Inter Ca: Revision Notes
Inter Ca: Revision Notes
Inter Ca: Revision Notes
INTER CA
MAY '19
REVISION NOTES
LAW
COMPANY LAW
/officialjksc Jkshahclasses.com/revision
INTER C.A. – LAW
INDEX
CHAPTER PARTICULARS PAGE
COMPANY LAW
1. PRELIMINARY 1–6
2. INCORPORATION OF COMPANY AND 7 – 13
MATTERS INCIDENTAL THERETO
3. PROSPECTUS AND ALLOTMENT OF 14 – 21
SECURITIES
4. SHARE CAPITAL AND DEBENTURES 22 – 33
5. ACCEPTANCE OF DEPOSITS BY 34 – 38
COMPANIES
6. REGISTRATION OF CHARGES 39 – 42
7. MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION 43 – 55
8. DECLARATION AND PAYMENT OF 56 – 61
DIVIDEND
9. ACCOUNTS OF COMPANIES 62 – 70
J.K.SHAH CLASSES INTER C.A.- LAW
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
UNIT 1: PRELIMINARY
• BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE ACT
It came into existence at once from the date of notification in the Official Gazette
i.e., from 30th August, 2013,
It extends to the whole of India.
Structure of the Act: The Companies Act, 2013 has 470 Sections (covered in 29
Chapters) and 7 Schedules as against 658 Sections (covered in 13 Parts) and 15
Schedules of the Companies Act, 1956.
promote the development of the economy.
encourage transparency, accountability and high standards of corporate
governance;
recognize various new concepts and procedures facilitating convenience of doing
business
enforce stricter action against fraud
The word 'company' is derived from the Latin words (com= with or together; and
panis = bread or meal); and originally referred to an association of persons who took their
meals together.
The term 'company' has been defined under Section 2(20) of the Companies Act, 2013. As
per this, 'company' means a company incorporated under Companies Act, 2013 or
under any of the previous laws relating to companies.
'Company' shall be used in the sense as defined above for the entire Companies Act, 2013,
unless the context otherwise requires.
1. Separate legal entity
2. Limited liability
3. Perpetual Succession
4. Separate Property
5. Transferability of Shares
6. Common Seal
7. Capacity to sue and be sued
8. Separate Management:
9. Voluntary Association for Profit
IS COMPANY A CITIZEN?
Although, a company is regarded as a legal person (though artificial), it is not a citizen
either under the Constitution of India or the Citizenship Act, 1955.
TYPES OF COMPANY
Company limited by shares:
Section 2(22), company limited by shares is a registered company having the liability
of its members limited to the amount, if any, unpaid on the shares respectively held by
them. If his shares are fully paid - up, he has nothing more to pay.
But a guarantee company having a share capital raises its initial capital from its
members, while the normal working funds would be provided from other sources, such
as fees, charges, subscriptions.
Unlimited Company:
As per Section 2(92), unlimited company is a company not having any limit on the
liability of its members. In such a company the liability of a member ceases when he
ceases to be a member.
Thus, the maximum liability of the members of such a company could extend to their
entire personal property to meet the debts and obligations of the company.
The members of an unlimited company are not liable directly to the creditors of the
company, unlike in the case of partners of a firm. The liability of the members is only
towards the company, so long it is a going concern; and in the event of its being
wound up, only the Liquidator can ask the members to contribute to the assets of the
company.
Private Company:
Section 2(68),
restricts the right to transfer its shares;
limits the number of its members to two hundred (except in case of One Person
Company)
prohibits any invitation to the public to subscribe for any securities of the company.
There should be at least two persons to form a private company i.e., the minimum no.
of members in a private company is two. A private company should have at least two
directors. The name of a private limited company must end with the words "Private
Limited".
Public Company:
As per Section 2(71),
• is not a private company
• Seven or more members are required to form the company.
• a private company which is a subsidiary of a public company shall also be
deemed to be a public company for the purposes of this Act, even where such
subsidiary company continues to be a private company in its articles
• A public company should have at least three directors. The name of a public
limited company must end with the word "Limited".
Small Company
Section 2(85),
(i) paid-up share capital of which does not exceed fifty lakh rupees or such higher
amount as may be prescribed which shall not be more than ten crore rupees;
And
(ii) turnover of which as per as per profit and loss account for the immediately preceding
financial year does not exceed two crore rupees or such higher amount as may be
prescribed which shall not be more than one hundred crore rupees:
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J.K.SHAH CLASSES INTER C.A.- LAW
Associate company
(a) Section 2(6), In relation to another company, means a company in which that other
company has a significant influence, but which is not a subsidiary company of the
company having such influence and includes a joint venture company.
(b) "significant influence" means control of at least twenty per cent. of total voting
power, or control of or participation in business decisions under an agreement;
BASED ON CAPITAL
• Listed company:
• Unlisted company:
OTHER COMPANIES
1. Government Company
Section 2(45), government company means any company in which not less than
fifty- one per cent. of the paid-up share capital is held by-
(i) the Central Government, or
(ii) by any State Government or Governments, or
partly by the Central Government and partly by one or more State
Governments,
And the section includes a company which is a subsidiary company of such a
Government company;
2. Foreign Company
As per Section 2(42),
(i) has a place of business in India whether by itself or through an agent, physically
or through electronic mode; and
(ii) conducts any business activity in India in any other manner.
4. Dormant company:
Where a company is formed and registered under this Act for a future project or
to hold an asset or intellectual property and has no significant accounting
transaction, such a company or an inactive company may make an application to
the Registrar in such manner as may be prescribed for obtaining the status of a
dormant company.
5. Nidhi company:
As per Section 406, a company which has been incorporated as a nidhi with the object
of cultivating the habit of thrift (cost cutting) and savings amongst its members,
receiving deposits from, and lending to, its members only, for their mutual benefits and
which complies with such rules as are prescribed by the Central Government for
regulation of such class of companies.
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
• INCORPORATION OF COMPANIES
I. Selection of the type of company
II. Preliminary Requirements
III. Reservation of Name
IV. Preparation of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association
V. Filing of the documents with the Registrar of Companies
(a) The memorandum and articles
(b) a declaration in the prescribed
(c) an declaration in Form INC-9
(d) The address for correspondence
(e) prescribed particulars of every subscriber
(f) particulars of the interests of the persons mentioned in the articles as the
first directors along with FormDIR-12
(g) E-Form INC-22
VI. Certificate of Incorporation and allotment of Corporate Identity Number
VII. Effect of Registration [Sec. 9]
VIII. Commencement of Business [Sec. 11]
• MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
“Fundamental Document”
Memorandum of Association is the fundamental condition upon which alone is
allowed to incorporate.
Change within the local Change from one city to Change from one city to another within the same State involving
limits of same 'town another within the same State change of jurisdiction of Registrar of Companies [Sec. 12]:
[Sec. 12]: and which does not involve
A company can change its the change of jurisdiction of A special resolution has to be passed in the general meeting of the
registered office from one Registrar of Companies, [Sec. company.
place to another within the 12]:
local limits of the city, town Apply to Regional Director for approval
or village, where it is A special resolution has to be
situated by passing a passed in the general meeting Regional Director shall communicate within a period of 30 days from
Board Resolution. of the company. The special the date of receipt of application
Resolution shall be passed by
Postal Ballot in case of public The company shall file the confirmation with the Registrar within a
A notice of the change is company. period of 60 days of the date of confirmation
to be given to the Registrar
of Companies in Form Form No. MGT.14 shall be filed ROC shall register the same and certify the registration within a
INC.22 within 15 days of to the Registrar of Companies period of 30 days from the date of filing of such confirmation.
such change. within 30 days of passing the
☻ This change of special resolution. Form No. MGT.14 shall be filed to the Registrar of Companies within
registered office does 30 days of passing the special resolution.
not involve alteration Also within 15 days of the
of memorandum. change of the registered office, Also within 15 days of the change of the registered office, a notice to the
a notice to the Registrar should Registrar should be given of the new location of the office in Form No.
be given of the new location of INC.22.
the office in Form No. INC.22. ☻This change of registered office also does not involve alteration of
☻This change of registered memorandum.
☻ This provision is applicable only in those states where there are
office also does not involve more than one offices of Registrar of Companies. At present there are
alteration of memorandum. two states, where there are more than one offices of ROCs. They are
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. In Maharahstra, the two offices of ROCs
are located at Mumbai and Pune; whereas in Tamil Nadu, the two
offices of ROCs are located at Chennai and Coimbatore.
Central Government shall communicate within a period of 60 days from the date of
receipt of application
The Central Government, before passing its order, may satisfy itself that the alteration
has the consent of the creditors, debenture-holders and other persons concerned with
the company or that the sufficient provision has been made by the company either for
the due discharge of all its debt and obligations or that adequate security has been
provided for such discharge.
The ROC of the State where the registered office is being shifted to, shall issue a fresh
certificate of incorporation indication the alteration.
Also Form No. MGT.14 shall be filed to the Registrar of Companies within 30 days of
passing the special resolution. Also within 15 days of the change of the registered
office, a notice to the Registrar should be given of the new location of the office in
Form No. INC.22.
☻ A State Government cannot oppose shifting of the registered office of a company
from one state to another on the ground that by this change the State would be
deprived of its revenue. The question of loss of revenue to one state would have
to be considered in the context of total revenue of the Republic of India and in the
interest of the country as a whole.
☻ It was held that employees’ union, which is a registered body and which
represents quite a number of the employees employed at a registered office of
the company, has the right to appear and to oppose the application made to the
Central Government u/s 13 on the ground that their interests would be likely to be
prejudicially affected if such special resolution would be confirmed by the Central
Government
☻ This change of registered office INVOLVES alteration of memorandum.
• OBJECT CLAUSE
• Pass SR
• Alter MOA
• Copy of SR + copy of altered MOA submit to ROC
• LIABILTY CLAUSE
Extinguish or reduce the Cancel any paid-up share Pay off any paid-up
liability on any of its capital which is lost or is share capital which is in
shares in respect of the unrepresented by excess of the wants of
the company
share capital not paid up available assets
• ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
The articles of a company are its bye — laws or rules and regulations that govern
the management of its internal affairs and the conduct of its business. The
articles of a company are sub—ordinate to and are controlled by the
memorandum of association. The memorandum lays down the scope and
powers of the company and the articles govern the ways in which the objects of
the company are to be carried out.
Definition and Meaning of Articles Section 2(5) of the Companies Act, 2013:
'Articles' means the articles of association of a company as originally framed or
as altered from time to time in pursuance of any previous companies law or of
this Act.
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
UNIT 3: PROSPECTUS AND ALLOTMENT OF SECUTITIES
Section 33 of the Act relating to the issue of application forms for securities says that:
(1) The form of application for the purchase of any of the securities of a company
shall be issued along with an abridged prospectus.
As per the definition contained in the section 2(1) of the Companies Act, 2013,
abridged prospectus means a memorandum containing such salient
features of a prospectus as may be specified by the Securities and Exchange
board by making regulations in this behalf.
Exceptions: There are, however, certain exceptions to the above provision,
where an abridged prospectus containing all the prescribed details need not
accompany the Application Forms sent out. These exceptions are:
(a) In connection with a bona fide invitation to a person to enter into an
underwriting agreement with respect to such securities; or
(b) In relation to securities which were not offered to the public.
Application Money : The company must have received in cash the amount payable on
application, which must not be less than 5% of the nominal value of the securities or
such other amount or per cent as may be specified by SEBI; and deposited the
amount received in a separate account.
Listing Permission:
Return of Allotment:
PAS.3,
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
UNIT 4: SHARE CAPITAL AND DEBENTURES
Issued Capital
Subscribed Capital
• SHARE
Definition and Meaning of Share: Section 2(84) of the Companies Act, 2013
defines the term "share". As per this, share means a share in the share capital of
a company and includes stock.
By its nature, a share is not a sum of money but a bundle of rights and
liabilities. A share is a right to participate in the profits of a company, while it is a
going concern and declares dividend; and a right to participate in the assets of
the company, when it is wound up.
The shares or debentures or other interests of any member in a company shall
be movable property transferable in the manner provided by the articles of the
company [Section 44 of the Companies Act, 2013]. Every share in a company
having a share capital, shall be distinguished by its distinctive number [Section
45]. This shall not apply to a share held by a person whose name is entered as
holder of beneficial interest in such share in the records of a depository.
Basic requirement (Section 45 and 46): Physical entitlement to a particular
portion of share capital is prima facie evidenced by way of a share certificate
which has to be
1. Distinctively numbered; &
2. To be issued under common seal of the company or signed by two directors
or by a director and the Company Secretary, wherever the company has
appointed a Company Secretary.
Demat—Now-a-days most of the listed shares are held in electronic format. Even
banks and financial institutions now insist for demat of securities for charge
creation to facility corroboration with central registry for loans and mortgages.
Physical securities are mostly limited to private limited companies and closely
held companies.
At present there are two depositories in India: NSDL and CDSL with various
depository participants (DPs) linked to them. Dematerialised securities are held
by investors in their respective accounts with the DP. The DP keeps a track of
transfer, transmission, charge creation etc. There are necessary enabling legal
enactments to facilitate all these procedures.
• PREFERENCE SHARE
Meaning: A preference share is a share which fulfils the following two conditions:
It carries preferential right in respect of payment of dividend; and
It also carries preferential right in regard to repayment of capital.
In simple terms, preference share capital must have priority both regards to
dividend as well as capital.
Issue of preference shares: Section 55 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with
Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 provides that a
company, if so authorized by its articles of association, may issue
redeemable preference shares, subject to the following conditions :
(a) The issue of such shares has been authorized by passing a special
resolution in the general meeting of the company;
(b) The company, at the time of such issue of preference shares, has no
subsisting default in the redemption of preference shares issued either
before or after the commencement of this Act or in payment of dividend due
on any preference shares; and
(c) The company cannot issue preference shares which is redeemable after the
expiry of 20 years from the date of its issue. However, a company engaged
in the setting up and dealing with of infrastructural projects, as defined in
Schedule VI to this Act, may issue preference shares for a period exceeding
20 years but not exceeding 30 years, subject to the redemption of a
minimum ten percent of such preference shares per year from the twenty
first year onwards or earlier, on proportionate basis, at the option of the
preference shareholders.
It may be noted that a company cannot issue irredeemable preference
shares.
Redemption of preference shares: A company can redeem its redeemable
preference shares subject to the following conditions:-
1. Shares are fully paid-up;
2. Share may be redeemed only out of the profits available for distribution as
dividend or out of proceeds of a fresh issue of shares made for the purpose
of redemption;
3. Where the shares are redeemed out of the profits available for distribution
as dividend, a sum equal to the nominal amount of the shares redeemed
shall be transferred out of profits to the Capital Redemption Reserve
Account, which can be utilized only for the purpose of issuing fully-paid
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J.K.SHAH CLASSES INTER C.A.- LAW
bonus shares, otherwise it shall be deemed to be reduction of share capital;
and
4. If premium is payable on redemption, it must have been provided for out of
profits or out of company's security premium account. However, such class
of companies as may be prescribed whose financial statements comply with
Accounting Standards prescribed for such class of companies cannot utilize
securities premium account for providing premium payable on redemption
of preference shares or debentures.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 52(2) of the Act, the securities
premium can be utilized only for the following purposes :-
(a) Issuing fully — paid bonus shares to members;
(b) Writing off the balance of the preliminary expenses of the company;
(c) Writing off commission paid or discount allowed, or the expenses
incurred on issue of shares or debentures of the company;
(d) For providing for the premium payable on redemption of any
redeemable preference shares or debentures of the Company; and
(e) For the purchase of its own shares or other specified securities u/s 68.
Conditions:
1. The shares must be of class already issued;
2. At least one year must have elapsed since the Company had commenced
business;
Purpose : A company would opt for buy — back for the following reasons:
(i) To improve shareholder value - Buy back generally results in higher earning
per share (E.P.S.)
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J.K.SHAH CLASSES INTER C.A.- LAW
(ii) As a defence mechanism - Buy back provides a safeguard against hostile
take — overs by increasing promoters' holding.
(iii) To provide an additional exit route to shareholders when shares are
undervalued or thinly traded.
(iv) To return surplus cash to shareholders.
Sources of buyback: Following are the important provisions of Section 68 :-
A company may purchase its own shares or other specified securities out of :
(i) its free reserves;
(ii) the securities premium account; or
(iii) the proceeds of an earlier issue of shares or other specified securities.
However, no buy - back can be done out of proceeds of an earlier issue of
same kind of shares/ securities.
Conditions for buyback: For buy - back purpose, the following conditions must
be fulfilled :-
(i) Buy - back is authorized by the articles of association of the Company.
(ii) A company may, by a Board Resolution, buy - back up to 10% of the
aggregate of paid - up equity capital and free reserves. This Board
resolution must be passed at a Board Meeting only and not by circulation.
If the company wants to buy-back more than 10% of the aggregate of paid
up equity capital and free reserves but up to 25% of the aggregate of the
paid - up capital (equity & preference) and free reserves, then a Special
Resolution in the general meeting is required.
The aforesaid limits are to be applied to the amount required for buy-back of
such shares/ securities.
(iii) In the case of buy - back of equity shares only, the buy - back in any financial
year shall not exceed 25% of its total paid - up equity capital in that financial
year.
The aforesaid limit is to be applied to the number of shares to be bought
back.
(iv) After buy - back, the debt equity ratio shall be less than or equal to 2 i.e., the
debt should not be more than twice the equity after buy - back. Here 'debt'
means secured as well as unsecured debts; and 'equity' means paid-up share
capital and free reserves.
However, Central Government may, by order, notify a higher debt equity
ratio for a class or classes of companies.
(v) All the shares or other specified securities for buy - back are fully paid - up.
(vi) Buy-back offer shall not be made within a period of one year reckoned from
the date of the closure of the preceding offer of buy-back, if any.
(vii) If company is listed, then SEBI (Buy-Back of Securities) Regulations, 1998
made by SEBI are complied with; and if the company is not listed, then
Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014 made by Central
Government are complied with.
Disclosure: The Companies will have to make full and complete disclosure of all
material facts in the notice of the meeting at which special resolution is proposed
to be passed. These disclosures will include the necessity for buy — back; the
time limit for completion of the buy — back; class of securities intended to be
purchased; and amount to be invested for buy — back.
Time period for buyback: Every buy — back shall be completed within one year
from the date of passing the Special Resolution or Board Resolution, as the case
may be. If the company is not able to do so, then the reasons for such failure
shall be disclosed in the Directors' Report. Further, in order to pursue the same
buy-back, a fresh Board Resolution or Special Resolution, as the case may be,
will be required.
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J.K.SHAH CLASSES INTER C.A.- LAW
The buyback may be
(i) from the existing holders on a proportionate basis;
(ii) from the open market; or
(iv) from the employees of the company to whom shares / securities have been
issued under a scheme of stock option or as sweat equity.
A company can implement buy-back by any of the aforesaid methods but, for a
single offer of buy-back, different methods of buy-back cannot be adopted.
Declaration of solvency: After passing the special resolution or board resolution
and before making buy back, the company is required to file 'a declaration of
solvency' in Form No. SH.9 with the ROC and also with SEBI, if listed. This
declaration of solvency shall be signed by at least two directors of the company,
one of whom shall be the managing director, if any.
Destruction of securities: The company shall extinguish and physically destroy
the shares / securities bought— back within 7 days of the last date of completion
of buy — back.
Cooling period: The Company shall not make any issue of same kind of shares/
securities (including rights shares) within a period of 6 months from the date of
completion of buy — back.
Exceptions are :-
(i) Bonus issue;
(ii) Conversion of warrants;
(iii) Stock option scheme;
(iv) Sweat equity; and
(v) Conversion of preference shares debentures into equity shares.
Register of buyback: The Company shall maintain a register of shares /
securities bought—back in Form No. SH.10, giving the following details :-
(i) the consideration paid;
(ii) the date of cancellation;
(iii) the date of extinguishment and physical destruction; and
(iv) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
After the completion of buy — back, the company shall file with the ROC and also
with SEBI, if listed, a return in Form No. SH.11 containing such particulars as
may be prescribed, within 30 days of such completion.
Penalty: In case of default, the company shall be punishable with fine which shall
not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to three lakh rupees and
every officer of the company who is in default shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which shall
not be less than one lakh rupees but which may extend to three lakh rupees, or
with both.
Transfer to Capital Redemption Reserve [Section 69] : Where a company
purchases its own shares out of free reserves, then a sum equal to the nominal
value of the share so purchased shall be transferred to the capital redemption
reserve account and details of such transfer shall be disclosed in the balance
sheet. The capital redemption reserve account shall be utilized by the company
only for the purposes of issuing fully paid bonus shares.
Prohibition for buy-back in certain circumstances (Section 70): This section
of the Companies Act, 2013 prohibits the company for buy back in the certain
circumstances.
(1) The provision says that no company shall directly or indirectly purchase its
own shares or other specified securities-
(a) Through any subsidiary company including its own subsidiary companies; or
(b) Through any investment company or group of investment companies; or
(c) If a default, is made by the company, in repayment of deposits or interest
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J.K.SHAH CLASSES INTER C.A.- LAW
payment thereon, redemption of debentures or preference shares or payment of
dividend to any shareholder or repayment of any term loan or interest payable
thereon to any financial institutions or banking company.
But where the default is remedied and a period of three years has
lapsed after such default ceased to subsist, there such buy-back is
not prohibited.
(2) No company shall directly or indirectly purchase its own shares or other
specified securities in case such company has not complied with provisions
of Sections 92( Annual Report), 123(Declaration of dividend),
127(Punishment for failure to distribute dividends), and section 129(
Financial Statements).
• TRANSFER OF SHARES
Transfer of shares means the voluntary conveyance of the rights and possibly,
the duties of a member (as represented in a share in the company) from a
shareholder who wishes to cease to be a member to a person desirous of
becoming a member. Thus, shares in a company are transferable like any other
moveable property in the absence of express restrictions under the articles.
Section 56 of the Companies Act, 2013 deals with the transfer and transmission
of securities or interest of a member in the company.
1. A proper instrument of transfer, in such form as may be prescribed, duly
stamped, dated and executed by or on behalf of the transferor and the
transferee (except where the transfer is between persons both of whose
names are entered as holders of beneficial interest in the records of a
depository), specifying the name, address and occupation, if any, of the
transferee, has been delivered to the company by the transferor or the
transferee within a period of 60 days from the date of execution,
(+)
The certificate relating to the securities, or if no such certificate is in existence,
along with the letter of allotment of securities.
2. In case a company has partly —paid shares and where the company has
received any instrument of transfer of such shares from transferor, the
company shall give a notice by registered post to the transferee and shall
register the transfer only when no objection is received from the transferee
within 2 weeks from the date of receipt of notice.
3. Where the instrument of transfer has been lost or the instrument of transfer
has not been delivered within the prescribed period, the company may register
the transfer on such terms as to indemnity as the Board may think fit.
Apply to NCLT
Power of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) : The tribunal, while dealing with an
appeal both in respect of private and public company, may, after hearing the parties, either
dismiss the appeal, or by order —
(a) Direct that the transfer or transmission shall be registered by the company and the
company shall comply with such order within a period of ten days of the receipt of the
order; or
(b) Direct rectification of the register and also direct the company to pay damages, if any,
sustained by any party aggrieved.
Distinction between Transfer and Transmission
(1) Transfer is a voluntary act of a member while transmission is by operation of law.
(2) There is always consideration involved in transfer whereas in transmission, there
is no question of consideration, hence no stamp duty, etc.
(3) Transfer is affected as transfer of property when a member intends to sell it
whereas transmission takes place only on the death, bankruptcy and lunacy of
the member.
(4) In case of transfer, the member has to execute a valid instrument of transfer
whereas in case of transmission, it is not so possible.
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J.K.SHAH CLASSES INTER C.A.- LAW
PART B : DEBENTURES
Definition and meaning of debenture
Section 2 (30) of the Companies Act, 2013 defines a debenture as :
“Debenture includes debenture stock. bonds or any other instrument of a company
evidencing a debt, whether constituting a charge on the assets of the company or not".
In simple terms, a debenture may be defined as an instrument acknowledging a debt by a
company to some person or persons.
Kinds of debenture
1. Issue of debentures with an option to convert: A company may issue debentures
with an option to convert such debentures into shares, either wholly or partly at the
time of redemption. Provided that the issue of debentures with an option to convert
such debentures into shares, wholly or partly, shall be approved by a special
resolution passed at a general meeting.
2. Unsecured/Naked Debentures: Where they are not secured by any mortgage or
charge on any property of the company, they are said to be naked or unsecured.
3. Secured Debentures: Where debentures are secured by a mortgage or a charge on
the property of the company. They are called secured debentures.
A company shall issue secured debentures, after unless it complies with the
following conditions, namely:-
(a) An issue of secured debentures may be made, provided the date of its
redemption shall not exceed ten years from the date of issue. However, a
company engaged in the setting up of infrastructure projects may issue
secured debentures for a period exceeding ten years but not exceeding
thirty years for companies engaged in setting up of infrastructure projects;
(b) Such an issue of debentures shall be secured by the creation of a charge on
the assets of the company, by way of either mortgage or hypothecation only,
having a value which is sufficient for the due repayment of the amount of
debentures and interest thereon;
(c) The company shall appoint a debenture trustee before the issue of prospectus
or letter of offer for subscription of its debentures; and
(d) The company shall execute a debenture trust deed in Form No. SH.12 or as
near thereto as possible, within 60 days from the date of allotment of the
debentures.
Trust Deed :
There are several advantages of having a trust deed, some of which are as follows :-
1. The trustees hold the title deeds of the mortgaged property, which prevents the
company from misusing the title deeds for any purpose.
2. The trustees are given power under the trust deed so that the property
mortgaged is kept insured and is maintained in proper condition.
Debenture Trustee:
When debentures are issued for public subscription, involving a considerable
number of debenture holders, who do not have the time to look after their interests in
the properties mortgaged or charged to them, a trustee may be appointed for the
supervision of their common interest.
The trustees act as watchdogs to ensure that company's obligations under the trust
deed are carried out and they can act expeditiously and effectively to safeguard the
interests of the debenture holders.
Appointment of Debenture Trustee :
a) When the company issues prospectus or make an offer or invitation to the
public or to its members exceeding 500 for the subscription of its debentures,
then appointing a debenture-trustee is mandatory
b) The company shall appoint debenture trustees, after complying with the
following conditions, namely.-
- the names of the debenture trustees shall be stated in letter of offer
inviting subscription for debentures and also in all the subsequent notices
or other communications sent to the debenture holders;
- before the appointment of debenture trustee or trustees, a written
consent shall be obtained from such debenture trustee or trustees
proposed to be appointed and a statement to that effect shall appear in
the letter of offer issued for inviting the subscription of the debentures.
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
UNIT 5: ACCEPTANCE OF DEPOSITS BY COMPANIES
KINDS OF DEPOSIT
Appointment Every company, inviting secured deposits, shall appoint one or mere
of Trustee trustees for depositors for creating security for the deposits.
for The company shall execute a deposit trust deed in Form DPT-2 at least
Depositors, 7 days before issuing the circular or circular in the form of
etc. [Rules advertisement.
7] : The duties and functions of depositor trustee shall generally be ---
(i) To protect the interest of holders of depositors (including creation of
securities within the stipulated time); and
(ii) To redress the grievances of holders of depositors effectively.
Disqualification: No person including a company that is in the business
of providing trusteeship services shall be appointed as a trustee for the
depositors, if the proposed trustee—
a) is a director, key managerial personnel or any other officer or an
employee of the company or of its holding, subsidiary or
associate company or a depositor in the company;
b) is indebted to the company, or its subsidiary or its holding or
associate company or a subsidiary of such holding company;
c) has any material pecuniary relationship with the company;
d) has entered into any guarantee arrangement in respect of
principal debts secured by the deposits or interest thereon;
e) is related to any person specified above.
No trustee for depositors shall be removed from office after the issue of
circular or advertisement and before the expiry of his term except with
the consent of all the directors present at a meeting of the board.
Register of Every company accepting deposits shall keep, at its registered office,
Deposits one or more registers in which there shall be entered, separately in
[Rule 14] : case of each depositor, the fo1lowing particulars, namely:-
(i) Name, address and PAN of the depositor/s;
(ii) Particulars of guardian, in case of a minor;
(iii) Particulars of the nominee;
(iv) Deposit receipt number;
(v) Date and the amount of each deposit;
(vi) Duration of the deposit and the date on which each deposit is
repayable;
(vii) Rate of interest or such deposits to be payable to the depositor;
(viii) Due date for payment of interest;
(ix) Mandate and instructions for payment of interest and for non-
deduction of tax at source, if any;
(x) Date or dates on which the payment of interest shall be made;
(xi) Details of deposit insurance including extent of deposit insurance;
(xii) Particulars of security or charge created for repayment of deposits;
(xiii) Any other relevant particulars;
The entries specified above shall be made within 7 days from the date
of issuance of the receipt duly authenticated by a director or secretary
of the company or by any other officer authorised by the Board for this
purpose.
The register or registers must be preserved in good order for a period
of not less than 8 calendar years from the financial year in which the
(iii) Punishment: If a company fails to repay the deposit or part thereof or any
interest thereon within the time specified or such further time as may be allowed
by the Tribunal, the company shall, in addition to the payment of the amount of
deposit or part thereof and the interest due, be punishable with fine which shall
not be less than one crore rupees but which may extend to ten crore rupees and
every officer of the company who is in default shall be punishable with
imprisonment which may extend to seven years or with fine which shall not be
less than twenty-five lakh rupees but which may extend to two crore rupees, or
with both.
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
UNIT 6: REGISTRATION OF CHARGES
• DEFINITION OF CHARGE
A charge is a security, given for securing loans or debentures. The security may be
provided either by way of mortgage, hypothecation or pledge.
Thus, charge is a general concept and it covers each and every mode of creating the
security on the assets of a company, for the purpose of securing the repayment of any
debt due by a company.
KINDS OF CHARGE
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
UNIT 7: MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION
Rule 7 Foreign Register: A company may, if so authorised by its articles, keep in any
country outside India, in such manner as may be prescribed, a part of the
register, called foreign register containing the names and particulars of the
members, debenture-holders, other security holders or beneficial owners residing
outside India
The company shall –
1. Transmit to its registered office in India, a copy of every entry in any foreign
register within 15 days after the entry is made; and
2. Keep at such office a duplicate register for all the purposes of this Act, be
deemed to part of the principal register.
Power to close Company may close the register of members or the register of
register of debenture-holders or the register of other security holders for
members or any period or periods not exceeding in the aggregate 45 days in
debenture- each year, but not exceeding 30 days at any one time, subject to
holders or other giving of previous notice of at least 7 days.
security holders
[Section 91]
Annual return Every company shall prepare a return (hereinafter referred to as
[Section 92] the annual return) in the prescribed form containing the
particulars as they stood on the close of the financial year
regarding—
a) its registered office, principal business activities, particulars of
its holding, subsidiary and associate companies;
b) its shares, debentures and other securities and shareholding
pattern;
c) its indebtedness;
d) its members and debenture-holders along with changes
therein since the close of the previous financial year;
e) its promoters, directors, key managerial personnel along with
changes therein since the close of the previous financial year;
f) meetings of members or a class thereof, Board and its
various committees along with attendance details;
g) remuneration of directors and key managerial personnel;
h) penalty or punishment imposed on the company, its directors
or officers and details of compounding of offences and
appeals made against such penalty or punishment;
i) matters relating to certification of compliances, disclosures as
may be prescribed;
such other matters as may be prescribed, and signed by a
director and the company secretary, or where there is no
company secretary, by a company secretary in practice.
The Central Government may prescribe abridged form of annual
return for "One Person Company, small company and such other
class or classes of companies as may be prescribed
Every company shall file with the Registrar a copy of the annual
return, within 60 days from the date on which the annual general
meeting is held or where no annual general meeting is held in any
year within 60 days from the date on which the annual general
meeting should have been held together with the statement
PART B: MEETINGS
Introduction:
Every company, other than One Person Company (OPC), shall, in each
year hold (in addition to any other meetings) a general meeting as its
Annual General Meeting.
According, to General Clauses Act, 1897, a 'year' means a period of 12
months running from l" January to 31st December. Thus, holding of an
.Annual General Meeting, in every calendar year is a statutory requirement.
The proper authority to call Annual General Meeting is the Board of
Directors.
☻ Department of Company Affairs has clarified that while granting the extension, ROC
can ignore the requirement of holding an AGM in every calendar year. However in
such a case, AGM held in the next year shall be deemed to the AGM of the previous
year and for the next year, one more AGM will be required to be held.
(b) In the case of a company not having a share capital, members holding at
least one-tenth of total voting power of all the members who have a right to
vote in regard to that matter.
The Board of Directors shall, on receipt of requisition, immediately proceed
to call E.G.M. within 21 days from the date of the deposit of requisition,
on a date, which shall not be later than 45 days of the date of deposit
of requisition. The BOD shall be said to have failed in calling the meeting
if:
(i) it does not call the meeting within 21 days of the deposit of requisition;
(ii) it calls the meeting on a day which is later than 45 days from the date
of deposit of requisition; or
(iii) it convenes a meeting to transact only a part of the business specified
in the requisition.
(c) Where the Board fails to call a meeting, the meeting may be called by the
requisitionists themselves within a period of three months from the
date of the deposit of requisition. A meeting under called by the
requisitionists shall be called and held in the same manner in which the
meeting is called and held by the Board.
Here, requisitionists shall convene the meeting at the Registered Office of
the Company or at some other place within the city, town or village in which
the registered office of the company is situated. Further, the EGM shall be
held on a working day.
Provisions:
In case of public company:
Number of members as on date of meeting Quorum for meeting
Up to 1000 5 members personally present
> 1000 but ≤ 5000 15 members personally present
> 5000 30 members personally present
In the case of a private company, 2 members personally present, shall be
the quorum for a meeting of the company.
The representative of a company, if it holds shares in another company,
shall be deemed to be a member of the company for all practical purposes
under Section 113 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Similarly, the representative of the President or the Governor of a State,
if they hold shares in a company, shall be deemed to be member of the
company for all practical purposes under Section 112 of the Companies
Act.
Consequences of absence of quorum [Section 103(2)]:
If the quorum is not present within half-an-hour from the time appointed for
holding a meeting of the company—
a. the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at
the same time and place, or
b. to such other date and such other time and place as the Board may
determine; or
c. The meeting, if called by requisitionists (under section 100), shall
stand cancelled.
In case of adjournment, notice is required to be given to the members:
Where there is adjournment or of change of day, time and place of meeting,
the company is required to give not less than three days' notice to the
members either individually or by publishing and advertisement in the
newspapers (one in English and one in vernacular language) which is in
circulation at the place where the registered office of the company is
situated.
Section 103(3) lays down that if at the adjourned meeting also, quorum is
not present within half an hour from the time appointed for holding the
meeting, the members present shall constitute quorum.
Any resolution passed without a quorum is invalid. In fact, if no quorum is
present there is no meeting and the proceedings are invalid. But if all the
members of a company are present in person the proceedings will be valid
even if the quorum required is more than the total number of shareholders.
Provisions :
Transaction of business through postal ballot: According to section 110, the
following items of business shall be transacted only by means of voting
through a postal ballot-
(a) alteration of the objects clause of the memorandum and in the
case of the company in existence immediately before the
commencement of the Act, alteration of the main objects of the
memorandum;
(b) alteration of articles of association in relation to insertion or removal
of provisions which, under section 2(68), are required to be included in
the articles of a company in order to constitute it a private company;
(c) change in place of registered office outside the local limits of any
city, town or village as specified in section 12(5);
(d) change in objects for which a company has raised money from
public through prospectus and still has any unutilized amount out of
the money so raised under section 13(8);
(e) issue of shares with differential rights as to voting or dividend or
otherwise under section 43;
(f) variation in the rights attached to a class of shares or debentures
or other securities as specified under section 48;
(g) buy-back of shares by a company under section 68;
(h) election of a director under section 151 of the Act;
(i) Sale of the whole or substantially the whole of an undertaking of a
company as specified under section 180;
(j) giving loans or extending guarantee or providing security in excess
of the limit specified under section 186:
It is mandatory for a company to pass resolution by postal ballot
in respect of such items of business as the Central Government
may, by notification, declare to be transacted only by means of
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
UNIT 8: DECLARATION AND PAYMENT OF DIVIDEND
(Section 125)
Constitution of IEPF
• The Central Government shall constitute, by notification, an authority for
administration of the Fund consisting of a chairperson and such other members,
not exceeding seven and a chief executive officer, as the Central Government
may appoint.
• The manner of administration of the Fund, appointment of chairperson, members
and chief executive officer, holding of meetings of the authority shall be in
accordance with such rules as may be prescribed.
• The Central Government may provide to the authority such offices, officers,
employees and other resources in accordance with such rules as may be
prescribed.
• The authority shall administer the Fund and maintain separate accounts and
other relevant records in relation to the Fund in such form as may be prescribed
after consultation with the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India.
• It shall be competent for the authority constituted to spend money out of the Fund
for carrying out the objects specified above.
• The accounts of the Fund shall be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor-
General of India at such intervals as may be specified by him and such audited
accounts together with the audit report thereon shall be forwarded annually by
the authority to the Central Government.
• The authority shall prepare in such form and at such time for each financial year
as may be prescribed its annual report giving a full account of its activities during
the financial year and forward a copy thereof to the Central Government and the
Central Government shall cause the annual report and the audit report given by
the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India to be laid before each House of
Parliament.
CHAPTER 1
THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
UNIT 9: ACCOUNTS OF COMPANIES
Office at its registered office and are kept open for inspection at the
registered office of the company or at such other place in India by any
director during business hours.
Inspection Any director can inspect the books of accounts and other books and
by directors papers of the company during business hours.
Period for The books of account of every company relating to a period of atleast
preservation 8 financial years immediately preceding a financial year, or where
of books the company had been in existence for a period less than eight years,
in respect of all the preceding years together with the vouchers
relevant to any entry in such books of account shall be kept in good
order.
Persons The person responsible to take all reasonable steps to secure
responsible compliance by the company with the requirement of maintenance of
to maintain books of accounts etc. shall be :
books (i) Managing Director,
(ii) Whole-Time Director, in charge of finance
(iii) Chief Financial Officer
(iv) Any other person of a company charged by the Board with
duty of complying with provisions of section 128.
Penalty Imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or with fine
provisions which shall not be less than 50,000 rupees but which may extend to
500,000 rupees or both.
Non
Applicability
(ii) Signing of Board’s Report: The Board’s report and any annexures thereto shall
be signed by its chairperson of the company if he is authorised by the Board
and where he is not so authorised, shall be signed by at least two directors,
one of whom shall be a managing director, or by the director where there is one
director.
(iii) Contravention:
The Companies Act, 2013 lays down the provisions requiring corporate to mandatorily
spend a prescribed percentage of their profits on certain specified areas of social
upliftment in discharge of their social responsibilities. Broadly, CSR implies a concept,
whereby companies decide voluntarily to contribute to a better society and a cleaner
environment – a concept, whereby the companies integrate social and other useful
concerns in their business operations for the betterment of its stakeholders and society
in general in a voluntary way.