05 June 2014

Representation on Companies Act,2013


Companies Act Needs Comprehensive Review: CII President
Jun 04, 2014

CII has called for a comprehensive review of the Companies Act 2013 and Companies Rules, 2014 issued thereunder. "Due to the hurried pace in which the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies Rules, 2014 were implemented, the industry barely got an opportunity to absorb and understand the provisions or their impact in their entirety. Many new concepts are being introduced in the legislation for the first time, and practices with respect to these need to be allowed to evolve over time. However, the rush to notify the Act has introduced disruptive features making it harder for corporates to ensure compliance", said Mr Ajay Shriram, President, CII, referring to the fact that the final set of Rules were released in the last week of March 2014 to be implemented from April 1, 2014.

Mr Shriram further added that "the Government needs to trust Industry. One or two incidence of corporate malfeasance should not lead to mistrust of the entire spectrum of corporate India and should not make normal business activities difficult. While the country is looking to improve its image after a series of setbacks like retrospective changes to tax laws, poor economic conditions, etc, an unclear and cumbersome Companies Act would make things worse. India already ranks very low in terms of ease of doing business and the new act will further add to the cost and complications of doing business".

In absence of any unambiguous clarifications from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, companies are resorting to different interpretations of the provisions. There is no uniform interpretation of even items of ordinary business such as appointment of Independent Directors. CII has made detailed representation to the Government on the subject. Some of the key issues highlighted include:

One, clarity is required vis-à-vis transitional provisions. For example, while the Act provides transitional period of one year for the appointment of independent directors, constitution of Audit Committee and Nomination & Remuneration Committees is mandatory with effect from 1 April 2014. The two requirements need to be aligned.

Two, Directors of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee are expected to prescribe the criteria for evaluation of all directors; carry out evaluation of every director's performance and recommend the appointment and removal of directors. It is also required to lay down remuneration policies. Provisions such as this could make board's functioning difficult resulting in break-down of trust and too much caution. The Act should lay down specific and objective parameters in this regard.

Three, provisions pertaining to Related Party Transactions indirectly seeks to vest power in minority in most of cases which is against the fundamental principle of shareholders' democracy and majority rule. Legislation should balance interests of multiple stakeholders and equity must apply to both big and small shareholders to avoid misuse of the provisions by any class – majority or minority Further, the compliance requirement to obtain prior approval of audit committee for all related party transactions is too onerous and may result in Audit Committees not being able to give due focus to key items. .

Further, transactions between a holding company and its 100% subsidiary does not compromise interests of any stakeholders. However, it still has to comply with all procedural requirements as transactions with other parties.

Four, a careful review of the mandate of the Audit Committee is also required.  It is for the auditors to monitor and confirm the effectiveness of the systems, processes and controls to the Audit Committee. A reverse obligation on the Audit Committee is clearly unwarranted. Requiring the Audit Committee to evaluate risk management system is also unreasonable.

Five, corporates should be allowed adequate legroom to comply with the CSR provision in a self-responsible manner. Incidental and supplementary activities even if related to Company's business should be allowed as CSR so long as they fall in the activities specified in schedule VII. Onerous provisions would hold back innovation, defeat legislative intent and shift the focus from 'comply with conscience' to 'tick-box compliance.' Government had in fact assured that it will authorize the Boards to choose the scope of CSR activities as it deems fit – this power has not been given in the Act as of now.

Six, private companies which are neither subsidiaries of listed companies nor have substantial borrowings from banks or financial institutions should be exempted from certain provisions of the Act. Such companies should not be treated at par with other public interest entities.

Seven, applicability of the requirement of rotation of auditors for companies other than listed companies is also prescribed under the Act. CII strongly suggests that private companies and public companies which do not have substantial public funding be exempted from this requirement.

In addition to the above, there are several inconsistencies between the Act and Rules and at times within the Act itself. CII has highlighted these anomalies in its detailed representation.

CII has all along underscored the need for ensuring that the new law aims at progression and development of business instead of impeding it. Law needs to contemplate and weigh up the interests not just of stakeholders but also take forward the business objects of the corporates. At a time when the situation warrants decentralisation of decision making to lower levels, the new act is proposing more centralization at Board levels. 

CII hopes that the new government would take into consideration the difficulties being faced by corporates and take corrective steps in consultation with all 



04 June 2014

PF Contribution capped at Rs.6,500

The Provident Fund Office has allowed companies to cap their monthly Provident Fund contribution to employees at Rs. 6,500. At present, companies contribute an amount equal to at least 12 per cent of an employee's basic salary towards his/her PF. 
 
Now, when an employer deducts and deposits Employees' PF contributions upon more than the prescribed salary, it can be reduced to Rs. 6,500 per month and in that event, section 12 of the Employees' Provident Funds & Mis­cellaneous Provisions Act providing bar for not reducing wages will not be attracted unless the terms of the employment specifically provide so.
 
The full text of the circular is enclosed.
 
Hope you find the update useful.
 
Note: The above update is just for reference.  User discretion and professional assistance is highly recommended before acting on the above.

 

LRS Limit Increased to USD 125,000


Date: Jun 03, 2014
Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for resident individuals-Increase in the limit from USD 75,000 to USD 125,000
RBI/2013-14/624
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.138
June 3, 2014
To
All Category – I Authorised Dealer Banks
Madam/Sir,
Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for resident individuals-Increase in the limit from USD 75,000 to USD 125,000
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to the A.P.(DIR Series) Circular No 24 dated August 14, 2013 and the subsequent clarifications issued vide A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No 32 dated September 04, 2013 regarding the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) for Resident Individuals (the Scheme).
2. As indicated in paragraph 13 of the Second Bi-Monthly Monetary Statement, 2014-15, it has now been decided to enhance the existing limit of USD 75,000 per financial year (April-March) to USD 125,000 with immediate effect. Accordingly, AD Category –I banks may now allow remittances up to USD 125,000 per financial year, under the Scheme, for any permitted current or capital account transaction or a combination of both.
3. The Scheme should not be used for making remittances for any prohibited or illegal activities such as margin trading, lottery, etc.
4. All other terms and conditions shall remain unchanged.
5. AD-Category I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned.
6. The directions contained in this Circular have been issued under Section 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1992 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions/approvals, if any, required under any other law.
Yours faithfully,
(C D Srinivasan)
Chief General Manager
 

02 June 2014

TDS Credit-Interest and Cost Payable


Assessee cannot be denied credit for TDS on the ground of Form 26AS mismatch because he is not at fault. Non-grant of TDS credit causes harassment, inconvenience & makes the assessee feel cheated. Dept to pay interest + costs of Rs. 25,000

The assessee filed a return in which he claimed a refund of Rs. 2.32 lakhs on account of excess TDS by the Government department. The return was processed by the Central Processing Centre (CPC) of the Income-tax Department at Bangalore and a refund of only Rs.43,740 was issued. No intimation was given to the assessee as to why the balance amount of Rs.1.88,630 was not refundable. The assessee filed an application u/s 154 for rectification of the mistake and asked for refund of the balance amount. As there was no response from the department despite several reminders, the assessee filed a writ petition in the High Court. HELD by the High Court allowing the Petition:

(i) The difficulty faced by the tax payers relating to credit of TDS was considered by the Delhi High Court in Court On its Own Motion vs. CIT 352 ITR 273 and the CBDT was directed to issue directions with regard to giving credit of unmatched and mismatched TDS certificates. Pursuant thereto, the CBDT issued Instruction No.5 of 2013 dated 8.7.2013 directing that where the assessee approaches the AO with requisite details and particulars in the form of TDS certificate as evidence against any mismatch amount the AO would verify whether or not the deductor had made payment of the TDS in the government account and, in the event, the payment had been made, credit of the same would be given to the assessee.

(ii) On facts, no effort has been made by the AO to verify whether the deductor had made the payment of the TDS in the government account. On the other hand, the Income-tax department has shown helplessness in not refunding the amount on the sole ground that the details of the TDS did not match with the details shown in Form 26AS. There is a presumption that the deductor has deposited TDS amount in the government account especially when the deductor is a government department. By denying the benefit of TDS to the Petitioner because of the fault of the deductor causes not only harassment and inconvenience, but also makes the assessee feel cheated. There is no fault on the part of the Petitioner. The fault, if any, lay with the deductor. The mismatching is not attributable to the assessee. The department must refund the amount within 3 weeks with interest. The department must also pay costs of Rs. 25,000 to the Petitioner. 


01 June 2014

CBDT released ITR FORM ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6, ITR-7 for A.Y. 2014-15

CBDT released ITR FORM ITR-3, ITR-4, ITR-5, ITR-6, ITR-7 for A.Y. 2014-15.
Notification  No. 28/2014, Dt 30.05.2014
http://law.incometaxindia.gov.in/DIT/Notifications.aspx

31 May 2014

SIT

Union Cabinet nods to constitution of SIT on black monies stashed abroad

May 28, 2014

CONSTITUTION OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATING TEAM (SIT) TO IMPLEMENT DECISION OF SUPREME COURT ON LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY STASHED ABROAD

PRESS RELEASE, DATED 27-5-2014

The Union Cabinet today approved constitution of Special Investigating Team (SIT) to implement the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court on large amounts of money stashed abroad by evading taxes or generated through unlawful activities.

The SIT will be headed by Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.B. Shah, former Judge of the Supreme Court as Chairman and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Arijit Pasayat, former Judge as Vice Chairman.

The Members of the High Level Committee will comprise:

i.

 

Secretary, Department of Revenue

ii.

 

Deputy Governor, Reserve Bank of India,

iii.

 

Director (IB),

iv.

 

Director, Enforcement

v.

 

Director, CBI

vi.

 

Chairman, CBDT,

vii.

 

Director General, Narcotics Control Bureau

viii.

 

Director General, Revenue Intelligence

ix.

 

Director, Financial Intelligence Unit

x.

 

Director, Research and Analysis Wing and

xi.

 

Joint Secretary (FT&IR-1), CBDT

The SIT has been charged with the responsibility and duties of investigation, initiation of proceedings and prosecution in cases of Hasan Ali and other matters involving unaccounted money. SIT shall have jurisdiction in the cases where investigations have already commenced or are pending or awaiting to be initiated or have been completed. SIT will prepare a comprehensive action plan including creation of necessary institutional structure that could enable the country to fight the battle against unaccounted money. The SIT should report to the court the status of work from time to time.

30 May 2014

Revised TDS returns to be accepted without Original Provisional receipts

Revised TDS returns to be accepted without Original Provisional receipts wef 01.06.14

May 28
Circular No: NSDL/TIN/2014/024                                                                                               

Subject: Revised procedure for acceptance of e-TDS/TCS correction statements and upload of scanned documents to TIN Central System

Attention of all TIN Facilitation Centers (TIN-PCs) is invited to the procedure of acceptance of e-TDS/TCS correction statements and upload of scanned images as provided in chapter 6 and 7 of the TIN-PC Operating Manual (TOM).

As per approval from Income Tax Department, the procedure for acceptance of e-TDS/TCS correction statement stands revised. The same is intimated vide this circular. The revised procedure applicable with effect From June 1, 2014 is as per table below:

Sr. No. Documents to be accepted along with e- TDS/TCS correction statements – Existing procedure
1 Physical Form 27A Physical Form 27A
2 Statement Statistics Report (SSR)
3 Copy of Provisional Receipt of Original Statement
 In view of the above, TIN-PCs are required to accept e-TDS/TCS correction statements from Deductors/Collectors with .FVU file and duly signed Form 27A (generated from the latest File Validation Utility). The copy of Original Provisional Receipt and Statement Statistic Report need not be accepted from Deductor/Collector.

The verification of control total screen has to be carried out on the basis of information present on Form 27A.

Further, the revised procedure for upload of scanned images of e-TDS/TCS correction Statements, is as per the following table wherein e-TDS/TCS statements are accepted on or after June 1, 2014.

Note: For e-TDS/TCS statements accepted upto May 31, 2014, the scanned images of Form 27A and Provisional Receipt needs to be scanned and uploaded as referred vide circular number NSDL/T1N/2011/009 dated May 6, 2011.

The version of TOM after the above said updates is 5.10. The version control sheet is attached as Anneyure A

In case of any clarifications, contact TIN Support Desk on 022-24994201.

For and on behalf of

NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited

Bushan Maideo

Senior Vice President

29 May 2014

Sharing of Asset Details from Wealth Tax Returns with PSBs - CBDT Instructions

Sharing of Asset Details from Wealth Tax Returns with PSBs - CBDT Instructions

IN a meeting on the performance of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) taken by Finance Minister on 5.3.2014, the PSBs raised concern that the details of assets as available in the Wealth Tax Returns of loan defaulters are not being shared by Income Tax Department with the Banks despite repeated requests.

Section 42B of the Wealth Tax Act 1957 states:

42B Disclosure of information respecting assessees:- Where a person makes an application to the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner in the prescribed form for any information relating to any assessee in respect of any assessment made under this Act, the Chief Commissioner or Commissioner may, if he is satisfied that it is in the public interest so to do, furnish or cause to be furnished the information asked for in respect of that assessment only and his decision in this behalf shall be final and shall not be called in question in any court of law.

CBDT observes in a letter to all the Principal Chief Commissioners that in view of the fact that every Return of Wealth filed by the assessee is subject to assessment under section 16 of the Wealth Tax Act, the information contained therein qualifies for being supplied u/s 42B of the Wealth Tax Act, provided the CCWT/CWT is satisfied that supply of such information to PSBs is in public interest.

CBDT in this context clarifies that information on assets of loan defaulters to enable recovery of loans by PSBs from such defaulters is in public interest.

CBDT further clarifies that such information may be provided in respect of the borrower/mortgager/guarantor of the loan only. At the time of supply of such information a confidentiality clause may be included specifying that such information be used only for the purpose of recovery of loan and will not be shared with any other person/agency. An undertaking to this effect shall be obtained from the Bank (to be signed by an officer not below the rank of the Manager of the Branch concerned) before furnishing the information.

At the same time CBDT wants to protect its own interests. The Board directs that in order to ensure that the tax dues of the Department against the defaulter (if any) are safeguarded, an undertaking be obtained from the PSB to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the jurisdictional CIT of the loan defaulter before appropriation of the surplus amount recovered from sale of immovable/movable asset of the defaulter, information in respect of which is shared, after adjustment of its loan dues.

CBDT wants the Principal Chief Commissioners to bring these guidelines to the notice of the Chief Commissioners, DGs and Commissioners of their charges.

CBDT Letter in F. No. 328/10/2014-WT, Dated: May 28, 2014

Prior approval of RBI in cases of acquisition/ transfer of control of NBFCs.

RBI CIRCULAR Regarding Prior approval of RBI in cases of acquisition/ transfer of control of NBFCs. The prior written permission of the Reserve Bank of India shall be required for – (i) any takeover or acquisition of control of an NBFC, whether by acquisition of shares or otherwise; (ii) any merger/amalgamation of an NBFC with another entity or any merger/amalgamation of an entity with an NBFC that would give the acquirer / another entity control of the NBFC; (iii) any merger/amalgamation of an NBFC with another entity or any merger/amalgamation of an entity with an NBFC which would result in acquisition/transfer of shareholding in excess of 10 percent of the paid up capital of the NBFC. (iv) Prior written approval of the Reserve Bank would also be required before approaching the Court or Tribunal under Section 391-394 of the Companies Act, 1956 or Section 230-233 of Companies Act, 2013 seeking order for mergers or amalgamations with other companies or NBFCs.

22 May 2014

CAS can't write accounts and then audit.

FYI - CAs cannot undertake assignment of audit & accounting work together for same entity
Announcement on prohibition to undertake the assignment of audit and accounting work together for the same entity. – (20-05-2014)
No. ICAI/ESB/2014/03
It has come to the knowledge of some members that certain entities , while inviting tenders for services of chartered accountants for the assignment of statutory audit , are mentioning accounting and book keeping related works in the scope of works required to done by the auditor.
Members are hereby advised not to undertake such assignment since it is violative of the provisions of ‘Code of Ethics’ and ‘Guidance Note on Independence of Auditors’ for auditor of an entity to do book keeping work of the entity. The said prohibition in the case of Companies is further also mentioned in Section 144 of the Companies Act, 2013.

21 May 2014

PAN application revised

CBDT has revised PAN Application form 49A and 49AA wef from 16.05.2014 vide its notification no. 26/2014 , Dated- 16-5-2014. Revised Form 49A and 49AA provides option to get printed Mothers Name on PAN card.

20 May 2014

Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011

Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011

 

 

Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 2011 is an Act of the Parliament of India which provides a mechanism to investigate alleged corruption and misuse of power by public servants and also protect anyone who exposes alleged wrongdoing in government bodies, projects and offices. The wrongdoing might take the form of fraud, corruption or mismanagement. The Act will also ensure punishment for false or frivolous complaints.

The Act was approved by the Cabinet of India as part of a drive to eliminate corruption in the country';s bureaucracy and passed by the Lok Sabha on 27 December 2011.The Bill was passed by Rajya Sabha on 21 February 2014 and received the President';s assent on 9 May 2014.The Act has not come into force till now.

Intent

An Act to establish a mechanism to receive complaints relating to disclosure on any allegation of corruption or willful misuse of power or willful misuse of discretion against any public servant and to inquire or cause an inquiry into such disclosure and to provide adequate safeguards against victimization of the person making such complaint and for matters connected therewith and incidental thereto.

Salient Features

  • The Act seeks to protect whistle blowers, i.e. persons making a public interest disclosure related to an act of corruption, misuse of power, or criminal offense by a public servant.
  • Any public servant or any other person including a non-governmental organization may make such a disclosure to the Central or State Vigilance Commission.
  • Every complaint has to include the identity of the complainant.
  • The Vigilance Commission shall not disclose the identity of the complainant except to the head of the department if he deems it necessary. The Act penalizes any person who has disclosed the identity of the complainant.
  • The Act prescribes penalties for knowingly making false complaints.

19 May 2014

HC on Restaurant Service- Validity & Double Taxation

High Court on Restaurant Service

 

HC dismisses writ, upholds constitutional validity of Sec 66E(i) of Finance Act declaring service portion in activity of supply of food and drinks as "declared services"; Article 366(29-A) of Indian Constitution does not indicate subsuming of service part in sale of food, it rather separates sale of food and drinks from service; Sec 65B(44) and Sec 66E(i) only charge service tax on service part and not on sale part, which indicate exclusion of sale element from service as interpreted by SC in Associated-Hotel and Northern Caterers cases; Rejects assessee's reliance on SC ruling in K Damodarsamy, calling it irrelevant for determining Parliament's power to levy service tax on service element in sale; However, HC shows reservation in the rule quantifying fixed sum towards service and its functioning in restaurant, vis-a-vis tax under VAT Act; 40% over which service tax is charged cannot be subject to VAT; Absent provision in VAT Act to bifurcate amount between sale and service, HC advises State Govt to frame rules / issue clarification in conformity with provisions under Finance Act to avoid double taxation on same amount; Also allows assessee to object to VAT levy on service portion of bill value before VAT Authorities  : Chattisgarh HC

Case Law on Section 50B

S. 50B applies only to a "sale" for a "monetary consideration" and not to a case of "exchange" of the undertaking for shares under a s. 391/394 scheme of arrangement

The assessee transferred its Lift Division to Tiger Elevators Pvt. Ltd under a scheme of arrangement u/s 391 & 394 of the Companies Act, 1956. The transfer of the undertaking took place in exchange of preference shares and bonds issued by Tiger Elevators as per a valuation report. The assessee claimed that the transfer was not liable to tax on capital gains on the basis that there was no "cost of acquisition" of the undertaking. The AO held that the transaction was a "slump sale" as defined in s. 2(42C) and that the gains had to be computed u/s 50B. This was upheld by the CIT (A). On appeal by the assessee to the Tribunal, the Tribunal accepted the claim of the assessee. On appeal by the department to the High Court HELD dismissing the appeal:

The definition of the term "slump sale" in s. 2(42C) means the transfer of one or more undertakings as a result of the sale for a lump sum consideration without values being assigned to the individual assets and liabilities in such sale. In Motors & General Stores (P) Ltd 66 ITR 692 (SC) it was held that a "sale" meant a transfer for a monetary consideration and that an "exchange" would not amount to a "sale". On facts, scheme of arrangement shows that the transfer of the undertaking took place in exchange for issue of preference shares and bonds. Merely because there was quantification when bonds/preference shares were issued, does not mean that monetary consideration was determined and its discharge was only by way of issue of bonds/preference shares. In other words, this is not a case where the consideration was determined and decided by parties in terms of money but its disbursement was to be in terms of allotment or issue of bonds/preference shares. All the clauses read together and the entire Scheme of Arrangement envisages transfer of the Lift Division not for any monetary consideration. The Scheme does not refer to any monetary consideration for the transfer. The parties were agreed that the assessee was to transfer the undertaking and take bonds/preference shares as consideration. Thus, it was a case of exchange and not a sale. Therefore, s. 2(42C) of the Act was inapplicable. If that was not applicable and was not attracted, then, s. 50B was also inapplicable. The judgement of the Delhi High Court inSRIE Infrastructure Finance Ltd 207 Taxman 74 (Del) is distinguishable on facts. There is no necessity to analyze the circumstances in which s. 50B was inserted in the statute book.

17 May 2014

RBI on ECB

 
Date: May 16, 2014
External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) from Foreign Equity Holder - Simplification of Procedure

RBI/2013-14/594
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No.130

May 16, 2014

To

All Category – I Authorised Dealer Banks

Madam/Sir,

External Commercial Borrowings (ECB) from Foreign Equity Holder - Simplification of Procedure

Attention of Authorised Dealer Category – I (AD Category – I) banks is invited to the A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 05 dated August 01, 2005 as amended from time to time relating to the External Commercial Borrowings (ECB). Attention is also invited toA. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 11 dated September 07, 2011A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 29 dated September 26, 2011, andA.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 31 dated September 04, 2013.

2. As per the extant ECB policy, ECBs from direct foreign equity holders (FEHs) are considered both under the automatic and the approval routes, as the case may be. ECBs from indirect equity holders and group companies and ECBs from direct FEH for general corporate purpose are, however, considered under the approval route. Further, any request for change of the ECB lender in case of FEH requires RBI's approval.

3. As a measure of simplification of the existing procedure, it has been decided to delegate powers to AD banks to approve the following cases under the automatic route:

  1. Proposals for raising ECB by companies belonging to manufacturing, infrastructure, hotels, hospitals and software sectors from indirect equity holders and group companies.

  2. Proposals for raising ECB for companies in miscellaneous services from direct / indirect equity holders and group companies. Miscellaneous services mean companies engaged in training activities (but not educational institutes), research and development activities and companies supporting infrastructure sector. Companies doing trading business, companies providing logistics services, financial services and consultancy services are, however, not covered under the facility.

  3. Proposals for raising ECB by companies belonging to manufacturing, infrastructure, hotels, hospitals and software sectors for general corporate purpose.ECB for general corporate purpose (which includes working capital financing) is, however, permitted only from direct equity holder.

  4. Proposals involving change of lender when the ECB is from FEH – direct / indirect equity holders and group company.

4. All other terms and conditions stipulated in the relative circulars shall continue to be applicable.

5. Other aspects of the ECB policy such as eligible borrower, recognised lender, permitted end-use, amount of ECB, all-in-cost, average maturity period, pre-payment, ECB liability:equity ratio, refinance of existing ECB, reporting arrangements, etc. shall remain unchanged.

6. These changes will come into force with immediate effect.

7. AD Category - I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers.

8. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.

Yours faithfully,

(Rudra Narayan Kar)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge



16 May 2014

Dena Bank concurrent Audit

Applications for concurrent audit of Dena Bank for 2014-15
http://www.denabank.co.in/viewdetail.jsp?lang=0&did=139972780868505EA0AEA3057FD38A5D83AFAEE96DB32&id=0,47

15 May 2014

NSE-BSE Circuit Rules

NSE-BSE Circuit Rules & Election Counting Timings for 16th may.

If 10% circuit till 1pm then mkt shuts for 45 minutes if 15% circuit till 1pm then mkt shuts for 15 minutes if 20% circuit anytime, mkt closed for the day if 10%circuit from 1-2.3 pm then mkt shuts for 15mins if 15% circuit from 1-2.30 pm then mkt shuts for 45mins if 20% circuit anytime, mkt closed for the day. post 2.30pm , if 10% circuit mkt will continue trading but if 15% post 2.30 pm then closed the day.

### election counting for general election 2014 due to start on 8.00 am on may 16 across 989 counting centres. Trends will be in by 11 am on Friday, final results on 4 pm

Bombay HC on CA 2013


Important Judgement of Hon'ble Bombay High Court with respect to Companies Act, 2013

 

The Hon''ble Bombay High Court has made several important and interesting observations with respect to the Companies Act, 2013, recently on 8th May 2014, in the matter of Godrej Industries Limited.


The issue for consideration before the court was whether in view of the provisions of Section 110 of the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI Circular dated 21st May 2013, a resolution for approval of a Scheme of Amalgamation can be passed by a majority of the equity shareholders casting their votes by postal ballot, which includes voting by electronic means, in complete substitution of an actual meeting. In other words, the issue considered by the Court was whether the 2013 Act, read with various circulars and notifications, has the effect of altogether eliminating the need for an actual meeting being convened. Along with this issue, the Hon'ble High Court also discussed several other matters such as the issue of effectiveness of the rules prescribed by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs ("MCA") under the Companies Act, 2013.


Interestingly, amongst the various discussions in the Order, the Court pointed out certain grey areas that persist with respect to the interpretation of the provisions around the issue under discussion. In Para 18 of the order, the Court pointed thus


"Far too many grey areas that still persist — the SEBI circular of 17th April 2014 is apparently differed; the Management & Administration Rules are not yet gazetted; Sections 230 and 232 of the 2013 Act are not yet brought into force; there is an apparent conflict between the requirements for a quorum coram and Section 110; it is doubtful whether Section 110 or any SEBI circular mandating exclusive voting by postal ballot can apply to a court- convened meeting.

 

Discussing the issues, and the considerations around it in much detail, the Court reached the following conclusions:

  1. The Court noted that the website of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has a link to a single scanned PDF file entitled "COMPANIES ACT 2013 - STATEMENT OF NOTIFICATION OF RULES" on its front page where about 21 rules are listed. They are all said to be effective 1st April 2014. Several of these are not yet gazette. The Court Hon'ble Judge expressed his concern as to how such rules can be made effective on a basis where a ministry simply puts up some scanned document under the signature of one of its officers but without any publication in the official gazette. The Court noted that publication is not an idle formality and has fact a well-established legal purpose. That purpose is not and cannot be achieved in such an ad-hoc manner. Therefore, the Court ruled that, till such time as these rules are gazetted, or there is some provision made for the dispensation of official gazette notification, none of the rules in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs PDF document that are not yet gazetted can be said to be in force.
  2. The Court concluded that all provisions for compulsory voting by postal ballot and by electronic voting to the exclusion of an actual meeting cannot and do not apply to court-convened meetings. At such meetings, provision must be made for postal ballots and electronic voting, in addition to an actual meeting. Electronic voting must also be made available at the venue of the meeting. Any shareholder who has cast his vote by postal ballot or by electronic voting from a remote location (other than the venue of the meeting) shall not be entitled to vote at the meeting. He or she may, however, attend the meeting and participate in those proceedings.

In addition to the above, the Court observed that effect, interpretation and implication of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the relevant SEBI circulars and notifications, to the extent that they mandate a compulsory or even optional conduct of certain items of business by postal ballot (which includes electronic voting) to the exclusion of an actual meeting are matters that require a fuller consideration. It directed that the Company Registrar shall send an authenticated copy of present order to both the learned Additional Solicitor General and to SEBI requesting them to appear before the Court when this matter is next taken up for a consideration of this issue. Further, the Court laid down that until this issue is fully heard and decided, no authority or any company should insist upon such a postal-ballot-only meeting to the exclusion of an actual meeting.



Concurrent Audit P & bank

FYI - APPLICATION FOR ASSIGNMENT OF CONCURRENT AUDIT FOR CHARTERED ACCOUNTANT FIRM IN PUNJAB & SIND BANK

for online application
https://www.psbindia.com/OnLine_Application_CCA.php

opening date : 12-05-2014
last date :26-05-2014

14 May 2014

Supreme Court on Sale and WC


Important principles on distinction between "contract for sale of goods" and "works contract" explained

A Constitutional Bench of 5 Judges of the Supreme Court had to consider whether the law laid down by a three-Judge Bench in State of A.P. v. Kone Elevators (India) Ltd (2005) 3 SCC 389 that a contract for manufacture, supply and installation of lifts in a building is a "contract for sale of goods" and not a "works contract" is correct or not. HELD by the Constitution Bench over-ruling the three-Judge Bench judgement:

(i) In the case of a "contract for sale of goods", the entire sale consideration is taxable under the sales tax or value added tax enactments of the State legislatures. In the case of a "works contract", the consideration paid for the labour and service element has to be excluded from the total consideration received and only the balance is chargeable to sales tax or value added tax;

(ii) Four concepts have clearly emerged from the numerous judgements of the Supreme Court on the point. They are (a) the works contract is an indivisible contract but, by legal fiction, is divided into two parts, one for sale of goods, and the other for supply of labour and services; (b) the concept of "dominant nature test" or, for that matter, the "degree of intention test" or "overwhelming component test" for treating a contract as a works contract is not applicable; (c) the term "works contract" as used in Clause (29A) of Article 366 of the Constitution takes in its sweep all genre of works contract and is not to be narrowly construed to cover one species of contract to provide for labour and service alone; and (d) once the characteristics of works contract are met with in a contract entered into between the parties, any additional obligation incorporated in the contract would not change the nature of the contract;

(iii) The "dominant nature test" or "overwhelming component test" or "the degree of labour and service test" are really not applicable. If the contract is a composite one which falls under the definition of works contracts as engrafted under clause (29A)(b) of Article 366 of the Constitution, the incidental part as regards labour and service pales into total insignificance for the purpose of determining the nature of the contract;

(iv) On facts, the three-Bench judgement erred in taking the view that the major component was the equipment and that the skill and labour employed for converting the main components into the end product were only incidental. The principal logic applied, i.e., the incidental facet of labour and service is not correct because in all the cases, there is a composite contract for the purchase and installation of the lift. The price quoted is a composite one for both. Various technical aspects go into the installation of the lift. There has to be a safety device. In certain States, it is controlled by the legislative enactment and the rules. In certain States, it is not, but the fact remains that a lift is installed on certain norms and parameters keeping in view numerous factors. The installation requires considerable skill and experience. The labour and service element is obvious. The preparatory work has to be done taking into consideration as to how the lift is going to be attached to the building. The nature of the contracts clearly exposit that they are contracts for supply and installation of the lift where labour and service element is involved. Individually manufactured goods such as lift car, motors, ropes, rails, etc. are the components of the lift which are eventually installed at the site for the lift to operate in the building. In constitutional terms, it is transfer either in goods or some other form. In fact, after the goods are assembled and installed with skill and labour at the site, it becomes a permanent fixture of the building. However, if there are two contracts, namely, purchase of the components of the lift from a dealer, it would be a contract for sale and similarly, if separate contract is entered into for installation, that would be a contract for labour and service. But, a pregnant one, which is a composite contract for supply and installation, has to be treated as a works contract, for it is not a sale of goods/chattel simpliciter. It is not chattel sold as chattel or, for that matter, a chattel being attached to another chattel.


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