurable interest distinguishes insurance from a wagering contract.

Insurable interest is the interest which one has in the safety or preservation of the subject matter of insurance. Where insurable interest is not present in insurance contracts, it becomes a wagering contract and is therefore void.

The following are the points of distinction between wagering agreements and insurance contracts:
1. The parties have no insurable interest But the holder of an insurance policy must have an insurable interest.

2. In wagering agreement, neither party has any interest in happening or non-happening of an event. But in a contract of insurance, both parties are interested in the subject matter.

3. Contracts of insurance are contracts of indemnity except life insurance contract, which is a contingent contract. But a wagering agreement is a conditional contract.

4. Contracts of insurance are based on scientific and actuarial calculation of risks, whereas wagering agreements are a gamble without any scientific calculation of risk.

5. Contracts of insurance are regarded as beneficial to the public and hence encouraged by the State but wagering agreements serve no useful purpose.

6. A contract of insurance is a valid contract whereas a wagering agreement is void being expressly declared by law.

Question 10.
What are the basic principles of Insurance? Explain each one of them in detail.
Answer:
Understanding Principles Of Insurance: The business of insurance aims to protect the economic value of assets or life of a person. Through a contract of insurance the insurer agrees to make good any loss on the insured property or loss of life (as the case may be) that may occur of time in consideration for a small premium to be paid by the insured. Apart from the above essentials of a valid contract, insurance contracts are subject to additional principles.

There are:

  • Principle of Utmost good faith
  • Principle of Insurable interest
  • Principle of Indemnity
  • Principle of Subrogation
  • Principle of Contribution
  • Principle of Proximate cause
  • Principle of Loss Miri|imization

1. Principle Of Uberrimae Fidei (Utmost Good Faith):

  • Both the parties i.e. the insured and the insurer should have a good faith towards each other.
  • The insurer must provide the insured complete, correct and clear information of subject matter.
  • The insurer must provide the insured complete, correct and clear information regarding terms and conditions of the contract.
  • This principle is applicable to all contracts of insurance i.e. life, fire and marine insurance.

2. Principle Of Insurable Interest:

  • The insured must have insurable interest in the subject matter of insurance.
  • In life insurance, it refers to the life insured.
  • In marine insurance, it is enough if the insurable interest exists only at the time of occurrence of the loss.
  • In fire and general insurance, it must be present at the time of taking policy and also at the time of occurrence of loss.
  • The owner of the party is said to have insurable interest as long as he is the owner of it.
  • It is applicable to all contracts of insurance.

3. Principle Of Indemnity:

  • Indemnity means guarantee or assurance to put the insured in the same position in which he was immediately prior to the happening of the uncertain event. The insurer undertakes to make good the loss.
  • It is applicable to fire, marine and other general insurance.
  • Under this the insurer agreed to compensate the insured for the actual loss suffered.

4. Principle Of Subrogation:

  • As per this principle after the insured is compensated for the loss due to damage to property insured, then the right of ownership of such property passes to the insurer.
  • This principle is corollary of the principle of the principle of indemnity and is applicable to all contracts of indemnity.

5. Principle Of Contribution:

  • The principle is corollary of the principle of indemnity.
  • It is applicable to all contracts of indemnity.
  • Under this principle the insured can claim the compensation only to the extent of actual loss either from any one insurer or all insurers.

6. Principle Of Causa Proxima (Nearest Cause):

  • The loss of insured property can be caused by more than one cause in succession to another.
  • The property may be insured against some causes and not against all causes.
  • In such an instance, the proximate cause or nearest cause of loss is to be found out.
  • If the proximate cause is the one which is insured against, the insurance company is bound to pay the compensation and vice versa.

7. Principle Of Loss Minimization:
Under this principle it is the duty of the insured to take all possible steps to minimize the loss to the insured property on the happening, of uncertain event.

CS Professional Insurance Law and Practice Notes

Preparation Of Patent Documents – Intellectual Property Rights Laws and Practices Important Questions

Preparation Of Patent Documents – Intellectual Property Rights Laws and Practices Important Questions

Question 1.
Read the following case on patent law and answer the questions that follow:
On 7th July 2005, Viraj Ltd. (Viraj) was granted a patent under the Indian Patent No. 195904, with a priority date of 16th July 2002. The title of the patent application was “an improved internal combustion engine working on four-stroke principle.” The invention was called DTS-i Technology and it related to the use of twin spark plugs located diametrically opposite to each other in a small displacement engine with the cylinder bore diameter ranging between 45 mm to 70 mm. According to Viraj, this placement of the spark plugs enabled better control over the ignition timing and lesser time was taken for the flame to travel during the process of combustion. The novelty also lay in the use of a sleeve to protect the spark plug which prevented exposure of the plug to the lubricating oil.

In 2003, Viraj launched ‘Inventa’, a motorcycle that employed the DTS-i Technology in respect of which the patent was then pending. In the first eight months of that financial year itself, Viraj manufactured and marketed 8,14,393 two-wheelers with the DTS-i Technology out of a total of 15,01,241 two-wheelers which were sold by it amounting to 54.25% of its total sales. In 2007, CVS Ltd. (CVS) announced the launch of a 125-cc motorcycle under the trademark ‘Sport’ which was to be powered by a lean-burn internal combustion engine of bore size 54.5 mm with a twin spark plug configuration just like that of Viraj. CVS also stated that on the 1st and 3rd of September, 2007, Viraj had issued certain groundless threats to dissuade CVS from launching ‘Sport’.

Hence, in October 2007, CVS filed a suit under sections 105 and 106 of the Patents Act, 1970 in the High Court, alleging that the statements made by Viraj on 1st and 3rd of September, 2007 constituted groundless threats, and sought the intervention of the Court to restrain Viraj from interfering with the launch of ‘Sport’. Further, CVS also filed an application for the revocation of Viraj’s patent before the Indian Patents Appellate Board under section 64 of the Patents Act, 1970.

Upon the announcement by CVS, Viraj filed a suit for permanent injunction under section 108 of the Patents Act, 1970 in the High Court to restrain CVS from using the internal combustion technology patented by Viraj and from employing the same in marketing 2-3 wheelers, including CVS’s proposed 125-cc ‘Sport’ motorcycle.

Vide its order dated 16th February 2008, the Single Judge of the High Court restrained CVS from launching the proposed 125-cc ‘Sport’ motorcycle with the twin spark plug engine technology, as Virajprima facie enjoyed the right of exclusive usage of the patent, granted to it by the Patent Office. The High Court held that Viraj had succeeded in establishing a prima facie case for the grant of an injunction, and while granting the injunction was pleased to observe:

“……Suffice it to say now at this stage, prima facie there is the novelty which means an invention and the same has been registered under the Patents Act…. novelty has been on the face of it proved by the applicant by marketing the product to such a large extent and also without objection fairly for long …” Aggrieved by the order of the Single Judge, CVS preferred an appeal before the Division Bench of the High Court. The Appellate Bench of the High Court held that Viraj had not succeeded in establishing a prima face case of infringement in respect of its patented twin spark technology.

The Division Bench observed that having regard to the nature of operation of the DTS-i Technology engine by virtue of twin spark plugs and that of CVS by virtue of receipt of air-fuel mixture through two different intake valves, their points of emphasis differed considerably, notwithstanding the use of twin spark plug in both the technologies. The Division Bench further observed that the operation of the invention as claimed by Viraj appears to be plug centric and that of CVS was valve centric, and on scrutiny of the claim as set out in the final complete specification, it held that it found it difficult to countenance Viraj’s claim that the CVS’s product specification infringed Viraj’s patented right. Accordingly, the Division Bench set aside the order of the Single Judge.

Aggrieved by the order of the Division Bench, Viraj preferred an appeal before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, while prima facie agreeing with the order of the Division Bench, ordered that although CVS shall be entitled to sell its motorcycle ‘Sport’, it shall maintain an accurate record of its entire domestic and international sale and directed the High Court to appoint a receiver in this connection.

In its interim order, the Supreme Court reiterated that in matters relating to trademarks, copyright, and patents, the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 which mandate that civil disputes should be heard on a day-to-day basis without any adjournments, except in circumstances beyond the control of the parties. It also directed that the final judgment should be given normally within four months from the date of the filing of the suit. The Supreme Court directed that the timeline stipulated above be adhered to ‘punctually and faithfully’ by all courts and tribunals in the country.
Questions :

  1. What were the grounds under which the Division Bench of the High Court reversed the decision of the Single Judge of the High Court? Cite relevant case law.
  2. Elaborate on the order and the directions passed by the Supreme Court and how it may impact the IPR pending litigation.
  3. Explain the factors which constituted a prima facie case for the grant of an injunction.
  4. Write a note on the significance of laboratory notebooks/logbooks/record books in patent litigation.
  5. Discuss the typical parts of a patent application.

Answer:
(1) The Division Bench of the High Court reversed the decision of the Single Judge of the High Court on the following grounds:

1. After considering the functioning and performance of products manufactured by both the parties, the Division Bench found that both the products were of distinctive features and different operations.

2. As to the nature of the operation of the engine, it was observed that the DTS-i Technology engine is operated by virtue of spark plugs, and the CVS engine is operated by virtue of receipt of air-fuel mixture through two different intake valves.

3. Technology used by the appellant was different from the technology used by the respondent.

4. The point of emphasis of both the engines is considerably different and does not bear identified resemblance even with the use of twin spark plugs in both the technologies.

5. It is further observed that Viraj’s engine is plug-centric and the CVS engine is value-centric.

6. On the scrutiny of the final complete specification, it was found that it is difficult to allow Viraj’s claim that CVS’s product specification has infringed Viraj’s patented rights.

7. Along with this, the distinction between patented claim and infringed product is well protected under provisions of the Patents Act, 1970.
Hence, infringement of the respondent’s patent by the appellant was not proved. Relevant Case Law is M/s TVS Motor Company Limited Vs. M/s Bajaj Auto Limited (MANU/TN/0976/2009, MANUSTN/0174/2008).

(2) Challenging the appeal allowed by the Division Bench of the Madras High Court, Viraj appealed to the Supreme Court by special leave. The most salutary effect of this case has been the guidelines passed by the Supreme Court directing expeditious disposal of IPR cases by the Trial Court. In this case, the Court was of the opinion that the matters relating to trademarks, copyrights, and patents should be decided expeditiously and finally by the Trial Court instead of merely granting or refusing to grant an injunction. Experience shows that in the matters of trademarks, copyrights, and patents, litigation is mainly fought between the parties about the temporary injunction which goes on for years and the result is that the suit is hardly decided finally. This is not proper.

The Court observed that once the hearing of the suit has commenced, it shall be continued from day-to-day until all the witnesses in attendance have been examined, unless the Court finds that, for exceptional reasons to be recorded by it, an adjournment of the hearing

beyond the following day is necessary. Only circumstances that are beyond the control of the parties would justify such an adjournment. It also opined that in suits relating to the matters of patents, trademarks, and copyrights, final judgment should be given normally within four months from the date of filing of the suit.

The direction of the Supreme Court seeks to enforce a provision under which, an adjournment on the ground that the leader of a party is engaged in another Court, shall not constitute a ground for an adjournment. This cause of adjournments is the biggest bane and obstacle in overcoming judicial delays, and if these guidelines are actually implemented by the Courts and Tribunal below, all IPR cases would be decided expeditiously. This augurs well for strengthening the rights of IPR holders in India.
Relevant Case Law is M/s TVS Motor Company Limited Vs. M/S Bajaj Auto Limited (MANU/SC/1632/2009).

(3) For an invention to be patentable, it must satisfy the triple tests of novelty, non-obviousness, and capability of industrial application and exploitation. While considering the facts of the case, the Court found that the invention satisfied the triple tests and was patentable. The Single Judge order of the High Court emphasized that in cases of the interlocutory injunction, including any patent action the plaintiff must prove or show as follows:

  1. prima facie case that the patent is valid and infringed.
  2. the balance of convenience lies in favor of the plaintiff and
  3. irreparable loss would be caused to Plaintiff by not granting an order of injunction.

The factors which constitute a prima facie case for grant of an injunction are as follows:
(1) Firstly, whether the applicant holds a patent over the technology under consideration. The certificate for grant of a patent by the appropriate authority in such cases is prima facie proof of the grant of a patent.

(2) Secondly, whether there is a commercial use of the aforementioned patented technology by the respondent/non-applicant.

In cases where there is a dispute between the parties as to whether the invention or technology claimed to be patented is patentable or not the tests applied by the Courts are the test of novelty non-obviousness and capability of industrial application and exploitation of the technology. In the relevant case-law cited i.e. Bajaj Auto Limited Vs. TVS Motor Company Limited, while considering the facts of the case, the Court found that the invention satisfied the triple tests and was patentable.

The Court was of the view that, upon the amendment of the Act which came into force on 20th May 2003, when a patentee files a suit for infringement based on the patent granted to him, the patent should be prima facie presumed to be valid, until the same is revoked or set aside under any of the grounds set out in the Act or in any other manner. The Court was of the view that prior to the amendment, the patentee was conferred an exclusive right to use himself or through agents or licensees and also to exercise or sell or distribute the inventions in India. However, after the amendment, the patentee now enjoys an exclusive « right to prevent third parties from using or selling, or offering for sale, etc. his invention.

On the question of whether Bajaj’s invention involved an inventive step, the Court was satisfied that the invention involved a technical advance as compared to the existing knowledge and that it had economic significance. The Court was prima facie satisfied that the invention had found a special place in the Indian market and had established a significant market share.

The Court found that even though Bajaj’s product ‘Pulsar’ had been introduced in the market in 2003, TVS had for the first time raised an objection only on August 24, 2007, by which time Bajaj’s DTS technology-based product had been sold in large numbers across the country. The Single Judge of the Madras High Court found that the petition for revocation of the Patent granted to Bajaj had been filed a mere six days prior to the launch of Flame, and as such the conduct of TVS was not entirely bona fide. The Court was of the view that till such time, TVS succeeded in its petition for revocation, the patent granted to Bajaj could not be viewed with suspicion, considering that it had been in existence for more than five years and as such the patentee Bajaj must be treated as an actual user and the presumption of the validity of its patent was thus established.

On the above basis, the Court recorded its satisfaction the Bajaj had succeeded in establishing- a prima facie case for the grant of an injunction. The Court also recorded that having exploited the patent for five years, the patentee had a further period of fifteen years to exploit the patent, and hence, the balance of convenience was also in its favor. Accordingly, the Madras High Court granted an interlocutory injunction in favor of Bajaj.

(4) Laboratory notebooks are the birthplace of inventions. Laboratory notebooks (also called a journal, inventor’s notebook or logbook) are used by inventors, scientists, and engineers to record their invention process, experimental tests, ideas, and results and observations. It is not a legal document but is valuable if properly organized and maintained since it can help establish dates of conception and reduction to practice. The purpose of the inventor’s logbook is simply to be an irrefutable diary of your progress so that if it comes to a legal conflict, you can produce your logbook and some supporting evidence to substantiate your claim that you were the first to start working on your invention and the first to “make a working model” of your invention. The information can improve the outcome of a patent or a patent contestation.

Typically, governments award patents on either a first to file or first to invent basis. Therefore, it is important to keep and maintain records that help to establish who is first to invent a particular invention. A laboratory notebook is a systematic device for recording all information related to an invention in such a way that it can be used as a key component to developing a case during a patent contestation or patent-related lawsuit. When properly kept, the notebook is a valuable tool for the inventor since it provides a chronological record of an invention and its reduction to practice. Each entry must be signed and dated by a witness. The witness should not be someone with a conflict of interest (such as a research partner).

If an inventor ever has to go to Court to prove that he or she was the first to invent, then the witness would be called to the stand to testify that it is their signature and they have signed that page on that date.

(5) A patent application is a request pending at a patent office for the grant of a patent for the invention described and claimed by that application. An application consists of a description of the invention (the patent specification), together with official forms and correspondence relating to the application. The term patent application is also used to refer to the process of applying for a patent or to the patent specification itself.

The typical parts of a patent application are generally:

  • Claims
  • Detailed description (or specification)
  • Drawings
  • Background
  • Abstract
  • Summary

The title should broadly describe the invention. However, titles are not generally examined. Occasionally a patent examiner decides that a title is not descriptive of the invention. It is best to avoid being overly narrow in the invention’s title, although the title should sufficiently indicate the subject matter of the invention. A patent application should also include the names of the inventors. The inventors should be named after the title, e.g. on the cover page. The patent application itself should also include all priority information, such as the identification of related applications.

It is desirable to remember who the audience will be for the patent application. The key audiences include judges and patent examiners. Of course, the patent agent’s client and the inventor are also audiences; the patent agent must make sure the inventor understands his own patent application. Other potential audiences include competitors, infringers, and investors. Many investors will often scrutinize a technology company’s patent portfolio carefully before making an investment.

Question 2.
What is a Laboratory Notebook?
Answer:
A laboratory notebook is also known as Logbooks, Record books, journals,s and inventor’s notebooks. It is the birthplace of inventions. A laboratory notebook is a systematic device for recording all information related to an invention in such a way that it can be used as a key component to developing a case during a patent contestation or patent-related lawsuit. When properly kept, the notebook is a valuable tool for the inventor since it provides a chronological record of an invention and its reduction to practice. Each entry must be signed and dated by a witness. If an inventor ever has to go to Court to prove that he or she was the first to invent, then the witness would be called to the stand to testify that the signature is theirs and they signed that page on that date.

The uses of laboratory notebooks are:-
1. It is used by inventors, scientists, and engineers to record their invention, process, experimental tests, ideas, and results, and observations.
2. It is not a legal document but is valuable if properly organized and maintained since it helps establish dates of conception and reduction to practice.

Question 3.
How a patent specification is prepared? Discuss the types of patent ‘ specifications.
Answer:
A patent specification can be prepared by the applicant himself or his registered and authorized agent. The patent specification generally comprises of the title of the invention indicating its technical field, prior art, drawbacks in the prior art, the solution provided by the inventor to obviate the drawbacks of the prior art, a concise but sufficient description of the invention and its usefulness, drawings, and details of the best method of its working.

There are two types of patent documents usually known as patent specifications:-

  • Provisional specification and
  • Complete specification.

Provisional Specification
While an inventor is in the process of finalizing his invention, he may file a specification known as ‘Provisional Specification’ which is not a full and specific description. It contains only a general description of the invention, its field of application, and anticipated results. The provisional specification heeds do not contain the claim(s).

A provisional specification is filed to fix the priority date of the patent. The priority date of the claim is the date on which a specification containing the claim is filed. Normally, the priority date is the date of filing the provisional specification provided the claims are based on the matter disclosed in the provisional specification.

During the period between the filing of the provisional specification and complete specification, the inventor may conduct further research on the subject matter of his invention. The provisional specification is a permanent and independent scientific cum legal document and no amendment is allowed in this. It is not necessary to file an application with provisional specifications before the complete specification.

Complete Specification
The complete specification is the full description of the invention containing all the claims over which the applicant seeks monopoly right. The object of this specification is to define clearly and with precision, the monopoly claimed so that others may know the exact boundaries of the monopoly right of the applicant. Complete specification must be submitted within 12 months of filing the provisional specification. The period can be extended by 3 months. Submission of the complete specifications is necessary to obtain a patent.

The contents of a complete specification are :

  1. Title of the invention.
  2. Field to which the invention belongs.
  3. Background of the invention including prior art giving drawbacks of the known inventions and practices.
  4. A complete description of the invention along with experimental results.
  5. Drawings etc. essential for understanding invention.
  6. Claims, which are statements, related to the invention on which legal proprietorship is being sought. Therefore the claims have to be drafted very carefully.

Question 4.
What is the patent application? Briefly discuss the parts of the patent application.
Answer:
A patent application memorializes the agreement between the inventor and the government office that results in the issuance of a patent. The patent application is in many ways like a contract. Writing a high-quality patent application is important because it sets out in a clear fashion the terms by which the patent owner and others will be bound. Thus, a patent application should be drafted while keeping important audiences in mind.

The parts of the patent application are as follows:-

1. CLAIMS:
It is very important to prepare the claims for the invention. The patent agent may even want to sketch out the claims in the disclosure meeting with the inventor. This will often provide confirmation to the patent agent that he has understood the invention. The patent agent may wish to use some sort of “picture claim” in the initial meeting with the inventor since inventors are often unfamiliar with patent claim language.

The majority of patent agents prepare several draft patent claims as their first step in writing a patent application. The claims are the legally operative part of a patent application; everything revolves around the claims. Because of the critical importance of claims, the patent agent should carefully revisit them after drafting the specification. Once the claims are completed the patent agent needs to check the drawings and specifications to verify that the claim terms have been appropriately described and disclosed.

2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OR SPECIFICATION:
The detailed description Section, sometimes known as the “preferred embodiment of invention” Section or the “disclosed embodiment of the “invention” Section breathes life into the claims and provides a sufficient explanation of the invention for an ordinary person skilled in the art to make and understand the invention. The patent agent cannot amend his application to include new technical disclosure during prosecution.

A patent agent should take care that the patent application must

  • reflects the disclosure material provided by the inventors;
  • provides sufficient information to enable an ordinary artisan to reproduce the invention; and
  • provides sufficient depth so that the claims can be narrowed during patent prosecution to avoid close prior art.

The patent agent need not include in the patent application well-known material that would be needed in order to make a product associated with the invention. The patent agent must be very careful in his use of language in a patent application.

3. DRAWINGS:
The patent agent must prepare good visual supporting materials that describe the invention. Many patent agents would argue that the drawings are the most important part of the patent application after the claims. Some patent laws require that every claimed element be shown in a drawing. Where possible, the drawings should explain the invention in sufficient detail that reading the detailed section merely confirms in words the information provided in the drawings. In preparing the drawings the patent agent should think of the story he wants to tell and how he wants to tell it. The elements shown in a patent’s drawings are typically accompanied by a short description in words and a reference number such as “Clock 102″. The drawing section should begin with a statement indicating that the drawings are illustrative of one or more embodiments of the invention.

4. BACKGROUND:
The use of background sections varies among the world’s patent regimes. In some patent systems, the background section serves to disclose to the public the closest prior art applied against the patent application during the examination. The background Section is typically

considered prior art disclosed by the inventor. Consequently, if the applicant’s own inventive disclosure ends up in the background section, the patent examiner may cite this section in the rejection of the applicant’s claims.

A good background section should be fairly short and merely set the stage for the technical disclosure, to be provided in the detailed description section. The background section could describe the prior art at a very high level. The background section may conclude with a short, crisp statement about the shortcomings of the prior art but this must be written in a manner that does not disclose the solution to be described later in the application.

5. ABSTRACT:
The patent abstract should describe the invention very clearly in the fewest possible words. The patent agent could use a version of the first paragraph of the summary of the invention section as the abstract.

6. SUMMARY:
As pointed earlier, not all jurisdictions require a summary of the invention section. The patent agent may find himself reviewing summary sections drafted by foreign patent agents working on his client’s foreign counterpart patent application. The patent agent should understand the „ precise requirements and customary practice regarding a summary of the invention sections in the jurisdictions of interest to his clients.

Some patent agents prepare the summary of the invention section by taking each of the independent claims in the patent application and turning them into paragraphs. The advantage of this approach is that the precise words used in the claims will be guaranteed to be in the , specification. Many patent agents simply draft the summary of the invention section in a manner that highlights the important aspects of the I invention using words drawn from the application’s claims. The summary of the invention section should be one of the last parts of the patent application that the patent agent writes. In preparing the summary of the invention sections, avoid providing some sort of “big ; picture” summary that goes beyond the claims in any manner.

CS Professional Intellectual Property Rights Laws and Practices Notes