<dhhead>Directors? Report</dhhead>
To,
The Members of
ARSS Infrastructure Projects Limited,
Presentation on the 24th Annual Report highlighting the business and
operations of the Company on a standalone and consolidated basis and the audited financial
statements for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024.
Pursuant to the Order dated 30th November, 2021 of the Hon?ble
National Company Law Tribunal, Cuttack ("NCLT Order"), Corporate Insolvency
Resolution Process ("CIR Process") has been initiated against the Company in
accordance with the provisions of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016,
("Code") and related rules and regulations issued there under with effect from
30th November, 2021 (Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process Commencement
Date). Mr. Uday Narayan Mitra (IBBI/IP A-001/IP-P00793/2017-18/11360) has been appointed
as Interim Resolution Professional ("IRP") in terms of the NCLT Order.
Subsequently COC has approved through e-voting dated 25.02.2022 as Resolution Professional
("RP") in conformity with sub section (2) of section 22 of the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
The powers of Board of Directors of the Company stand suspended
effective from the CIR Process commencement date and such powers along with the management
of affairs of the Company are vested with the RP in accordance with the provisions of
Section 17 and 23 of the Insolvency Code read with Regulation 15(2A) & (2B) of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015.
The Resolution plan submitted by SRA i.e. Ocean Capital Market Limited
which was approved by the COC with 76.67% votes but Hon?ble NCLT, Cuttack Bench has
rejected the plan on ground of resolution period was over and liquidation was initiated
against the Corporate Debtor. However, Application made by Resolution Applicant, has been
allowed by the Principal Bench of Hon?ble NCLAT, New Delhi vide its order dated
09-08-2023 by setting aside the order rejecting the resolution plan passed by the
Hon?ble NCLT, Cuttack Bench and allowed the Resolution Applicant to submit an
addendum as per the said order. Therefore, pursuant to the order of the Hon?ble NCLAT
the Resolution Applicant submitted its addendum which was approved by a majority voting of
99.36% in favour for consideration. Thereafter a fresh Application filed by the RP for
approval of the Plan on dated 18-09-2023. In terms of Section 25 of the Code, the Company
is continuing to operate as a going concern. Further, since the application for approval
of the Resolution Plan is pending adjudication before the Tribunal after reconsidering by
COC, the financial statements are being presented on a going concern basis.
1. A. Financial Highlights:
The financial highlights of the company, on standalone and consolidated
basis, for the financial year ended March 31, 2024 is summarized below. The PDF version of
the Report is also available on the Company?s website http://arssgroup.in/PDF/
AnnualReport/Annual%20Report%202023-24.pdf
( Rs In Crores)
|
|
Standalone |
Consolidated |
Particulars |
|
|
|
|
|
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
Sales |
320.87 |
402.53 |
320.87 |
402.53 |
Profit before Depreciation,
Interest and Tax |
(32.54) |
8.93 |
(32.54) |
8.92 |
Less : Depreciation |
0.95 |
0.84 |
0.95 |
0.84 |
Interest |
0.0023 |
0.52 |
0.0023 |
0.52 |
Share of net
profit or associates and joint ventures accounted using equity method |
- |
- |
0.51 |
0.52 |
Profit Before Tax |
(33.49) |
7.57 |
(32.98) |
8.08 |
Less : Tax Expenses |
|
|
|
|
a) Current Year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
b) Earlier Year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
c) Deferred Tax |
1.86 |
2.16 |
1.86 |
2.16 |
Profit/Loss After Tax |
(35.35) |
5.41 |
(34.84) |
5.92 |
Balance brought forward from previous year |
(348.42) |
(353.83) |
(356.38) |
(362.29) |
Add : Re-measurement of
defined employee benefit plans through OCI |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Amount Available for Appropriation |
(383.77) |
(348.42) |
(391.21) |
(356.38) |
Appropriations |
|
|
|
|
a) Dividend |
- |
- |
- |
- |
b) Tax on Dividend |
- |
- |
- |
- |
c) Transfer to General Reserve |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Balance Carried to Balance Sheet |
(383.77) |
(348.42) |
(391.21) |
(356.38) |
Earnings per Share (In Rs) (Weighted) Basic |
(15.54) |
2.38 |
(15.32) |
2.60 |
(Equity Shares of face value of Rs 10/- each) |
|
|
|
|
Earnings per Share (In Rs) (Weighted) Diluted |
(15.54) |
2.38 |
(15.32) |
2.60 |
(Equity Shares of face value of Rs 10/- each) |
|
|
|
|
Note: Previous years figures have been regrouped/re-classified,
wherever required.
B. Subsidiary/ Associate & Joint Venture Company
( Rs In Crores)
Particulars |
ARSS Damoh
Hirapur Tolls Pvt. Ltd. (Subsidiary Company) |
ARSS
Developers Limited (Associate Company) |
|
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
Sales |
- |
- |
0.15 |
0.31 |
Profit before Depreciation, Interest and Tax |
(0.001) |
(0.016) |
0.05 |
0.05 |
Less : Depreciation |
- |
- |
0.26 |
0.26 |
Interest |
- |
- |
0.44 |
0.39 |
Profit Before Tax |
(0.001) |
(0.016) |
(0.65) |
(0.60) |
Less : Tax Expenses |
|
|
|
|
a) Current Year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
b) Earlier Year |
- |
- |
- |
- |
c) Deferred Tax |
- |
- |
0.005 |
0.005 |
Profit/Loss After Tax |
(0.001) |
(0.016) |
(0.66) |
(0.60) |
Balance brought forward from previous year |
(0.035) |
(0.019) |
(31.14) |
(30.54) |
Amount Available for Appropriation |
(0.036) |
(0.035) |
(31.80) |
(31.14) |
Appropriations |
|
|
|
|
a) Dividend |
- |
- |
- |
- |
b) Tax on Dividend |
- |
- |
- |
- |
c) Transfer to General Reserve |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Balance Carried to Balance Sheet |
(0.036) |
(0.035) |
(31.80) |
(31.14) |
Earnings per Share (In Rs) (Weighted) |
(0.00) |
(0.01) |
(1.01) |
(0.93) |
Basic (Equity Shares of face value of Rs 10/-
each) |
|
|
|
|
Earnings per Share (In Rs) (Weighted) |
(0.00) |
(0.01) |
(1.01) |
(0.93) |
Diluted (Equity Shares of face value of Rs
10/- each) |
|
|
|
|
2. Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS)
As per the requirements of notification dated 16th
February, 2015 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Standalone and
Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for the Financial Year 2023-24 have been
prepared as per Ind AS.
3. Dividend
During the year under review, No dividend has been recommended.
4. State of Company?s affairs and financial performance
ARSS is renowned name in infrastructure sector in India. The
Company is engaged into the construction services of Roads, Railways, Irrigation etc.
though the company is presently undergoing substantial financial stress and severe
liquidity constraints. Since the Company is under CIRP, it has occurred a loss of INR
33.49 Cr. (PBT). The turnover of the Company during the year is INR 320.87 crores as
compared to INR 402.52 crores in the previous financial year.
5. Details of Subsidiary, Joint Venture or Associates A. Details of
Subsidiary and Associate Companies
The Company has 1 Subsidiary, 1 Associates and 15 Joint Ventures as on
March 31, 2024. There has been no material change in the nature of the business of the
subsidiaries. During the year under review no companies have become or ceased to be
company?s subsidiary, or associate companies or Joint Ventures (JVs). A report on the
company?s subsidiary, joint ventures or associate companies as per companies Act 2013
is provided hereunder:
Sl. No |
Name of the company |
Address of the company |
CIN/GLN/ PAN |
Holding / Subsidiary
/Associate |
% of shares held/ share
in JV |
Applicable section |
1 |
ARSS Damoh- Hirapur Tolls
Private limited |
Plot No-38, Sector-A, Zone-D,
Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
U45201OR2011PTC013524 |
Subsidiary Company |
99.82% |
2 (87) |
2 |
ARSS Developers Limited |
Plot No-38, Sector-A, Zone-D,
Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
U45209OR2007PLC009201 |
Associate Company |
38.41% |
2 (6) |
B. Joint Venture (AOP)
Sl. No |
Name of the company |
Address of the
company |
CIN/GLN/ PAN |
Holding / Subsidiary/
Associate |
% of shares held/ share
in JV |
1 |
ARSS-ATLANTA (JV) |
Plot No-38,
Sector-A, Zone-D, Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAQFA8726P |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
2 |
HCIL-ADHIKARYA- ARSS (JV) |
Plot No-38,
Sector-A, Zone-D, Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAEFH3757R |
Joint Venture |
30.00% |
3 |
ARSS - SIPS (JV) |
129, Transport
Centre, Rohtak Road, Punjabi Bagh, New Delhi 110 035 |
AAEAA3620K |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
4 |
ARSS - SCPL (JV) |
Plot No-38,
Sector-A, Zone-D, Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAEAA3621J |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
5 |
ARSS - BMS (JV) |
Plot No-38,
Sector-A, Zone-D, Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAEAA4835G |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
6 |
ARSS-TECHNOCOM-
PRIYASHI ASHI (JV) |
Kamrup Chamber road, Fancy
Bazar, Guwahati-781001- Assam |
AAHAA8492L |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
7 |
ARSS-SNKI (JV) |
Plot No-38, Sector-A, Zone-D,
Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAEAA8546Q |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
8 |
ARSS-THAKUR (JV) |
Plot No-38, Sector-A, Zone-D,
Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAJAA0912F |
Joint Venture |
80.00% |
9 |
ARSS ROYAL
(JV) |
Plot No. 38, Sector-A, Zone-D,
Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 751010 |
AAJAA1996R |
Joint Venture |
75.00% |
10 |
ARSS-BDPL (JV) |
Plot No-38, Sector-A, Zone-D,
Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAJAA6181C |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
11 |
ARSS - NTLLP (JV) |
Short- Cut, P.O.- Nirjuli,
Dist- Papumpare, Pin-791109, Arunachal Pradesh. |
AAJAA9902B |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
12 |
SCPL - ARSS (JV) |
OU-522, 5th Floor, Esplanade
Commercial Development, Unit No. 32, 721, Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar -751010 |
ABLAS3263J |
Joint Venture |
20.00% |
13 |
ARSS - KKMPL (JV) |
Plot No-38, Sector-A, Zone-D,
Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAHAA8368B |
Joint Venture |
49.00% |
14 |
ATLANTA-ARSS (JV) |
504, Samarpan, New Link Road,
Chakala, Near Mirador Hotel, Andheri East, Mumbai 400 099 |
AABAA0048E |
Joint Venture |
49.00% |
15 |
ARSS-LGPPL (JV) |
Plot No-38, Sector-A, Zone-D,
Mancheswar Industrial Estate, Bhubaneswar- 751010 |
AAGAA3633G |
Joint Venture |
51.00% |
The name of the Joint Venture which have become JV during the year :
NIL
The name of the Joint Venture which has been ceased during the year
under review: NIL
6. Consolidated Financial Statements:
Consolidated financial statements (consolidating financials of ARSS
Damoh - Hirapur Tolls Private Limited being its subsidiary company and of ARSS Developers
Limited being its associate company) in terms of Section 129 (3) of the Companies Act,
2013 read with rule 6 of Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 and under Regulation 33 of SEBI
(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015
(hereinafter referred as "SEBI Listing Regulations") and as per requirements of
Ind AS 110 consolidated financial statements read with Ind AS 28- Investment in
associates and Joint ventures and Ind AS 31 interest in Joint ventures, the Audited
Consolidated Financial Statements are provided in this Annual Report. The consolidated
Financial Statements have been prepared on the basis of audited financial statements of
the Company and its subsidiary. Pursuant to the Section 129 (3) of the Companies Act, 2013
read with rule 5 of Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, a statement containing the
salient features of the financial statements of each of the subsidiary and associate
company in the prescribed form AOC-1 is annexed to this annual report.
Pursuant to the Section 136 of the Companies Act, 2013 financial
statements of subsidiary/ associate companies are kept for inspection by the shareholders
at the Registered Office of the Company. The said financial statements of the subsidiaries
are also available on the website of the Company www.arssgroup.in under the Investors
Relations Section. Shareholders interested in obtaining a copy of the audited financial
statements of the subsidiary companies may write to the Company Secretary at the
Company?s registered office or email at cs@arssgroup.in.
7. Reserve
No amount was proposed to be transferred to general reserve.
8. Operations- Work Orders
We are pleased to inform that during the year under report, the
Company has secured the following contracts (work order):
1. At Boudh: Construction of Reinforced earth (RE) Wall
(designed for 100 years life) for approach of ROB-542 & 489A at Railway Km. 206-370
and Km. 180.380 including allied items between Purunakatak (Km. 180) and Boudh (Km.207.0)
of Khurda Road-Bolangir new BG Rail Link project of E.Co.Railway". Submission of
Performance Guarantee with a Contract Value of Rs 15.40 crores
9. Performance and financial position of each of the
subsidiary and associate companies are included in the consolidated financial statement
except some JVs. which has been otherwise qualified by the Auditors of the Company.
10. CREDIT Rating
The accounts of the company is NPA since 2012, therefore no rating
has been assigned to the company.
11. Listing with Stock Exchanges
The Company confirms that it has paid the Annual Listing Fees for
the financial year 2023-2024 to The Bombay Stock Exchange Limited and National Stock
Exchange of India Limited where the Company?s Shares are listed.
12. Management Discussion and Analysis Report:
As required under regulation 34 SEBI (Listing Obligations and
Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the Management Discussion and Analysis Report
is enclosed as a part of this report as Annexure A?.
13. Corporate Governance and Shareholders Information:
The Company is committed to maintaining high standards of Corporate
Governance and adheres to the Corporate Governance requirements set out by the Securities
and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The Company continues to lay a strong emphasis on
transparency, accountability and integrity and has also implemented several corporate
governance practices in this regard. A separate report on Corporate Governance in terms of
Regulation 34(3) read with Schedule V of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure
Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (the Listing Regulations?) is provided in this
Annual Report. The requisite certificate obtained from a Practicing Company Secretary
confirming compliance with the conditions of Corporate Governance along-with a declaration
signed by Resolution Professional stating that the members of the Board of Directors and
Senior Management personnel have affirmed compliance with the respective codes of conduct
of the Board of Directors and Senior Management is attached to the report on Corporate
Governance. A report on Corporate Governance is included as a part of this Annual Report
as Annexure B?.
A company undergoing insolvency resolution process, however, is
exempted from the requirement of, amongst others, composition of board of directors,
constitution, meetings and terms of reference of the audit committee, constitution,
meetings and terms of reference of the nomination and remuneration committee,
constitution, meetings and terms of reference of the stakeholders? relationship
committee as required under SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015.
14. Annual Return
Pursuant to Section 92(3) read with Section 134(3)(a) of the Act, the
Annual Return as on 31st March, 2024 is hosted on the Company?s website
i.e. http://arssgroup.in/PDF/AnnualReturn/2024/ARSS_ANNUAL_RETURN_2024.pdf
15. MSME
The Company has registered itself on Trade Receivables Discounting
System platform (TReDS) through the service providers Receivables Exchange of India
Limited.
16. KYC registration for holders of physical shares:
All shareholders of the Company holding shares in physical form are
requested to update their PAN, Address, Email ID, Bank account details (KYC details) and
Nomination details with the Company?s Registrar and Share Transfer Agent (RTA) at the
earliest, in case the same are not updated. The relevant forms for updating the KYC
information and Nomination details are provided on the website of the Company at
http://arssgroup.in/Notices_n_Forms.html.
17. Number of Board Meetings:
The powers of the Board of Directors remained suspended during CIRP
period from 30.11.2021 onwards and no Board/ Committee meetings were held during the
Financial Year 2023-24. The powers of board of directors were being exercised by the
Resolution Professional (RP) in accordance with Sections 17 and 23 of the Insolvency Code.
Further details are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
18. Committees of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of your Company had already constituted
various Committees in compliance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI
Listing Regulations viz. Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration Committee,
Stakeholders Relationship Committee, CSR Committee and Operation and Management Committee,
prior to CIRP period. During financial year 2014-15, in accordance with the provisions of
the erstwhile Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement, the Board had voluntarily constituted
the Risk Management Committee.
The Board had a defined set of guidelines, duties and responsibilities
and an established framework commensurate with the applicable provisions of the Companies
Act, 2013 and Listing Regulations for conducting the meetings of the said Committees. A
detailed note on the Board of Directors and its committees, their scope etc. is provided
under the Corporate Governance Report section of this Annual Report. All decisions
pertaining to the Constitution of Committees, appointment of members and fixing of terms
of reference / role of the Committees are taken by the Board of Directors.
However, The Financial Creditors, State Bank of India has filed a
petition bearing CP (IB) No. 34/CB/2021 under section 7 of Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code,
2016 ("IBC"), before the National Company Law Tribunal Cuttack Bench
("NCLT, Cuttack") and subsequently the corporate insolvency resolution process
(CIRP) has been initiated against the company by the NCLT Cuttack Bench, Cuttack vide
order dated 30th November, 2021. vide this order Mr. Uday Narayan Mitra (Reg. No.
IBBI/IPA001/IP-P00793/2017-18/11360) having address at 72/1, Dawnagazi Road, bally,
Kolkata West Bengal -711201 (Email- udaynarayanmitra@yahoo.co.uk) has been appointed as
Interim Resolution Professional (IRP). The powers of board of directors and its committees
remained suspended during period under review and were being exercised by the RP in
accordance with Sections 17 and 23 of the Insolvency Code. Accordingly, no meetings of the
Committees were held during the Financial Year 2023-24. Further details are given in the
Corporate Governance Report.
a. Audit Committee
The company has in place an Audit Committee in terms of the
requirements of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the rules made there under and
Regulation 18 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
The details relating to the same are given in Annexure B? of the Board Report
on the Corporate Governance forming part of this report. Members are requested to refer to
point No. 6 of Corporate Governance Report attached with this annual report.
b. Nomination and Remuneration Committee
The company has in place Nomination and Remuneration Committee in terms
of the requirements of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the rules made there under and
Regulation 19 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
The details relating to the same are given in Annexure B? of the Board Report
on the Corporate Governance forming part of this report. Members are requested to refer to
point No. 7 of Corporate Governance Report attached with this annual report.
c. Corporate Social Responsibility Committee (CSR):
The company has in place Corporate Social Responsibility Committee
(CSR) in terms of the requirements of section 135 and Schedule VII of the Companies Act,
2013. The details relating to the same are given in Annexure B? of the Board
Report on the Corporate Governance forming part of this report. Members are requested to
refer to point No. 8 of Corporate Governance Report attached with this annual report.
d. Shareholders Relationship Committee
The company has in place Shareholders Relationship Committee in terms
of the requirements of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the rules made there under and
Regulation 20 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
The details relating to the same are given in Annexure B? of the Board Report
on the Corporate Governance forming part of this report. Members are requested to refer to
point No. 9 of Corporate Governance Report attached with this annual report.
19. Dematerialization of shares:
Physical/ NSDL/ CDSL/Summary Report as on 31st March, 2024,
representing 99.94% of total Equity Share Capital of the Company were held in
dematerialized form. The Company?s Registrar and Share Transfer Agent (RTA) is
Bigshare Services Private Limited, Office No. S6-2, 6th Floor, Pinnacle Business Park,
Next to Ahura Centre, Mahakali Caves Road, Andheri (East) Mumbai 400093, Maharashtra,
India.
Particulars |
No. of Shareholders |
Percentage (%age) |
No. of Shares |
Percentage (%age) |
CDSL |
7,382 |
46.98 |
87,38,227 |
38.43 |
NSDL |
8,325 |
52.98 |
1,39,87,013 |
61.51 |
PHYSICAL |
7 |
0.04 |
12,726 |
0.06 |
TOTAL |
15,714 |
100.00 |
2,27,37,966 |
100.00 |
20. E-voting facility at AGM
In terms of Regulation 44 of SEBI Listing Regulations and in
compliance with the provisions of Section 108 of the Act read with Rule 20 and other
applicable provisions of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014 (as
amended), the items of business specified in the Notice convening the 24th AGM of the
Company shall be transacted through electronic voting system only and for this purpose the
Company is providing e-Voting facility to its? Members whose names will appear in the
register of members as on the cut-off date (fixed for the purpose), for exercising their
right to vote by electronic means through the e-Voting platform to be provided by National
Securities Depository Ltd ("NSDL").
The detailed process and guidelines for e-voting have been provided in
the notice convening the meeting.
21. Public deposits, covered under Chapter V of the Act
Your Company has not invited any deposit from public and
shareholders. So, the provisions of the Chapter V of the Companies Act, 2013 are not
attracted.
22. Auditors: Statutory Auditors:
At the Nineteenth AGM held on September 25, 2019 the Members approved
appointment of M/s. A R M S & Associates, Chartered Accountant (Firm?s
Registration No. 013019N) of Gurugram as Statutory Auditors of the Company to hold office
for a period of five years from the conclusion of that AGM till the conclusion of the
Twenty-fourth AGM. Unfortunately, CA Manoj Kumar Gupta, Statutory Auditor met a road
accident and expired on the spot. The Company had immensely benefited from his advice to
the board. The company convey their deep sorrow and condolences to his family. Committee
of Creditors ("COC") then appointed auditor?s reconstituted firm as the
statutory auditors of the company but due to lapse of their Peer Review Certificate, they
have resigned as they have lost their eligibility to conduct the audit of a Listed
Company.
Then COC has appointed M/s. M A R S & Associates, Chartered
Accountant (Firm?s Registration No. 010484N) of New Delhi to fill the casual vacancy
caused and to conduct the statutory audit for the financial year ended March 31, 2024 The
company has also received necessary consent and certificates under Section 139 of the
Companies Act, 2013 from M/s. M A R S & Associates, Chartered Accountant (Firm?s
Registration No. 010484N) of New Delhi for the appointment as statutory auditors of the
company to audit the accounts of the company for the five consecutive financial years i.e.
up to 2028-2029, to the effect that their appointment, if made, shall be in accordance
with the conditions specified therein and they satisfies the Criteria as prescribed in
Section 141 of the Companies Act, 2013.
The Auditors have also confirmed that they have subjected themselves to
the peer review process of Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) and hold
valid certificate issued by the Peer Review Board of the ICAI.
In view of the above, M/s. M A R S & Associates, being eligible for
appointment and based on the recommendation of the Resolution Professional and subject to
approval of CoC and the shareholders of the company, it is proposed the appointment of
M/s. M A R S & Associates as the statutory auditors of the Company to hold office for
the five consecutive years from the conclusion of this Annual General Meeting until the
conclusion of 29th Annual General Meeting, at such remuneration plus GST,
out-of-pocket, travelling and living expenses, etc., as may be mutually agreed between the
Board of Directors/ Resolution Professional of the Company and the Auditors.
Cost Auditors:
As per the requirements of the Section 148 of the Act read with the
Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 as amended from time to time, your Company
is required to maintain cost records and accordingly, such accounts are made and records
have been maintained every year. The Cost Audit for the financial year 2023-24 is under
process and the report shall be submitted by the cost auditor as and when it will
completed. M/s. I C Kundu & Co, Cost Accountants, FRN 700778 were appointed as Cost
Auditor to audit the cost records of the Company for the financial year 2024-2025. The
Cost Auditors have submitted a certificate of their eligibility for such appointment and
confirmed that their appointment is within the limits of section 141(3)(g) of the
Companies Act, 2013 and have also certified that they are free from any disqualifications
specified under section 141(3) and proviso to section 148(3) read with section 141(4) of
the Companies Act, 2013.
As required under the Companies Act, 2013, the remuneration payable to
the cost auditor is required to be placed before the Members in a General Meeting for
their ratification. Accordingly, a Resolution seeking Member?s ratification for the
remuneration payable for 2024-25 to Messrs I C Kundu & Co, as Cost Auditor,
Bhubaneswar (Firm Registration Number 100778), is included in the Notice convening the
Annual General Meeting.
Cost Records
Company has maintained proper cost records and books of account
pursuant to the Rules made by the Central Government for the maintenance of cost records
under sub-section (1) of Section 148 of the Act in respect of Company?s products/
services.
Secretarial Auditors:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013
and the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, the
Company has appointed M/s Sunita Jyotirmoy & Associates., a firm of Practicing Company
Secretaries, Bhubaneswar to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company. The
Secretarial Audit Reports for the financial year 2023-24 of the Company and its material
subsidiary company i.e. ARSS Damoh Hirapur Tolls Private Limited are annexed
herewith as Annexure C & D?. There was one observation by the
secretarial auditors which is duly replied by the management herein below. Apart from that
there were no qualifications, observations, reservation or comments or other remarks in
the Secretarial Audit Reports, which have any adverse effect on the functioning of the
Company and its material subsidiary.
Annual Secretarial Compliance Report
The Company has undertaken an audit for the Financial Year 2023-2024
for all applicable compliances as per Securities and Exchange Board of India Regulations
and Circulars/Guidelines issued thereunder. The Annual Secretarial Compliance Report duly
signed by CS Jyotirmoy Mishra Partner of M/s. Sunita Jyotirmoy & Associates has been
submitted to the Stock Exchanges.
Internal Auditors:
The Internal Auditors, M/s. PR & Associates, Cost Accountants,
Bhubaneswar conduct internal audits periodically and submit their reports to the
Resolution Professional and he has reviewed the report from time to time. For Financial
Year 2024-25, M/s. PR & Associates, Cost Accountants, Bhubaneswar has been appointed
as Internal Auditors of the Company by the Resolution Professional pursuant to the Section
138 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014.
Reporting of Frauds by Auditors
During the year under review, the Statutory Auditors, Cost Auditors and
Secretarial Auditor have not reported any instances of frauds committed in the Company by
its Officers or Employees to the Audit Committee under section 143(12) of the Companies
Act, 2013.
23. Report of Auditors: Statutory Auditors
Our reply to the qualifications of Auditors: -
Basis for Qualified Opinion on standalone Financial Statements a)
In absence of relevant records, Contract-wise surplus/loss has neither been ascertained
nor recognized in compliance with Ind AS-115 Revenue from contract with
customers?.
Company Reply: During the work execution period there is
escalation claim, revision of contact value, extension of completion period, etc. due to
which unpredictable variation in reliable estimation of revenue and cost. Also the
allocation of combine Operating overhead, Head office overhead and Financial Cost is not
possible due to combine use or high swapping of resources, size of the Contracts. Hence
financial implication of the qualification is not quantifiable.
Basis for Qualified Opinion on Consolidated Financial Statements a)
In absence of relevant records, Contract-wise surplus/loss of holding company has neither
been ascertained nor recognized in compliance with Ind AS-115 Revenue from contract
with customers?.
Company Reply: During the work execution period there is escalation
claim, revision of contact value, extension of completion period, etc. due to which
unpredictable variation in reliable estimation of revenue and cost. Also the allocation of
combine Operating overhead, Head office overhead and Financial Cost is not possible due to
combine use or high swapping of resources, size of the Contracts. Hence financial
implication of the qualification is not quantifiable. b) In the absence of audited books
of accounts of ARSS-SIPS JV, ARSS Technocom Priyashi Aashi JV, ARSS-BMS JV, ARSS KMPPL JV
and ARSS NTLLP JV, financial data from these entity have not been included in
consolidation of financial statement.
Company Reply: The accounts of the JVs are under the control of
respective JV Partners i.e. Shyam Indus Power Solutions Pvt. Ltd, BMS Projects, M/s.
Technocom, NTLLP and K K Minerals Private Limited. The accounts of these JVs are yet to be
finalized from their end. Hence financial implication for the JV is not quantifiable.
However the accounting effect of the discrepancies, if any after the finalization of its
accounts will be given at current date.
Secretarial Auditors
Our reply to the qualifications of Secretarial Auditors: -
Basis for Qualified Opinion on Secretarial Audit Reports-
(a) Since the Status of the Company is showing as Under
Liquidation?, the Company could not file MGT 15, Balance Sheet and Annual Returns
after completion of Annual General Meeting on 26.09.2023. However as on date of signing of
the report, the status of the Company has been changed to "Under CIRP".
Company Reply: The members of the Company please be informed
that the Resolution plan submitted by SRA i.e. Ocean Capital Market Limited which was
approved by the COC with 76.67% votes which was not approved by Hon?ble NCLT, Cuttack
Bench, Cuttack and liquidation was initiated against the Corporate Debtor. However the
Resolution Applicant has filed an appeal with Hon?ble NCLAT, New Delhi against the
order of rejecting the resolution plan. The Hon?ble NCLAT passed an order dated 25th
April, 2023, directing for liquidation shall remain stayed and resolution professional
shall continue to manage the affairs of the company as a going concern. The Application
has been allowed by the Hon?ble NCLAT, New Delhi vide its order dated 09-08-2023 by
setting aside the order rejecting the resolution plan passed by the Hon?ble NCLT,
Cuttack bench vide its order dated 18.04.2023. The relevant form INC-28 has been file by
the Company with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs but the master data showing the status
of the Company has not been changed from Under Liquidation to Under CIRP. Company
Secretary has been continuous follows up with the ROC and IBBI but no corrective action
has been taken for a long time. However after that the master data has been changed but
still when the company is trying to file MGT-15 and Annual Filling, the status of CIN of
the Company showing under Liquidation and the filling of forms is not allowed by the
Ministry of Corporate Affairs. Therefore the filling of ROC Forms is not an intentional
act rather due to technical glitch the master data recorded at MCA portal, company are
unable to file the relevant forms with the ROC.
24. Directors and Key Managerial Personnel
The Hon?ble NCLT vide order dated November 30, 2021 had
initiated the CIRP Proceedings against the Company and pursuant to Section 17 of the IBC,
the powers of the Board of Directors of the Company stood suspended, and such powers are
vested with the Resolution Professional, Mr. Uday Narayan Mitra.
The outcome of the CIRP may result in change in the Board of Directors
of the Company followed by reconstitution of the statutory committees of the Board of
Directors of the Company. In accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Articles of
Association of the Company, Shri Rajesh Agarwal, Managing Director of the Company, retire
by rotation at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and being eligible, offers himself for
re-appointment, However, his Power as director shall stand suspended during CIRP.
Mr. Rajender Parshad Indoria ceased to be the director of the company
due to his resignation dated 28-02-2024 which was approved by the CoC on 01.04.2024.
Tenure of Mr. Pareswar Panda is completed and has not been re-appointed. During the year,
the non-executive directors of the Company had no pecuniary relationship or transactions
with the Company, other than sitting fees, and reimbursement of expenses incurred by them
for the purpose of attending meetings of the Board/ Committee of the Company.
25. Key Managerial Personnel
Following persons are the Key Managerial Personnel of the Company
pursuant to Section 2(51) and Section 203 of the Act, read with the Rules framed
thereunder: a. Mr. Rajesh Agarwal, Managing Director; (suspended during CIRP w.e.f.
30.11.2021) b. Mr. Uday Narayan Mitra, Resolution Professional (appointed by NCLT w.e.f.
30.11.2021) c. Mr. S. K. Pattanaik, Chief Financial Officer and d. Mr. Prakash Chhajer,
Company Secretary & Compliance officer
26. Declaration given by independent directors under sub-section (6) of
section 149;
Since the company is under CIRP, the Board of directors is
suspended w.e.f. 30.11.2021 therefore no such declaration has been received from
Independent director. In view of above the statement regarding opinion of the Board with
regard to integrity, expertise and experience (including the proficiency) of the
independent directors during the financial year is not provided.
27. Secretarial Standards
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 118 of the Companies Act,
2013, the Company has complied with the applicable provisions of the Secretarial Standards
issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and notified by Ministry of
Corporate Affairs.
28. Director?s Responsibility Statement/ Statement by the Chief
Financial Officer (CFO) and taken on record by the Resolution Professional:
To the best of their knowledge and belief and according to the
information and explanations obtained by them/CFO of the Company, your Directors and CFO
make the following statements in terms of Section 134(3)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013
that:- (a) in the preparation of the annual accounts for the financial year ended March
31, 2024, the applicable accounting standards read with requirements set out under
Schedule III of the Companies Act, 2013 have been followed and there are no material
departures from the same; (b) the directors/ CFO had selected such accounting policies and
applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent
so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company at the end of
the financial year and of the profit and loss of the company for that period; (c) the
directors/ CFO had taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate
accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for
safeguarding the assets of the company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other
irregularities; (d) the directors/ CFO had prepared the annual accounts on a going concern
basis; (e) the directors/ CFO had laid down internal financial controls and such internal
financial controls are adequate and are operating effectively; and (f) the directors/ CFO
had devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws
and that such systems were adequate and operating effectively.
29. Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as Code?)
is applicable to all its Board Members and Senior Management Personnel of the Company. A
Code of Conduct for the Directors and Senior Management Personnel has already been
approved by the Resolution professional of the Company. All Board Members and Senior
Management Personnel had affirmed compliance with the Code during the year and no
violation of the same was reported. A declaration to the effect that all Board Members and
Senior Management Personnel have complied with the Code during the financial year 2023-2024,
duly signed by Resolution professional of the Company is herein below enclosed with
Corporate Governance Report. The Code has also been posted on the Company?s Web-site.
30. Particulars of employees (rule 5(2), and 5(3)) and managerial
remuneration ( rule 5(1) ) of the companies (appointment and remuneration of managerial
personnel) rules, 2014, and under section 197(12) of the act The total number of
employees as on 31st March, 2024 stood at 406.
Disclosures pertaining to remuneration and other details as required
under Section 197(12) of the Act read with Rule 5(1), 5(2) and 5 (3) of the Companies
(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, are provided as
follows: (i) The percentage increase in remuneration of each director, Chief
Financial Officer, Company Secretary during the financial year 2023-2024 and ratio of the
remuneration of each director to the median remuneration of the employees of the company
for the financial year 2023-2024 are as under;
Sr. No. |
Name of the Director/ KMP
and designation |
Remuneration of Director/
KMP for the FY 2023-24 (Rs in Lacs) |
% increase in
remuneration in the FY 2023-24 |
Ratio of remuneration of
each Director/ to median remuneration of employees |
1 |
Mr. Subash Agarwal, Chairman
(suspended during CIRP) |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
2 |
Mr. Rajesh Agarwal, Managing
Director (suspended during CIRP) |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
3 |
Mr. S. K. Pattanaik, Chief Financial officer |
30.00 |
Nil |
Not Applicable |
4 |
Mr. Prakash Chhajer, Company
Secretary & Compliance Officer |
16.50 |
Nil |
Not Applicable |
(ii) The median remuneration of employees of the company during the
financial year was Rs 1,56,000 ; (iii) In the Financial year, there was decrease of (-)
7.14% in the median remuneration of employees; (iv) There were 406 permanent employees on
the rolls of Company as on March 31, 2024
(v) During the financial year 2023-2024, the average percentage
decrease in salary of the Company?s employee, excluding the key managerial Personnel
(KMP?) was 3.21%. and there was no change in the salary of KMPs during the year
under review. and
(vi) It is hereby affirmed that the remuneration paid is as per the
Remuneration Policy for Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and other Employee.
THE INFORMATION REQUIRED UNDER SECTION 197 OF THE ACT READ WITH RULE
5(2) & (3) OF THE COMPANIES (APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL)
RULES, 2014 ARE GIVEN BELOW:
Sl. No. |
Name |
Age In Years |
Qualification |
Date of Comencement of
Employment |
Designation |
Remuneration (Amount INR
in Lacs) |
Total Experience (No. of
yrs.) |
Previous Employment
(Designation) |
Percentage of equity
share held by employee in company |
1 |
Mr. S .K. Pattanaik |
52 |
M.Com, LLB, PGDM |
01.04.2015 |
CFO |
30.00 |
21 |
ARSS I.P.L. DF Harishchandra
India Ltd. |
0.00005 |
2 |
Mr. Sanjay Peshion |
55 |
B.Tech Civil |
01.05.2016 |
VP AVP-Finance & |
18.00 |
30 |
Additional GM ARSS
I.P.L. - Financial |
- |
3 |
Mr. Rashmi Ranjan Singh |
50 |
CA |
01.08.2007 |
Accounts |
16.80 |
18 |
Advisor Scan Energy &
Power |
- |
4 |
Mr. Prakash Chhajer |
42 |
CS Bachelor Of |
28.05.2019 |
Company Secretary Project
Manager- |
16.50 |
14 |
Limited Triveni Engicon, |
- |
5 |
Ramesh Kumar Ranjan |
50 |
Engg Civil |
01.04.2005 |
Mizoram |
16.20 |
18 |
Jamshedpur, Sr Engg. Reliance
Industries Ltd. |
- |
6 |
Mr. Kedar Gouri Padhy |
47 |
DCE, B Tech Civil |
08.11.2017 |
Project Manager |
15.00 |
18 |
Senior Manager |
- |
7 |
Mr. Surendra Kumar Khare |
58 |
B.Tech Civil |
15.03.2012 |
Vice President |
13.20 |
33 |
- |
- |
8 |
Mr. Amarkant Pathak Mr.Khalasi
Ravi |
48 |
BA Diploma (Auto |
20.10.1996 |
Site In Charge Operation Head |
12.00 |
26 |
- |
- |
9 |
Hasmukhlal |
38 |
Mobile) |
19.07.2023 |
- MV |
12.00 |
15 |
- |
- |
10 |
Mr.Nrusingha Barik |
55 |
Graduation |
03.09.2020 |
Project Manager |
9.60 |
25 |
- |
- |
31. 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; The Company has a policy for remuneration of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel
and Senior Management Personnel as well as well-defined criteria for the selection of
candidates for appointment to the said positions which has been approved by the Board. The
Policy broadly lays down the guiding principles for determining qualifications, positive
attributes, independence of a Director and other matters provided under sub-section (3) of
section 178 of Companies Act, 2013. During the year under review, no changes were made in
the above policy. Salient features of this policy are enumerated in the Corporate
Governance Report which forms part of the Annual Report. The above policy is available at
the website of the Company at http://arssgroup.in/ArssPolicies.html
32. Industrial Relation:
Employee relations continued to be cordial throughout the year. The
whole-hearted support of employees and a sense of belongingness with the organization and
solidarity with the management of the Company have helped to cope with the present
challenges of the Company during the year.
33. Adequacy of internal financial controls with reference to the
Financial Statements.
Management has put in place effective Internal Control Systems to
provide reasonable assurance for:
Safeguarding Assets and their usage.
Maintenance of Proper Accounting Records and
Adequacy and Reliability of the information used for carrying on
Business Operations.
Key elements of the Internal Control Systems has been provided &
explained in MDA report attached with Director?s Report.
34. Annual Evaluation by the Board of Its Own Performance (Including
Committees and Individual Directors)
In terms of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
(Third Amendment) Regulations, 2018, a company undergoing CIR process is not required to
comply with the requirement of conducting evaluation of the independent directors.
Therefore, subsequent to commencement of the CIR process the evaluation of the independent
directors of the Company was not required to be carried out under the provisions of the
Regulation 17(10) SEBI LODR Regulations.
Further, in accordance with Rule 8(4) of Companies (Accounts) Rules,
2014, the board of directors of a company are required to evaluate its own performance and
that of its committees and individual directors. However pursuant to commencement of the
CIR process of the Company, the powers of the board of directors stand suspended and the
affairs of the Company were being conducted by RP during Financial Year under review.
Consequently, no meeting of the Directors was held during the Financial Year 2023-2024 for
such evaluation.
35. Segment wise performance:
The Company is engaged in only one segment viz. Construction
Business and as such there is no separate reportable segments as per IND AS -108
"Operating Segment."
36. Independent Directors Meeting
Since the CIRP has been initiated and the board has been suspended
w.e.f. 30.11.2021 therefore no meeting of the Independent Directors was held during the
year under review.
37. Familiarisation Programme of Independent Directors
In compliance with the requirements of SEBI Listing Regulations, the
Company has put in place a familiarization program for Independent Directors to
familiarize them with their role, rights and responsibility as Directors, the operations
of the Company, business overview etc. The details of the familiarization program are
explained in the Corporate Governance Report and the same is also available on the website
of the Company. During the year under, the company is under CIRP no such familiarization
program was conducted for Independent directors.
38. Details of significant and material orders:
During the year under review one significant and material order passed
by the regulators or courts or tribunals impacting the going concern status and
company?s operations in future. However subsequently the order was stayed by
Appellate Tribunal -
1. The Resolution plan submitted by Successful Resolution Applicant
(SRA) i.e. Ocean Capital Market Limited which was approved by the COC with 76.67% but
Hon?ble NCLT, Cuttack Bench has rejected the plan on ground of resolution period was
over and liquidation was initiated against the Corporate Debtor vide its order dated
18.04.2023. Ms. Payal Agarwal Insolvency Resolution Professional has been appointed
as liquidator of the company. However the Resolution Applicant has filed an appeal with
Hon?ble NCLAT, New Delhi against the order rejecting the Resolution Plan. The
Hon?ble NCLAT passed an order dated 25th April, 2023, directing for liquidation shall
remain stayed and resolution professional shall continue to manage the affairs of the
company as a going concern. Application made by Resolution Applicant, has been allowed by
the Hon?ble NCLAT, New Delhi vide its order dated 09-08-2023 by setting aside the
order rejecting the resolution plan passed by the Hon?ble NCLT, Cuttack bench and
allowed the Resolution Applicant to submit an addendum as per the said order.
Therefore, pursuant to the order of the Hon?ble NCLAT the
Resolution Applicant submitted its addendum which was approved by a majority voting of
99.36% in favour for consideration. Thereafter a fresh Application filed by the RP for
approval of the Plan on dated 18-09-2023.
39. Particulars of Loans, Guarantees or Investments under Section 186
Details of Loans, Guarantees and Investments covered under the
provisions of Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 are given in the notes to the
Financial Statements.
40. Particulars of Contracts or Arrangements with Related Parties
Referred to in Sub-Section (1) of Section 188 in the Prescribed Form AOC-2
All contracts / arrangements / transactions entered by the Company
during the financial year with related parties were in its ordinary course of business and
on an arm?s length basis. During the year, the Company had not entered into any
contract / arrangement / transaction with related parties which could be considered
material in accordance with the policy of the Company on materiality of related party
transactions.
The Policy on Materiality of Related Party Transactions and on dealing
with Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board is put up on the Company?s
website and can be accessed at http://arssgroup.in/PDF/ArssPolicy/Related%20
Party%20Transaction%20Policy.pdf
All related party transactions are in compliance with Ind-AS 24,
Section 188 and / or SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,
2015 and are placed before the Audit Committee as also before the Board for approval.
Prior omnibus approval of the Audit Committee was also sought for transactions which are
of a foreseen and repetitive nature. However during CIRP, where Audit Committee is
suspended, all the Related party Transaction is approved by the Committee of Creditors
(CoC).
There were no materially significant related party transactions which
could have potential conflict with interest of the Company at large.
Members may refer Note 61 to the Standalone Financial Statement which
sets out related party disclosures pursuant to Ind AS 24.
The particulars of contracts entered into with related parties during
the year as per Form AOC-2 is enclosed as Annexure-E?.
41. Material changes and commitments, 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:
There have been no material changes and commitments affecting the
financial position of the company between the end of the financial year and date of this
report except the Hon?ble NCLT/NCLAT order(s) related to matters under CIRP.
42. Compounding status
The company has received show cause notices by the office of Regional
Director, Eastern Region and Registrar of Companies of Odisha at Cuttack pursuant to the
inspection held under section 209(A) of the Companies Act, 1956 in the year 2016-17 for
the non compliance of few section of the companies act. The company has already compounded
13 sections out of total Forty Four sections for which show cause notices were issued.
Rest are under the process and will be compounded in due course.
43. Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption, Foreign Exchange
Earnings and Outgo
During the year under review, the Company has taken adequate measures
for conservation of energy and also has not gone for any technology absorption whatsoever
in accordance with the provisions of sub - Section (3) (m) section 134 of the Companies
Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014. The Company has neither earned
any income nor incurred any expenditure in foreign currency during the financial year
ended 31st March, 2024.
44. Business risk management
Pursuant to the provisions of Regulation 21 of the Listing Regulations,
the Company is not required to constitute a Risk Management Committee. The Company has
however laid down procedures to inform Board members about the risk assessment and
minimization procedures. The Company?s management systems, organizational structures,
processes, standards, code of conduct, Internal Control and Internal audit methodologies
and processes that governs as to how the Company conducts its business and manages
associated risks. The Company also has in place a Risk Management Policy to identify and
assess the key risk areas. The Members of the Audit Committee monitors and reviews the
implementation of various aspects of the Risk Management Policy. Major risks identified by
the Company are systematically addressed through mitigating actions on a continuous basis.
The Company has also adopted Risk Assessment, Minimization and Control Procedures.
Pursuant to commencement of the CIR Process, the powers of the board of directors stand
suspended and are exercised by the interim resolution professional or resolution
professional, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the Code.
Accordingly, the Board as well as the Audit Committee has not met during the year under
review. At present the company is under CIRP therefore the related risk is associated with
the company.
45. Corporate Social Responsibility
i) Terms of reference:
The Committee formulates CSR Policy. The role of the Committee is as
under: a. Formulate and recommend to the Board, a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
which shall indicate the activities to be undertaken by the Company as specified in
Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. b. Recommend the amount of expenditure to be
incurred on the activities referred in the CSR policy. c. Monitor the CSR Policy of the
Company and its implementation from time to time. d. Such other functions as the Board may
deem fit from time to time.
ii) Composition, name of Members and attendance during the year:
Pursuant to commencement of the CIR process, the powers of the board of
directors stand suspended and are exercised by the interim resolution professional or
resolution professional, as the case may be, in accordance with the provisions of the
Code. The requirement of minimum number of members in the audit committee in accordance
with the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules framed thereunder is not maintainable on
account of suspension of the powers of the Board. In terms of the SEBI LODR Regulations, a
company undergoing CIR process is not required to comply with Regulation 18(1)(a) of the
SEBI LODR Regulations dealing with the minimum number of the members in the audit
committee of a listed company.
iii) No. of Meetings held during the year:
Since the Board and committee thereof has been suspended during CIRP,
hence no meeting was held during the year under review.
iv) Amount incurred on CSR activities during the year:
Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 & Companies (Corporate
Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014, (CSR Rules) makes it mandatory for
certain companies who fulfill the criteria as mentioned under Sub Section 1 of Section 135
to comply with the provisions of Corporate Social Responsibility and accordingly company
had constituted a CSR committee and has also adopted the CSR Policy for the company as
approved by the committee.
Since the average of the last three years profit was in negative
figures i.e. (Rs 52.04) crores loss company need not to incur any amount towards CSR in
the FY 2023-24.
A responsibility statement of the CSR Committee
The CSR Committee has confirmed that the implementation and monitoring
of CSR Policy, is in compliance with CSR objectives and Policy of the Company.
Sd/-Rajesh Agarwal (Chairman CSR Committee) (Suspended During CIRP)
Provide the web-link where Composition of CSR Committee, CSR Policy approved by the Board
are disclosed on the website of the Company. The Composition of CSR Committee and CSR
Policy of the Company are available on the Company?s website and can be accessible at
http://arssgroup.in/PDF/ArssPolicy/Corporate%20Social%20Responsibility%20Policy.pdf.
46. Vigil Mechanism/ Whistle Blower Policy of the Company
The Vigil Mechanism as envisaged in the Companies Act, 2013, the
Rules prescribed thereunder and the Listing Regulations is implemented through the
Company?s Whistle Blower Policy to enable the Directors, employees and all
stakeholders of the Company to report genuine concerns, to provide for adequate safeguards
against victimisation of persons who use such mechanism and make provision for direct
access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee (presently this power is vested with
Resolution Professional).
Whistle Blower Policy of your Company is available on the
Company?s website and can be accessed in the Governance section at the Web-link
http://arssgroup.in/PDF/ArssPolicy/Vigil%20Mechanism%20and%20Whistle%20Blower%20Policy.
pdf
47. The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention,
Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 / Internal Complaint Committee
The Company has a detailed policy in place in line with the
requirements of The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and
Redressal) Act, 2013 ("Act"). Internal Complaints Committees ("ICC")
have been set up to redress complaints received regarding sexual harassment and the
Company has complied with provisions relating to the constitution of ICC under the Act.
The objective of the policy is to prohibit, prevent and address issues of sexual
harassment at the workplace. This policy has striven to prescribe a code of conduct for
the employees and all employees have access to the Policy document and are required to
strictly abide by it. All employees (permanent, contractual, temporary, trainees) are
covered under this Policy. During the year 2023-2024, no case of Sexual Harassment was
reported.
48. Share Capital
The issued, subscribed and paid-up Share Capital of the Company stood
at INR 22.73 crores as at 31st March, 2024 comprising of 2,27,37,966 (Equity)
Shares of INR 10 each fully paid-up. There was no change in Share Capital during the year
under review.
49. Compliance with the provisions of Secretarial Standard 1 and
Secretarial Standard 2
The applicable Secretarial Standards, i.e. SS-1 and SS-2, relating to
Meetings of the Board of Directors? and General Meetings?
respectively, have been duly complied by your Company.
50. Policies
The details of the Key Policies adopted by the Company can be accessed
in the Governance section at the Web-link http://arssgroup.in/ArssPolicies.html
Remuneration policy
The Board has on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration
Committee framed and adopted the Policy for selection and appointment of directors, senior
management and their remuneration. The Board recognizes that the various Committees of the
Board have very important role to play to ensure highest standards of corporate
governance. The remuneration policy is stated in the Corporate Governance Report.
Code of Practices and Procedures for Fair Disclosure of
Unpublished Price Sensitive Information
Pursuant to the amendments in the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading)
Regulations, 2015 vide The SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) (Amendment) Regulations,
2018 the Board of Directors of the Company has adopted new code of Practices and
Procedures for Fair Disclosure of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information
("UPSI") ("Fair Disclosure Code") incorporating a policy for
determination of "Legitimate Purposes" as per Regulation 8 and Schedule A to the
said regulations w.e.f. 1st April, 2019.
Whistle blower policy
The Company has adopted a Whistle Blower Policy through which the
Company encourages its employees to bring to the attention of Senior Management, including
Audit Committee, any unethical behavior and improper practices and wrongful conduct taking
place in the Company. The details of the same is explained in the Corporate Governance
Report and also posted on the website of the Company at the link
http://arssgroup.in/PDF/ArssPolicy/Vigil%20
Mechanism%20and%20Whistle%20Blower%20Policy.pdf
Code of Conduct to Regulate, Monitor and Report Trading by
Insiders
Pursuant to amendments in the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 vide the Securities and Exchange Board
of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) (Amendment) Regulations, 2018, the Company
adopted the revised "Code of Conduct to Regulate, Monitor and Report Trading by
Designated Persons" as per Regulation 9 and Schedule B to the said regulations w.e.f.
1st April, 2019.
Policy for Determining Material Subsidiaries
Pursuant to amendments in the Securities and Exchange Board of India
(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, amended from time to
time, the Company has adopted the revised "Policy for Determining Material
Subsidiaries" for laying down a criterion for determining Material Subsidiaries
and their governance as per Regulation 16(1)(c) to the said regulations w.e.f. 1st
April, 2019.
51. Insurance
The Company?s plant, property, equipment, vehicles and stocks are
adequately insured against major risks. The Company has also taken Directors? and
Officers? Liability insurance Policy to provide coverage against the probable
liabilities arising on them. However due to CIRP the same has not been renewed.
52. Disclosure under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Corporate
Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP)
A petition for initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process
under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 filed by State Bank of India
(Financial Creditor) has been admitted against the Company vide Honorable National Company
Law Tribunal, Cuttack bench order dated 30.11.2021 and Mr. Uday Narayan Mitra (Reg. No.
IBBI/ IPA001/IP-P00793/2017-18/11360) having address at 72/1, Dawnagazi Road, bally,
Kolkata West Bengal -711201 (Email - udaynarayanmitra@yahoo.co.uk) has been
appointed as Interim Resolution Professional/ Resolution Professional by NCLT, Cuttack
Bench under Section 13(1)(c) of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. As a part of
CIRP, financial and operational creditors were called upon to submit their claims to the
IRP. As on date the admitted claim of the Company is INR 5314.08 crores. During the year
under review, the power of the board was vested with Mr. Uday Narayan Mitra (Reg. No.
IBBI/IPA001/ IP-P00793/2017-18/11360) having address at 72/1, Dawnagazi Road, bally,
Kolkata West Bengal -711201 (Email- udaynarayanmitra@yahoo.co.uk) as appointed as
Resolution Professional by NCLT, Cuttack Bench under Section 13(1) (c) of the Insolvency
and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
Total 29th COC meeting (Committee of Creditors Meeting) was conducted
by the RP till date to take various decision to run the company as going concern and to
approve the resolution plan. The resolution plan submitted by RA has been approved by
76.67% votes in favour votes but Hon?ble NCLT, Cuttack Bench has rejected the plan on
ground of resolution period was over and liquidation was initiated against the Corporate
Debtor. vide its order dated 18.04.2023.
However, Application made by Resolution Applicant, has been allowed by
the Hon?ble NCLAT, New Delhi vide its order dated 09-08-2023 by setting aside the
order rejecting the resolution plan passed by the Hon?ble NCLT, Cuttack Bench and
allowed the Resolution Applicant to submit an addendum as per the said order.
Pursuant to the order of the Hon?ble NCLAT the Resolution
Applicant submitted its addendum which was approved by a majority voting of 99.36% in
favour for consideration. Thereafter a fresh Application filed by the RP for approval of
the Plan on dated 18-09-2023. The matter is under active deliberation and pending before
the Hon?ble NCLT, Cuttack Bench Cuttack. During the year under review the
exposure of Punjab National Bank and Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company has been taken
over by the CFM Asset Reconstruction Private Limited and exposure of SREI Infrastructure
Finance Limited and SREI Equipment Finance Limited has been taken over by the Invent
Assets Securitizations and Reconstruction Private Limited.
53. Disclosure requirements:
As per SEBI Listing Regulations, the Corporate Governance Report with
the Certificate thereon issued by Practicing company secretary and the Management
Discussion and Analysis Report are attached, which forms part of this report. The Company
has devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable
Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and that
such systems are adequate and operating effectively.
54. Green Initiatives & Acknowledgement :
As a responsible corporate citizen, the Company supports the
Green Initiative? undertaken by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government
of India, enabling electronic delivery of documents including the Annual Report etc. to
Members at their e-mail address registered with the Depository Participants
("DPs") and RTAs. To support the Green Initiative?, Members who have
not registered their email addresses are requested to register the same with the
Company?s Registrar and Share Transfer Agent ("RTAs")/Depositories for
receiving all communications, including Annual Report, Notices, Circulars, etc., from the
Company electronically.
In accordance with the relevant MCA Circulars and the applicable SEBI
Circulars, the Annual Report of the Company for the financial year ended 31 March 2024
including therein the Audited Financial Statements for the financial year 2023-2024, are
being sent only by email to the Members. The Board / Resolution Professional together with
Key Managerial Personnel would like to acknowledge and place on record their sincere
appreciation for assistance and co-operation received from the financial institutions,
banks, Government authorities, customers and members during the year under review. Your
Directors also place on record their deep sense of appreciation for the committed services
by the executives, employees at all levels.
Your Resolution Professional appreciate and value the contribution made
by every member of the ARSS family.
|
For and on behalf of the Board
of Directors (suspended during CIRP) |
|
Sd/- |
Sd/- |
Sd/- |
|
Subash Agarwal |
Rajesh Agarwal |
(Uday Narayan Mitra) |
|
Chairman |
Managing Director |
Resolution Professional |
Place: Bhubaneswar |
(DIN:00218066) |
(DIN: 00217823) |
(IP Reg.No.IBBI/IPA001/ |
Dated: August 10, 2024 |
(Suspended during CIRP) |
(Suspended during CIRP) |
IP-P00793/2017-18/11360) |
|