Chintan Patel ~Exemptions to Private Limited Companies as per recent MCA notification:

Exemptions to Private Limited Companies as per recent MCA notification:

1.       Holding, associate, subsidiary or fellow subsidiary will not be related party for the purpose of Section 188 (2(76)).

2.       Provision wrt Kind of share capital (Section 43) and voting rights (Section 47) will not apply if articles of private limited company so provides

3.       Number of companies in which auditors can be auditors (20 in number) will not be counted if paid up capital of private company is less than Rs.100 crores (Section 141)

4.       Section 101 to 107 and Section 109 will not apply (notice of general meeting, explanatory statement, proxies etc., which were exempt under Old Act also) if articles so provide

5.       Section 62 – minimum and maximum period for which rights issue should remain open will not be applicable if 90% of members give consent

6.       Section 62- ESOP can be given with Ordinary resolution instead of special resolution

7.       Board resolutions passed under Section 179 are not required to be filed with RoC in MGT 14

8.       Deposit of 1 lakh etc. is not required to be given (Section 160). Entire Section 160 is not applicable

9.       No need to have separate voting on the resolution for appointment of more than 1 director (Section 162)

10.   No approval of shareholders required for matters  under Section 180 (borrowing, security etc.)

11.   Interested director can participate if he/ she has disclosed his interest (Section 184)

12.   Section 185 (loan to director) will not apply if

·         no other body corporate has invested,

·         if borrowing from banks/ financial institution or any body corporate is less than twice paid-up capital or Rs.50 crores whichever is lower and

·         there is no default in repayment of such borrowing

13.   Related party can vote on the resolution (Section 188). Second Proviso will not be applicable

14.   No approval of shareholders etc. required for appointment of managerial personnel of private company and no return needs to be filed with RoC in this regard (Section 196 (4) and 196 (5) will not be applicable)

MCA Notifications

MCA has released notification dated 29th May,2015 notifying the said date as the effective date of provisions of Section 1 to 12 and  15 to 23 of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2015. All sections of the amendment act have been made effective w.e.f. 29th May, 2015 except the sections relating to Section 143 (related to 'fraud') and 177 (related to omnibus approval by audit committee) of Companies Act, 2013.
 
Five Related amendment Rules have also been released today in Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, Companies (Registration of Charges) Rules, Companies (Declaration and Payment of Dividend) Rules, Companies (Incorporation) Rules and Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules.
 
Highlights of each of the Amendment Rules are as under:
 
1. Companies (Incorporation) Second Amendment Rules, 2015 – The Incorporation Rules have also been amended by inserting a new proviso in rules 12 pursuant to which if pursuing of any objects require any Sectoral regulator's approval such as RBI, SEBI etc. then the registration or approval shall be required before pursuing the said objects and a declaration shall be required to be submitted in that behalf. This resolves a long pending confusion as to whether the RoC would require sectoral regulator's approval before approving the application for incorporation of a company. The format of license and MoA of a section 8 company is also amended in the new amendment.
2. Companies (Declaration and Payment of Dividend) Second Amendment Rules, 2015 – Sub Rule 5 of Rule 3 mandatorily requiring the setting off previous losses & depreciation not provided in previous year or years against the profits of the current year before declaration of dividend has been done away and the said sub rule has been omitted by the said amendment Rules.  
3. Companies (Registration of Charges) Amendment Rules, 2015 – In sub rule 4 of Rule 3 relating to verification of instrument / deed consisting of property situated outside India the mandatory requirement of affixation of seal of the company has been done away and now the same has been made optional.
4. Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Second Amendment Rules, 2015 – The Board Resolutions passed pursuant to section 179(3) and requiring filing with MCA pursuant to section 117(3)(g) would now neither be available for public inspection nor certified copies would be issued by RoC of such BRs filed by cos.
5. Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Second Amendment Rules, 2015 – In Sub rule 3 of Rule 5 relating to Certification of Share Certificate the mandatory requirement of affixation of seal of the company has been done away and now the same has been made optional. Further issue of Share Certificate would require signatures of atleast 2 directors authorised by Board OR by any one director as authorised by the Board and mandatorily by the Company Secretary of the Company.

Companies amendment bill passed in Rajya Sabha

Companies amendment bill passed in Rajya Sabha

Main features and relaxations are as under:

1.      No minimum capital requirement of Rs.1 lakh (in case of private company) or Rs. 5 lakh (in case of public company)

2.      Approval of shareholders under Section 188 (related party transactions) can be ordinary

3.      Transaction between holding and wholly owned subsidiaries whose accounts are consolidated and laid before general meeting are exempt from shareholders’ approval requirement is exempt from requirement of obtaining shareholders’ approval

4.      No requirement of common seal. If the company does not have common seal, authority in favour of any person by two directors or one director and company secretary, if any, will bind the Company

5.      If deposit is accepted in violation of deposit rules or the company fails to repay deposit or interest thereon the company shall, in addition to the payment of the amount of deposit or part thereof and the interest due, be punishable with fine which shall not be less than one crore rupees but which may extend to ten crore rupees; and every officer of the company who is in default shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to seven years or with fine which shall not be less than twenty-five lakh rupees but which may extend to two crore rupees, or with both. If it is proved that the officer of the company who is in default, has contravened such provisions knowingly or wilfully with the intention to deceive the company or its shareholders or depositors or creditors or tax authorities, he shall be liable for action under section 447.

6.      Exemption for loan given to wholly owned subsidiary and security or guarantee provide on behalf of subsidiary is given 185 itself (earlier exemption was through rules, subordinated regulations)

7.      Board resolutions under Section 179 which are filed with RoC, will not be public document

8.      Previous losses and depreciation will need to set off out of current year profit before declaring dividend

9.      If dividend is claimed and paid, shares in respect thereof should not be transferred to IEPF

10.  Fraud exceeding certain percentage need to be reported to Central Government. Other fraud of lesser amount need to be reported to audit committee/ board and details of frauds which are reported to audit committee/ board also need to be disclosed in directors report

11.  Audit Committee can give omnibus approval (this will be on the lines of listing agreement; but threshold and other conditions will be prescribed by Rules)

CARO

Announcement on CARO, 2003 and additional reporting under the Companies Act, 2013

ICAI has hosted an announcement on its website on 'Announcement on CARO, 2003 and additional reporting under the Companies Act, 2013', which is as follows:

"We are receiving queries from the members regarding applicability of CARO, 2003 along with Auditors' Report on financial statements of companies for the financial year 2014-15. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is working on it and has constituted a Committee for this purpose to analyse the contents of the Order to be made under section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013 for the Financial Year 2014-15. ICAI is also a member of the said committee. We are given to understand by MCA that an Order being a smaller version of CARO 2003, applicable for the financial year 2014-15, may be notified soon under section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013. However, at this juncture, to bring more clarity, this Announcement is released in consultation with the Ministry.

The Companies Act, 1956 has ceased to have effect from 01st April, 2014. As a corollary, the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2003 issued under section 227(4A) of the said Act also ceases to have effect from the said date.

Section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013 which came into force from 01st April, 2014 provides that "the Central Government may, in consultation with the National Financial Reporting Authority, by general or special order, direct, in respect of such class or description of companies, as may be specified in the order, that the auditor's report shall also include a statement on such matters as may be specified therein."

Accordingly, it may be noted that as when an Order is notified by the Central Government under section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013, the members would be required to report thereon as a part of their statutory audit reports.

Until the aforesaid Order is issued, no additional reporting under section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013 is required by the Auditors for the financial year 2014-15.

Members are advised to keep a watch on the MCA site (www.mca.gov.in) as well as the ICAI site (www.icai.org) for further announcements in this regard." Read more.

-

ANNOUNCEMENT ON CARO, 2003 AND ADDITIONAL REPORTING UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013

ANNOUNCEMENT ON CARO, 2003 AND ADDITIONAL REPORTING UNDER THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013

We are receiving queries from the members regarding applicability of CARO, 2003 along with Auditors’ Report on financial statements of companies for the financial year 2014-15. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is working on it and has constituted a Committee for this purpose to analyse the contents of the Order to be made under section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013 for the Financial Year 2014-15. ICAI is also a member of the said committee. We are given to understand by MCA that an Order being a smaller version of CARO 2003, applicable for the financial year 2014-15, may be notified soon under section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013. However, at this juncture, to bring more clarity, this Announcement is released in consultation with the Ministry. 

The Companies Act, 1956 has ceased to have effect from 01st April, 2014. As a corollary, the Companies (Auditor’s Report) Order, 2003 issued under section 227(4A) of the said Act also ceases to have effect from the said date. 

Section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013 which came into force from 01st April, 2014 provides that “the Central Government may, in consultation with the National Financial Reporting Authority, by general or special order, direct, in respect of such class or description of companies, as may be specified in the order, that the auditor’s report shall also include a statement on such matters as may be specified therein.” 

Accordingly, it may be noted that as when an Order is notified by the Central Government under section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013, the members would be required to report thereon as a part of their statutory audit reports. 

Until the aforesaid Order is issued, no additional reporting under section 143(11) of the Companies Act, 2013 is required by the Auditors for the financial year 2014-15.

Members are advised to keep a watch on the MCA site(www.mca.gov.in) as well as the ICAI site (www.icai.org)for further announcements in this regard.

~Chairman, Auditing & Assurance Standards Board

notifications dated 19th March 2015 and amended 3 rules

MCA has issued notifications dated 19th March 2015 and amended 3 rules:

1. Companies (Meeting of Board & its Powers) Amendment Rules, 2015 : Chapter 12 : 
Removed requirement of discussion of following items only by way of Resolution at the Board Meeting :
1. to take note of appointment(s) or removal(s) of one level below the Key Management Personnel, 
2. to take note of the disclosure of director’s interest and shareholding,
3. to buy, sell investments held by the company (other than trade investments), constituting five percent or more of the paid up share capital and free reserves of the investee company, 
4. to invite or accept or renew public deposits and related matters ,
5. to review or change the terms and conditions of public deposit, 
6. to approve quarterly, half yearly and annual financial statements or financial results as the case may be.
View Notification at http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/Chapter12_Rules_19032015.pdf

2. Companies (Management and Administration Rules) Amendment Rules, 2015 : Chapter 7:
'Voting through electronic means'- substituted Rule 20 by defining few terms like cut off date, electronic voting system, agency etc. and provided clarity on evoting at General meeting venue etc.
View Notification at
http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/Chapter7_Rules_19032015.pdf

3. Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Amendment Rules, 2015: Chapter 4 :
It permits 45 days to listed companies to issue duplicate share certificates, authorisation to any other person for signing share certificate even if the Company has company secretary, changes in certain time periods, etc.
View Notification at
http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/Chapter4_Rules_19032015.pdf

MCA Clarification on Loans and Advances to Employees

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS NEW DELHI GENERAL CIRCULAR NO 04/2015, Dated: March 10, 2015 To All Regional Directors, All Registrar of Companies, All Stakeholders. Subject: Clarification with regard to section 185 and 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 - loans and advances to employees-reg. This Ministry has received a number of references seeking clarification on the applicability of provisions of section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 relating to grant of loans and advances by Companies to their employees. 2. The issue has been examined and it is hereby clarified that loans and/or advances made by the companies to their employees, other than the managing or whole time directors (which is governed by section 185) are not governed by the requirements of section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013. This clarification will, however, be applicable if such loans/advances to employees are in accordance with the conditions of service applicable to employees and are also in accordance with the remuneration policy, in cases where such policy is required to be formulated. 3. This issues with the approval of the Secretary. [F.No. 1/32/2013-CL.V] (KMS Narayanan) Assistant Director

GNL-4

MCA introduces Form GNL-4 for filing addendum for rectification of defects or incompleteness

MCA vide notification dated 24th February, 2015 has made amendment in Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014 through Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Amendment Rules, 2015 and the text of the said amendment is reproduced as below:- In the Companies (Registration Offices and Fees) Rules, 2014,- In rule 10, after sub-rule (6), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely:- "7. Any further information or documents called for, in respect of application or e- form or document filed electronically with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs shall be furnished in form No. GNL4 as an addendum"

CSR rules of Companies Act

Many companies still grappling with new CSR rules of Companies Act

Realty major DLF, in its 2008 annual report, identified sponsoring the Indian Premier League as part of its responsibility as a corporate citizen. Now, many would believe that the new legislation under the Companies Act
, 2013, has removed many of the loose connotations associated with corporate social responsibility
 (CSR), but the fact remains that companies are still grappling with the new rules that are binding from the current fiscal.

Companies with a net worth of Rs 500 crore, or a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore, or net profit of Rs 5 crore, need to spend at least 2 per cent of their average net profit for the immediately preceding three financial years on CSR
 activities.

5-minute test is suggested to filter out risky companies:

n5-minute test is suggested to filter out risky companies:

Auditor’s Opinion: Read the Auditor’s Opinion in the 10-K to make sure that it is a “going concern” and that the financial statements “present fairly, in all material respects, … in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted…”.

Lawsuits: Read footnotes for legal proceedings that can seriously harm the company. Stay away if you don’t understand the full impact of a lawsuit.

Unusual losses: Check how often the company reported unusual losses (e.g. bad debt, inventory write-downs, severance payments to laid-off workers, etc.) in the last several years.

Earnings restatements: Almost every major financial disaster was preceded by an earnings restatement. Make sure the company has not restated in the last several years.

Intangibles assets ratio: [(Goodwill + other intangibles) / Total assets] should be < 20%. Intangibles can be impaired and quickly disappear from the balance sheet. In credit crunch times, intangibles are hard to sell. Large intangibles are also a sign of management overpaying for acquisitions.

Debt-to-equity ratio: [(Sum of all interest-bearing debt including working capital lines of credit, short-term debt, long-term debt, and capital leases) / Shareholders’ equity] should be <= 75%.

Revenue growth: Look for revenue growth of >= 30% over the last 5 years (cumulative, not annual figure). Best revenue growth comes from increase in units sold, followed by price increases.

Stock-based compensation ratio: [Stock-based compensation / accrual profits] <= 15%. This measures how much of the profit goes to employees rather than shareholders.

Short ratio: [Number of shares short / Float] <= 15%. If more than 15%, understand why and determine if that is justified.

Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2014

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, today approved the introduction of the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2014 in Parliament to make certain amendments in the Companies Act, 2013. 

The Companies Act, 2013 (Act) was notified on 29.8.2013. Out of 470 sections in the Act, 283 sections and 22 sets of Rules corresponding to such sections have so far been brought into force. In order to address some issues raised by stakeholders such as Chartered Accountants and professionals, following amendments in the Act have been proposed: 

1. Omitting requirement for minimum paid up share capital, and consequential changes. (For ease of doing business) 

2. Making common seal optional, and consequential changes for authorization for execution of documents. (For ease of doing business) 

3. Prescribing specific punishment for deposits accepted under the new Act. This was left out in the Act inadvertently. (To remove an omission) 

4. Prohibiting public inspection of Board resolutions filed in the Registry. (To meet corporate demand) 

5. Including provision for writing off past losses/depreciation before declaring dividend for the year. This was missed in the Act but included in the Rules. 

6. Rectifying the requirement of transferring equity shares for which unclaimed/unpaid dividend has been transferred to the IEPF even though subsequent dividend(s) has been claimed. (To meet corporate demand) 

7. Enabling provisions to prescribe thresholds beyond which fraud shall be reported to the Central Government (below the threshold, it will be reported to the Audit Committee). Disclosures for the latter category also to be made in the Board’s Report. (Demand of auditors) 

8. Exemption u/s 185 (Loans to Directors) provided for loans to wholly owned subsidiaries and guarantees/securities on loans taken from banks by subsidiaries. (This was provided under the Rules but being included in the Act as a matter of abundant caution). 

9. Empowering Audit Committee to give omnibus approvals for related party transactions on annual basis. (Align with SEBI policy and increase ease of doing business) 

10. Replacing ‘special resolution’ with ‘ordinary resolution’ for approval of related party transactions by non-related shareholders. (Meet problems faced by large stakeholders who are related parties) 

11. Exempt related party transactions.  holding companies and wholly owned subsidiaries from the requirement of approval of non-related shareholders. (corporate demand) 

12. Bail restrictions to apply only for offence relating to fraud u/s 447. (Though earlier provision is mitigated, concession is made to Law Ministry &  Winding Up cases to be heard by 2-member Bench instead of a 3-member Bench. (Removal of an inadvertent error) 

14. Special Courts to try only offences carrying imprisonment of two years or more. (To let magistrate try minor violations).      

http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=112434

Company Law Settlement Scheme (CLSS) further extended

Ministry has, on consideration of 2014) upto31st December. 2014.
Ci requests received from various stakeholders, has decided to extend the Company Law Settlement Scheme (CLSS rcular NO 44/2014 DAted 14.11.2014 

Amendment to seventh Schedule (CSR)

Amendment to seventh Schedule (CSR):
to add sanitation and 'Swachh Bharat Mission' MCA today vide its notification dated 24th October, 2014 amended Seventh Schedule to include
'sanitation', 'Swachh Bharat Mission', 'cleaning of water and
Ganga' as a part of CSR activity.

e Form ADT-1

New e-Form ADT-1

New features/ Options of e-form ADT-1 introduced by Ministry of Corporate Affairs

·         Provide whether company is falling  under any class of Companies as per Section 139(2).

·         Whether Joint Auditors have been appointed - Provide Whether joint auditors have been appointed. If yes is selected then provide the value for Number of auditor(s) appointed shall be greater than 1.

·         Period of account for which appointed - Please mention the "From" and "To" date for the period for which auditor is appointed.

·         Number of financial year(s) to which appointment relates - Please provide the Number of financial year(s) to which appointment relates.

·         Whether the appointment of auditor is within the limits of twenty companies as specified in sub section 3(g) of section 141 - Please provide Whether the appointment of auditor is within the limits of twenty companies.

·         Specify the tenure of previous appointment(s) of the auditor or auditor's firm or its member in the same company in which audit was conducted or is functioning (excluding previous years having break of five or more years as specified in Rule 6) - Please provide the tenure of previous appointment(s) of the auditor or auditor's firm or its member in the same company in which audit was conducted or is functioning in number of financial year(s). Please provide details as Person appointed as auditor, financial start date and financial end date of his tenure

·         Manadatory Attachmetns:

Ø  Copy of the intimation sent by company

Ø  Copy of written consent given by auditor;

Ø  Copy of resolution passed by the company;

NOTE:

v  The e-Form will be auto approved (STP).

v  Now it's mandatory for the companies to attach the above mentioned documents with e-form ADT-1.

v  Its mandatory to mention Number of financial year(s) to which appointment relate.

Raising no. Of partners in LLP

(Raising of number of partners in CA Firm with reference to the provisions of Companies Act, 2013. - ICAI)
The Council of the Institute has clarified that the earlier restriction of maximum of 20 partners permitted for firms under section 11 of the Companies act, 1956 is no more applicable to the firms as Section 464 of the Companies Act, 2013 has been notified w.e.f 01.04.2014 wherein sub-section (1) provides for a maximum number of partners permissible for business firms at 100 and sub-section (2) provides that nothing in sub section (1) shall apply to an association or partnership, if it is formed by professionals who are governed by special Acts.

Accordingly, as per proviso to the said section, Chartered Accountants firms are now allowed to be registered/reconstituted with more than 20 partners w.e.f 01.04.2014 under the Indian Partnership Act as in the case of a firm under the Limited Liability Partnership

MCA-Amendment to Schedule II & Clarification AS 10

 

Amendment to Schedule II of the Companies Act 2013

MCA has further amended Schedule II of the Companies Act 2013 with regards to useful life, residual value and component accounting. 

With regards useful life and residual value the revised requirements are;

 

"The useful life of an asset shall not ordinarily be different from the useful life specified in Part C and the residual value of an asset shall not be more than five per cent. of the original cost of the asset:

 

Provided that where a company adopts a useful life different from what is specified in Part C or uses a residual value different from the limit specified above, the financial statements shall disclose such difference and provide justification in this behalf duly supported by technical advice" 

With regards component accounting the revised requirements are;

 

"(a) Useful life specified in part c of the schedule is for whole of the asset and where cost of a part of the asset is significant to total cost of the asset and useful life of that part is different from the useful life of the remaining asset, useful life of that significant part shall be determined separately.

 

(b) The requirement under sub-paragraph (a) shall be voluntary in respect of the financial year commencing on or after the 1st April, 2014 and mandatory for financial statements in respect of financial years commencing on or after the 1st April, 2015." 

The provisions relating to transitional provisions have also been amended. The revised language in paragraph 7 sub-paragraph (b) reads as below.

 
"after retaining the residual value, may be recognised in the opening balance of retained earnings where the remaining useful life of an asset is nil." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCA - Clarification regarding Accounting Standards (AS) 10 - Capitalization of Cost

MCA after receiving number of representations seeking clarifications on capitalization of costs in cases of Competitive Bid power projects has vide General Circular No. 35/2014 dated 27th August 2014 issued a Clarification regarding Accounting Standards (AS) 10 - Capitalization of Cost. The text of the same is reproduced as below :-

1.    Accounting Standards AS-10 and AS-16 prescribe the principles of capitalization of various costs based on the underlying concept that only such expenditure should be capitalized as form a part of the cost of fixed assets which increase the worth of the assets. Cost incurred during the extended delay in commencement of commercial production after the plant is otherwise ready does not increase the worth of fixed assets. Such costs cannot, therefore, be capitalized.

2.    Accounting Standard AS 16, inter alia provides guidance with regard to part capitalization where some units of a project are complete. In case one of the units of the project is ready for commercial production and is capable of being used while construction continues for the other units, costs should be capitalized in relation to that part once the part is ready for commercial production.

It is further clarified that AS 10 and AS 16 are applicable irrespective of whether the power projects are 'Cost Plus projects' or 'Competitive Bid projects'.

Company Law Settlement Scheme (CLSS), 2014

Announcement of Company Law Settlement Scheme (CLSS), 2014 vide General Circular No. 34/2014 dated 12th August 2014 One Time Opportunity for Defaulting Companies and Its Directors

McA Updates

MCA has issued two very important updates:

• Amendment in the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules
• Companies (Removal of Difficulties) Sixth Order, 2014

The details are given below:

 

Amendment in the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules

 MCA vide notification dated 24th July 2014 has amended the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules 2014 through the Companies (Management and Administration) Second Amendment Rules, 2014. The necessary details of the system are given below:

1. In rule 9, after sub-rule (3), the following proviso shall be inserted, namely:-
2. "Provided that nothing contained in this rule shall apply in relation to a trust which is created, to set up a Mutual Fund or Venture Capital Fund or such other fund as may be approved by the Securities and Exchange Board of India".
3. Text of Rule no 9(3) is given below
4. "9. Declaration in respect of beneficial interest in any shares.-
5. (1) A person whose name is entered in the register of members of a company as the holder of shares in that company but who does not hold the beneficial interest in such shares (hereinafter referred to as ("the registered owner"), shall file with the company, a declaration to that effect in Form No.MGT.4 in duplicate, within a period of thirty days from the date on which his name is entered in the register of members of such company:
6. Provided that where any change occurs in the beneficial interest in such shares, the registered owner shall, within a period of thirty days from the date of such change, make a declaration of such change to the company in Form No.MGT.4 in duplicate.
7. (2) Every person holding and exempted from furnishing declaration or acquiring a beneficial interest in shares of a company not registered in his name (hereinafter referred to as "the beneficial owner") shall file with the company, a declaration disclosing such interest in Form No. MGT.5 in duplicate, within beneficial interest in the shares of the company:
8. Provided that where any change occurs in the beneficial interest in such shares, the beneficial owner shall, within a period of thirty days from the date of such change, make a declaration of such change to the company in Form No.MGT.5 in duplicate.
9. (3) Where any declaration under section 89 is received by the company, the company shall make a note of such declaration in the register of members and shall file, within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of declaration by it, a return in Form No.MGT.6 with the Registrar in respect of such declaration with fee."
10. in rule 13,-
1. the words "either value or volume of the shares" shall be omitted;
2. the Explanation shall be omitted.
3. Text of Rule no 13 is given below
4. "13. Return of changes in shareholding position of promoters and top ten shareholders.-
5. Every listed company shall file with the Registrar, a return in Form No.MGT.10 along with the fee with respect to changes relating to either increase or decrease of two percent, or more in the shareholding position of promoters and top ten shareholders of the company in each case, either value or volume of the shares, within fifteen days of such change.
6. Explanation.- For the purpose of this sub-rule, the "change" means increase or decrease by two percent or more in the shareholding of each of the promoters and each of the top ten shareholders of the company."
11. In rule 23, in sub-rule (1), for the words "not less than five lakh rupees", the words "not more than five lakh rupees" shall be substituted;
12. Text of Rule no 23 is given below
13. "23. Special Notice.-
14. (1) A special notice required to be given to the company shall be signed, either individually or collectively by such number of members holding not less than one percent of total voting power or holding shares on which an aggregate sum of not less than five lakh rupees has been paid up on the date of the notice."
15. In rule 27, in sub-rule (1) and in the Explanation, for the word "shall", the word "may" shall be substituted.
16. Text of Rule no 27 is given below
17. "27. Maintenance and inspection of document in electronic form.-
18. (1) Every listed company or a company having not less than one thousand shareholders, debenture holders and other security holders, shall maintain its records, as required to be maintained under the Act or rules made there under, in electronic form.
19. Explanation.- For the purposes of this sub-rule, it is hereby clarified that in case of existing companies, data shall be converted from physical mode to electronic mode within six months from the date of notification of provisions of section 120 of the Act."
20. The aforesaid amendment relating to maintenance of records in electronic format comes as major relief to the corporates , who were facing various difficulties in finding solutions for converting their existing data in electronic form. Moreover there were also various confusions relating to the period for which the data needs to be converted.

 

---

Companies (Removal of Difficulties) Sixth Order, 2014

MCA has issued the 6th ROD order dated 24th July. The ROD deals with definition of the term "related party" under section 2 of the Companies Act 2013 and provides relief for the difficulty arising due to absence of the word "relative" from certain clause of the definition resulting in disharmonious interpretation. As per the ROD, in section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013, in clause (76), in sub-clause (iv), after the word "manager", the word "or his relative" shall be inserted. Relevant text of the Section 2(76) is given below: 2(76) "related party", with reference to a company, means—

1. a director or his relative;
2. a key managerial personnel or his relative;
3. a firm, in which a director, manager or his relative is a partner;
4. a private company in which a director or manager is a member or director;
5. a public company in which a director or manager is a director or holds along with his relatives, more than two per cent. of its paid-up share capital;
6. 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;
7. 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;
8. any company which is—
1. a holding, subsidiary or an associate company of such company; or
2. a subsidiary of a holding company to which it is also a subsidiary:
such other person as may be prescribed;

Alert on Section 158 of Companies Act,2013

DIN to be mentioned with Director's Signature (Section 158)

Now, Director's name & DIN (Director Identification Number) has to be mentioned with their signature on all the documents to be signed in the capacity of director.

PENALTY: – Company and every officer of the company who is in default or such other person shall be punishable with fine which may extend to Rs. 10,000/- and where the contravention is continuing one, with a further fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000/- for every day after the first during which the contravention continues.

IMMEDIATE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN:-

One should ensure that DIN is written, wherever he is signing as Director of the Company.

Generally its observed that Directors don't mention DIN even on Papers, Returns, Balance Sheet, Annual Return etc. they are filing with ROC, CLB.

EXTRACT OF SECTION 158 OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013

Section 158 – Obligation to indicate Director Identification Number

Every person or company, while furnishing any return, information or particulars as are required to be furnished under this Act, shall mention the Director Identification Number in such return, information or particulars in case such return, information or particulars relate to the director or contain any reference of any director.

Source: Taxguru

MCA vide circular no 23/2014 dated 17th July 2014

MCA vide circular no 23/2014 dated 17^th July 2014 has issued various clarifications on one of the most of the argumentative section under the Companies Act 2013 i.e. section 188.

Highlights of the clarifications issued are given below:

Voting by related parties in general meeting

As per second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 188 no member of the company shall vote on a special resolution to approve the contract or arrangement (referred to in the first proviso), if such a member is a related party.
It is clarified that 'related party' referred above has to be construed with reference only to the contract or arrangement for which the said special resolution is being passed. Thus, the term 'related party' in the above context refers only to such related party as may be a related party in the context of the contract or arrangement for which the said special resolution is being passed.
But the above clarification will still not provide any solution to the problem faced by the private companies where the directors and shareholders are generally common and are related to each other.

Applicability of Section 188 to corporate restructuring, amalgamations etc.

It is clarified that transactions arising out of Compromises, Arrangements and Amalgamations dealt with under specific provisions of the Companies Act, 1956/Companies Act, 2013, will not attract the requirements of section 188 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Requirement of fresh approvals for past contracts under Section 188.

A very common issue of debate was related to the status of contracts entered into by companies, after making necessary compliances under Section 297 of the Companies Act, 1956, which already came into effect before the commencement of Section 188 of the Companies Act, 2013. Whether any fresh approval was required under section 188 or not for such contracts?
As per the clarification, no fresh approval will be required for aforesaid mentioned contracts u/s 188 till the expiry of the original term of such contracts. But if any modification in such contract is made on or after 1^st April, 2014, the requirements under section 188 will have to be complied with.