DIRECTORS' REPORT Your Directors are pleased to present the 20th Annual Report of the Company together with Audited Accounts for the Financial Year ended 31st March, 2015. FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL REVIEW During the year under review, the Company has achieved Nets Sales/Income from operation of Rs. 50,580.19 Lacs as against Rs. 69,802.21 Lacs in previous year registering a decline of 27.54 %. The Company incurred a loss of Rs. 6,143.64 Lacs as against Rs. 5,485.52 Lacs in the previous year. The decline in sales and increase in losses are mainly attributed to depressed market for Ferro alloys impacting the net realization and margin. Slower growth in several sectors of the economy resulted into weaker domestic demand. On the other hand, mining crisis and rising inflation in the country resulted in increase in the cost of raw materials and other overheads which could not be passed on to the consumers. DIVIDEND In view of the losses incurred by the Company, the Directors of your Company do not recommend any dividend for the financial year 2014-15. BOARD MEETINGS The Board met Nineteen (19) times during the year, the details of which are given in the Corporate Governance Report that forms the part of this Annual Report. The intervening gap between the Meetings was within the period prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Lising Agreement. DIRECTORS & KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL Retirement In accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, Mr. Saish Kumar Singh (DIN: 05295625), reires by rotaion and being eligible, offers himself for re-appointment. Resignation During the year Mr. Ashok Kumar Jain (DIN: 02223047), Independent Director of the Company has resigned from the directorship of the Company with efect from October 8, 2014. During the year Mr. Jay Shanker Shukla (DIN: 06391367), Independent Director of the Company has resigned from the directorship of the Company with efect from March 23, 2015. During the year Mr. Santosh Kumar Khandelwal (DIN: 06607979), cease to be Independent Director of the Company with effect from March 24, 2015 due to his sad demise. During the year Mr. Ankit Patni (DIN: 00034907), Non-Executive Promoter Director of the Company has resigned from the directorship of the Company with effect from August 22, 2015. Re-appointment Pursuant to the provisions of Section 149(1) & 161 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the relevant provisions of the Articles of Association, Mrs. Sujata Agarwal (DIN: 06833458) was appointed as an Additional Director (Independent) by the Board of Directors of the Company with effect from October 8, 2014. She holds oice as an Additional Director (Independent) up to the date of the ensuing AGM. The Company has received a notice in writing from a member proposing her candidature for the oice of Independent Woman Director. Mrs. Sujata Agarwal qualifies to be an Independent Woman Director pursuant to the provisions of Section 149(1) & 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 149(1) & 161 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the relevant provisions of the Articles of Association, Mr. Nanda Samai (DIN: 02566965) was appointed as an Additional Director (Independent) by the Board of Directors of the Company with effect from January 16, 2015. He holds office as an Additional Director (Independent) up to the date of the ensuing AGM. The Company has received a notice in writing from a member proposing his candidature for the office of Independent Director. Mr. Nanda Samai qualifies to be an Independent Director pursuant to the provisions of Section 149(1) & 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 149(1) & 161 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the relevant provisions of the Articles of Association, Mr. Rohit Jain (DIN: 07129693) was appointed as an Additional Director (Independent) by the Board of Directors of the Company with effect from March 23, 2015. He holds office as an Additional Director (Independent) up to the date of the ensuing AGM. The Company has received a notice in writing from a member proposing his candidature for the office of Independent Director. Mr. Rohit Jain qualifies to be an Independent Director pursuant to the provisions of Section 149(1) & 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 149, 152 & 160 of the Companies Act, 2013, Mr. Ramesh Seemakurti (DIN: 00096163) was appointed as an Additional Director (Promoter-Non-Executive) of the Company with effect from August 22, 2015 to hold office up to the date of ensuing AGM. The Company has received a notice in writing from a member proposing his candidature for the office of Non-Executive Promoter Director whose period of office would be liable to be determined by retirement of Directors by rotation. The brief particulars of the said Directors have been given in the notice convening the ensuing Annual General Meeting and is annexed as additional information to the notice as required under Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement and your Board recommends their appointment/reappointment as set out in the notice. Chief Financial Officer As per Section 203 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the relevant provisions, Mr. Vivek Jain, was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company with effect from April 29, 2014. However, Mr. Vivek Jain has resigned from the services of the Company with effect from July 17, 2014. Consequent to Mr. Vivek Jain's resignation, the Board appointed Mr. Sanjeet Kumar Gupta as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company with effect from August 25, 2014. Company Secretary Ms. Mamata Chakraborty, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of the Company resigned from the post with effect from February 28, 2015. Consequent to Ms. Mamata Chakraborty's resignation, the Board appointed Ms. Richa Agarwal as the Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of the Company with effect from February 28, 2015. DIRECTOR'S RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT Based on the framework of Internal Financial Controls maintained by the Company, work performed by the Internal, Statutory, Cost and Secretarial Auditors and external agencies, the reviews performed by Management and the relevant Board Committees, the Board, with the concurrence of the Audit Committee, is of the opinion that the Company's internal financial controls were adequate and efecive as on 31st March, 2015. Accordingly, pursuant to Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 the Board of Directors to the best of their knowledge and ability confirm: a) that in the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting standards have been followed along with proper explanation relating to material departures; b) that we have 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) that proper and spiciest care has been taken for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with theprovisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities; d) that the annual accounts have been prepared on a "going concern" basis; e) that proper internal financial controls were laid down and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were operating effectively; and f) that proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws were in place and that such systems were adequate and operating effectively. EXTRACT OF ANNUAL RETURN The details of the extract of the Annual Return in Form MGT 9 is annexed herewith and forms part of this Report as Annexure-I. PUBLIC DEPOSIT The Company has not accepted any deposit within the meaning of Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014. STATUTORY AUDITORS M/s. R. Kothari & Company (FRN: 307069E), Chartered Accountants, retire at the ensuing Annual General Meeting of the Company and have given their consent for re-appointment. The Company has received a certificate confirming their eligilibility to be re-appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company in terms of the provisions of Section 141 of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rules framed there under. The Auditors have also confirmed that they hold a valid certificate issued by the Peer Review Board of the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India as required under the provisions of revised Clause 49 of the Lising Agreement with the Stock Exchanges. STATUTORY AUDITORS OBSERVATION There are no qualifications or adverse remarks in the Auditor's Report which require any clarification/explanation. The notes to accounts referred to in the Auditor's Report are self-explanatory, and therefore, do not call for any further comments/explanations. COST AUDITOR In terms of Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 14 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, on the recommendation of Audit Committee, the Board of Directors has re-appointed M/s. A. J. S. & Associates, Cost Accountants (FRN 0001060), as Cost Auditor of the Company, at a remuneration of Rs. 35,000/- plus applicable taxes and re-imbursement of out of pocket expenses incurred by them to conduct an audit of the cost accounting records maintained by the Company for the current financial year beginning from 1st April, 2015 and ending on 31st March, 2016. As required under section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 14 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, the remuneration payable to cost auditor is being placed at the ensuing Annual General Meeting for ratification by the members. SECRETARIAL AUDIT REPORT In terms of Section 204 of the Act and Rules made there under, M/s. A J & Associates, Practicing Company Secretary have been appointed as Secretarial Auditors of the Company. The report of the Secretarial Auditors is enclosed as Annexure II to this report. SECRETARIAL AUDITOR OBSERVATION The Secretarial Auditor has the following observations in Form MR-3 enclosed as Annexure II. (i) The Chairman and Managing Director is one and the same person. (ii) There were delays in filing of various Forms with Registrar of Companies (ROC), West Bengal. (iii) The demise of Mr. S.K. Khandelwal, Director of the Company, was informed belatedly. Our Comments are as under: (i) There exist confusion in the implementation of the said provision and no notification/clarification from MCA as so far been issued. The Company has discussed the matter with different consultants of repute but there exist in difference of opinion. We are looking into the matter again and will resolve the matter as the sooner to make it in line with the law. The Chairman is said to be a Chairman as he is being the Principal and Senior most Promoter, and the posiion is given to him as a respect by the Board. (ii) Teething issues in implementation of New Companies Act, 2013, led to some delays in filing. (iii) The information of demise of Mr. S.K. Khandelwal was received by the Company after a lapse of more than a month. INTERNAL AUDITOR During the year, M/s. Charupreeti & Co. (FRN: 3268561), Chartered Accountants has given their Internal Audit Report for the quarter ended 31st March, 2015 and has resigned from the Internal Auditor of the Company. Further M/s. NR & Associates (FRN: 102903), Cost Accountants has given their consent to appoint as an Internal Auditor of the Company for the financial year 2015-16. INTERNAL CONTROL SYSTEMS AND THEIR ADEQUACY The Company is equipped with proper and adequate system of internal controls for maintaining proper accounting, cost control and deficiency in operation. The Company also has adequate system to ensure that all of its assets are safeguarded and protected against loss from unauthorised use or disposition, and transactions are authorized, recorded, and reported correctly. The internal control system is supplemented by internal audits, review by management, documented policies and procedures. PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES The prescribed particulars of employees required under Secion 134(3)(q) read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is attached as Annexure III and forms a part of this Report of the Directors. ENERGY CONSERVATION, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE AND OUTGO A statement giving details of Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption and Foreign Exchange Earning and Outgo as required under Section 134(3)(m) read with Rule 8 of Companies Cost (Accounts) Rules 2014 is annexed to this report as Annexure IV. DECLARATION ON COMPLIANCE WITH CODE OF CONDUCTS The Board has formulated a Code of Conducts for the Board Members and Senior Management of the Company, which has been posted on the website of the Company. It is hereby affirmed that all the Directors and Senior Management Personnel have complied with the Code and a confirmation to that effect has been obtained from the Directors and the Senior Management. PREVENTION OF INSIDER TRADING The Company already had a structured Code of Conduct for Prevention of Insider Trading long back, with a view to regulate trading in securities by the Directors and designated employees of the Company. The Code has been further streamlined to keep parity with the new Companies Act, 2013. The Code requires pre-clearance for dealing in the Company's shares and prohibits the purchase or sale of Company's shares by the Directors and the designated employees while in possession of unpublished price sensitive information in relation to the Company and during the period when the Trading Window is closed. The Board is responsible for implementation of the Code. All Directors and the designated employees, who hold any shares in the Company, have confirmed compliance with the Code. SIGNIFICANT AND MATERIAL ORDERS PASSED BY THE REGULATORS/COURTS/TRIBUNALS There are no significant material orders passed by the Regulators/Courts/Tribunals which would impact the going concern status of the Company and its future operaions. PARTICULARS OF LOANS, GUARANTEES OR INVESTMENTS The Company has not given any loans or guarantees covered under the provisions of Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013. The details of the investments made by Company are given in the notes to the Financial Statements. PARTICULARS OF CONTRACTS OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH RELATED PARTIES All contracts/arrangements/transactions entered by the Company during the financial year with related parties were in the ordinary course of business and on 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 between the Company and the Directors, the management, or the relatives except for those disclosed in the Financial Statements. Accordingly, particulars of contracts or arrangements entered into by the Company with related parties referred to in Section 188(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 in Form AOC-2 (Annexure V) is NIL. REMUNERATION POLICY The Board has, on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee framed a policy for selection and appointment of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and their remuneration. A note on Remuneration Policy has been made a part of the Corporate Governance Report. RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY The Company has a deined Risk Management framework to identify, assess, monitor and miigate various risks to key business objectives. Major risks identified by the businesses and functions are systematically addressed through mitigating actions on a continuing basis. The Risk Management Policy provides for identification of risk, its assessment and procedures to minimize risk. The policy is periodically reviewed to ensure that the executive management controls the risk as per decided policy. POLICY ON PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT The Company has adopted policy on Prevention of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace in accordance with The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. During the financial year ended 31st March, 2015, the Company has not received any Complaints pertaining to Sexual Harassment. STATEMENT ON DECLARATION GIVEN BY INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS UNDER SECTION 149(6) The Company has received declarations from all the Independent Directors of the Company confirming that they meet the criteria of independence as laid down under Section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement. FAMILIARISATION PROGRAMME FOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS The Company proactively keeps its Directors informed of the activities of the Company, its management and operations and provides an overall industry perspective as well as issues being faced by the industry. The details of various familiarization programmers provided to the Directors of the Company is available on the Company's website www.impexferrotech.com AUDIT COMMITTEE The composition and terms of reference of the Audit Committee has been furnished in the Corporate Governance Report forming a part of this Annual Report. There has been no instance where the Board has not accepted the recommendations of the Audit Committee. NOMINATION AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEE The composition and terms of reference of the Nomination and Remuneration Commitee has been furnished in the Corporate Governance Report forming a part of this Annual Report. STAKEHOLDERS' RELATIONSHIP COMMITTEE The composition and terms of reference of Stakeholders Relationship Committee has been furnished in the Corporate Governance Report forming a part of this Annual Report. VIGIL MECHANISM POLICY The Board has adopted a Vigil Mechanism Policy for the Company. This policy is formulated to provide opportunity to all the employees to access in good faith, to the Audit Committee of the Company in case they observe any unethical and improper practice or behavior or wrongful conduct in the Company and to prohibit managerial personnel from taking adverse personnel action against such employee. PERFORMANCE/BOARD EVALUATION Pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and Clause 49 of the Lasing Agreement, the Board has carried out an evaluation of its own performance, the Directors individually as well as the evaluation of the working of its Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration Committee and Stakeholders Relationship Committee. A note on Board Evaluation has been made a part of the Corporate Governance Report. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE The Company is committed to maintain the highest standards of Corporate Governance and adhere to the Corporate Governance requirements set out in Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement. The Report on Corporate Governance as stipulated under Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement forms an integral part of this Annual Report. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year under review, as stipulated under Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement with the Stock Exchanges, is presented in a separate section forming part of this Annual Report. CEO/CFO CERTIFICATION As required by Clause 49 of the Listing Agreement, the CEO/CFO certification has been submitted to the Board. GREEN INITIATIVES IN CORPORATE GOVERNANCE Ministry of Corporate Affairs has permitted Companies to send electronic copies of Annual Report, notices etc., to the e-mail IDs of shareholders. Your Company has accordingly arranged to send the soft copies of these documents to the e-mail IDs of shareholders wherever applicable. In case any shareholder would like to receive physical copies of these documents, the same shall be forwarded upon receipt of written request. APPRECIATION Your Directors wish to extend their thanks and appreciation for the valuable and continued support received from the Shareholders, Company's Bankers, Central and State Government Authorities, Stock Exchange(s), CDSL, NSDL and all other Business Associates for the growth of the organization. Your Directors also wish to place on record their deep appreciation to all the employees for their commitment and continued contribution to the Company. For and on behalf of the Board Suresh Kumar Patni Chairman cum Managing Director Place : Kolkata, date : 22nd August, 2015 |