Your Directors' have pleasure in presenting the Annual Report of the Company on its business and operations, togetherwith the Audited Financial Statements for the year ended March 31,2025.
The Company has recorded the following performance, for the year ended March 31,2025: (In Lakhs)
Period ended31.03.2025
Period ended31.03.2024
Profit before interest, Depreciation and Taxation (PBIDT)
824.73
257.27
Less: Interest Expenses
87.38
92.34
Profit/(Loss) before depreciation & Taxation (PBDT)
737.35
164.93
Less: Depreciation
25.36
22.10
Profit/(Loss) Before Tax and Extraordinary items (PBTE)
711.99
142.83
Add: Exceptional items
0.04
0.10
Profit/ (Loss) Before Tax (PBT)
712.03
142.93
Less: Provision for Taxation/ (Deferred Tax)
112.79
24.55
Profit/ (Loss) After Tax (PAT) (A)
599.24
118.38
Add: Adjustments during the year (B)
0.00
Profits available for appropriation (A B)
The Company is engaged in the activities of Work Contract & Real Estate development in the Kolkata region. The Companyis involved in all activities across the product value chain from acquisition of land, obtaining approvals, project planningand execution, to launch, sales & marketing and final delivery of the developed property to the customers.
During the year under review, your Company's total revenue stood at Rs. 16.70 crores as compared to Rs. 8.53 crores forthe previous year and the profit before tax stood at Rs. 7.12 crores as compared to Rs. 1.43 crores for the previous year.
Your Company wants to continue to focus and grow its real estate business by leveraging on its brand name, trust andunique know-how of the sector. The Development business is hence expected to experience a healthy growth in thecoming few years. The business strategy remains focused on the following key pillars:
Your Company strives to be a prudent and an efficient steward of your capital. We will continue to explore strategicoptions to clean up the balance sheet, reduce our debt and going debt free in the coming year.
b. Timely execution of projects
The Company has in the recent past demonstrated its focus of timely execution of the various projects and continuesto embark on the strategy of creating finished inventory and liquidating its position in a timely manner. This strategyis incumbent in the current scenario, post the notification of GST and West Bengal Housing Industry Regulatory Act(HIRA).
c. Development of its Property at Chowringhee Road
Your companies is working hard towards the final negotiation steps for its luxurious project in the heart ofChowringhee. It expects to start the project in the coming year.
Your Company is not immune to the macroeconomic headwinds being faced by every corporation of every size in theworld. The Board strongly believes current market scenario would offer opportunities to re-invest the capital to enableus to create more wealth and value for the shareholders in long term. Accordingly, to create long term economic value,the Company should conserve the internal accruals in order to be ready to seize such opportunities. The Directors havetherefore not recommended any dividend for the Financial Year 2024-25.
The Board of your Company consists of the following directors as on 31st March 2025:
Name of Director
Designation
DIN
Mr. Kedar Nath Fatehpuria
Chairman and Managing Director
00711971
Mr. Manish Fatehpuria
Executive Director
00711992
Mrs. Sarika Fatehpuria
Non-Executive Woman Director
03570828
Mr. Mahesh Kumar Tibrewal
Non- Executive Independent Director
00987782
Mr. Devesh Hansraj Poddar
08664698
Mr. Prakash Khetan
01143678
The Company does not have any subsidiary / associate / joint venture company for the year ended 31st March 2025.EXTRACT OF ANNUAL RETURN
In terms of the provisions of Section 92 (3) read with the provision of Section 134 (3) (a) of the Companies Act, 2013, readwith Rule 12 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014, including amendments thereunder, theAnnual Return filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), for the Financial Year 2023-24, is available on the websiteof the Company, viz. https://www.martinburnltd.com/annual-return-us-92 , and the Annual Return for the Financial Year2024-25, will be made available on the website of the Company once it is filed with the MCA.
The Board of Directors met 6 (Six) times during the financial year ended March 31,2025 in accordance with the provisionsof the Companies Act, 2013 and rules made there under. All the Directors actively participated in the meetings andprovided their valuable inputs on the matters brought before the Board of Directors from time to time.
Sl. No.
Date
Board Strength
No. of Directors Present
1
29th May 2024
5
2
14th June 2024
6
3
12th August 2024
4
24th October 2024
28th January 2025
31st March 2025
Pursuant to Section 134(5) of the Act, the Board of Directors, to the best of its knowledge and ability, confirm that:
i. In the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable Indian accounting standards have been followed alongwith proper explanation relating to material departures, if any;
ii. They have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimatesthat are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end ofthe financial year and of the profits and loss of the Company for that period;
iii. They have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance withthe provisions of the Act for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud andother irregularities;
iv. They have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
v. They have laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and that such internal financialcontrols are adequate and are operating effectively; and
vi. They have devised proper system to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that suchsystems are adequate and operating effectively.
During the year under review, no instances of fraud were reported by the Statutory Auditors of the Company.DECLARATION BY INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
The Independent Directors of the Company have submitted declarations that each of them meet the criteria ofindependence as provided in Section 149(6) of the Act along with Rules framed there under and Regulation 16(1) (b) ofthe SEBI, (LODR), 2015, the same have been placed and noted in the meeting of the Board of Directors held on 29th May2024.
In the opinion of the Board, there has been no change in the circumstances which may affect their status as independentdirectors of the Company and the Board is satisfied of the integrity, expertise, and experience (including proficiency interms of Section 150(1) of the Act and applicable rules thereunder) of all Independent Directors on the Board.
In terms of Section 150 read with Rule 6 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014,Independent Directors of the Company have undertaken requisite steps towards the inclusion of their names in the databank of Independent Directors maintained with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.
The Company has received declaration from all the Directors of the Company, none of them are disqualified from beingappointed as directors under Section 164(2) of the Companies Act, 2013.
A Nomination and Remuneration Committee is in existence in accordance with the provisions of sub-section (1) ofSection 178 of the Companies Act, 2013 Regulation 19 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)Regulations, 2015. Kindly refer section on Corporate Governance, under head 'Nomination and Remuneration Committee'for matters relating to constitution, meetings, functions of the Committee and the remuneration policy formulated bythis Committee.
A Nomination and Remuneration Policy formulated and adopted, pursuant to the provisions of Section 178 and otherapplicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rules thereto inter alia define the Companies policy on Directors'appointment and remuneration by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee
The said policy may be referred to, at the Company's website at https://www.martinburnltd.com/policies
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 139 of Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules,2014, as amended, M/s. Saraf & Co. (Firm Registration Number- 312045E) Chartered Accountants, the Statutory Auditorsof the Company, were re-appointed for a second term of five years from the conclusion of the 72nd Annual GeneralMeeting held on 29th September 2020 till the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Company, to be held inthe year 2025.
However, the statutory auditor has vacated the office from 6th August 2024 for failure to get peer review from the Instituteof Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Thereafter, M/s. SD & Associates (FRN: 016223C) was appointed as the statutoryauditors of the Company at the Annual General Meeting held on 06-08-2025 for conducting audit for the Financial Year2024-25.
The Report given by the Statutory Auditors on the financial statements of the Company for the financial year ended 31stMarch, 2025 is a part of the Annual Report. There has been no qualification, reservation, adverse remark or disclaimer inthe report.
The appointment of Cost Auditor is not mandatory to the Company, hence, the Company has not appointed a CostAuditor. Maintenance of Cost Record under Section 148(1) of Companies Act, 2013 is not mandatory for the Company.
As required under provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013, the report in respect of the Secretarial Auditcarried out by Messrs T. Chatterjee & Associates, FRN No. - P2007WB067100, Practicing Company Secretaries in Form MR-3for the FY 2023-25 forms part to this report in Annexure III. The said report does not contain any adverse observationor qualification or modified opinion requiring explanation or comments from the Board under Section 134(3) of theCompanies Act, 2013 except:
1. The disclosure required under Regulation 30 read with clause 7 and 7A of para-A part A of schedule III of SEBI(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 in respect of intimation to the stock exchangeregrading change in Auditor and detailed reasons of such change-
Management Response- The necessary disclosure under regulation 30 of SEBI(LODR) is included in the summaryproceedings of 76th Annual General Meeting and the same is submitted to BSE Limited.
There is no Such Qualification
During the year under review, the Company has granted a loan of Rs. 59.64 Crores under section 186 of the CompaniesAct, 2013 which was approved by the members of the Company by passing a special resolution at its Annual GeneralMeeting held on 6th August 2024.
The information on transactions with related parties pursuant to Section 134(3) (h) of the Act read with Rule 8(2) ofthe Companies (Accounts) Rules 2014 are disclosed in the Balance Sheet. All the contracts were at arm's length and inordinary course of business.
The policy on transactions with 'related party'has been devised by the Board and available in the website of the Companyat https://www.martinburnltd.com/policies.
Further, during the year there were no material related party contracts entered into by the Company and all contractswere at arm's length and in ordinary course of business.
Discussion on state of Company's affairs has been covered in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report.TRANSFER TO RESERVES
It is not proposed to transfer any amount to reserves out of the profits earned during Financial Year 2024-25
MATERIAL CHANGES AND COMMITMENTS, IF ANY, AFFECTING THE FINANCIAL POSITION OF THE COMPANYWHICH HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR OF THE COMPANY TO WHICH THEFINANCIAL STATEMENTS RELATE AND THE DATE OF THE REPORT
No material changes and commitments have occurred after the closure of the year till the date of this Report, which affectthe financial position of the Company.
A. Conservation of Energy and Technology Absorption:
The Company doesn't have any particulars to report regarding conservation of energy and technology absorptionas required under Section 134 (3) (m) of the Companies Act, 2013, read with Rules thereunder.
Particulars
Amount
Foreign exchange earnings
Nil
Foreign exchange outgo
The Board of Directors of the Company has put in place a Risk Management Policy which aims at enhancing shareholders'value and providing an optimum risk-reward trade off. The risk management approach is based on a clear understandingof the variety of risks that the organisation faces, disciplined risk monitoring and measurement and continuous riskassessment and mitigation measures.
For the Financial Year 2024-25, it was not obligatory for your Company to form a policy on Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) or constitute a CSR committee since your Company's net worth, turnover and net profit during the financial yearended 31st March, 2024 was below the threshold limits as specified in Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
However, as on 31st March 2025, your company's net profit exceeds Rs.5 Crore, thus, the obligation in respect to CSRbecomes applicable on the Company w.e.f. 1st April 2025, subsequently, the Board of Directors shall prepare a CSRpolicy and upload the same on the website of the Company and take all other necessary steps to comply with the CSRobligations.
Further, your company is exempted from formulation of CSR Committee under sub section (9) of Section 135 of theCompanies Act, 2013.
Pursuant to provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 17(10) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and DisclosureRequirements) Regulations, 2015, the Board has carried out performance evaluation of its own performance and that ofits committees and individual Directors. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board has formulated aPerformance Evaluation Framework, under which the Committee has identified criteria upon which every Director, everyCommittee and the Board as a whole shall be evaluated.
In the Financial Year 2024-25, there was no change in the nature of business of the Company.
The Board of Directors of the Company comprises of six (6) directors, comprising two Executive Directors including theChairman & Managing Director, three Non-Executive Independent Directors and one Non-Executive Non-IndependentWoman Director. Details given in the Corporate Governance Report.
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
Whole-time Director
Mr. Ranjit Mahato
Chief Financial Officer
Ms. Khushbu Saraf
Company Secretary
Name of theDirector
DIN / MembershipNo.
Category
Date of
Appointment /Re-appointmentCessation
Remarks
Non-Executive
Non-Independent
06-08-2024
Re-appointed, Directorretired by rotation.
Mr. Rajendra KumarKhetan
02472977
Independent
Director
04-04-2024
Cessation due to his sad andsudden demise.
14-06-2024
Appointment as an Non¬Executive IndependentDirector
None
During the year under review, your Company neither accepted any deposits nor there were any amounts outstandingat the beginning of the year which were classified as 'Deposits' in terms of Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013 readwith the Companies (Acceptance of Deposit) Rules, 2014 and hence, the requirement for furnishing of details of depositswhich are not in compliance with the Chapter V of the Companies Act, 2013 is not applicable.
To the best of our knowledge, the Company has not received any such order from the Regulators, Courts or Tribunalsduring the year, which may impact the going concern status or the Company's operation in future.
The Internal Financial Controls with reference to financial statements as designed and implemented by the Companyare adequate. During the year under review, no material or serious observation has been received from the StatutoryAuditors and the Internal Auditors of the Company on the inefficiency or inadequacy of such controls.
Your Company is committed to providing a safe and secure working environment to its women employees and hasin place the required Internal Complaints Committee as envisaged in the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace(Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013.
There were no cases of sexual harassment reported during the year under review.
Neither any application has been made or any proceeding has been pending against the Company under the Insolvencyand Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
DETAILS OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AMOUNT OF THE VALUATION DONE AT THE TIME OF ONE TIME SETTLEMENTAND THE VALUATION DONE WHILE TAKING LOAN FROM THE BANKS OR FINANCIAL INSTITUTION ALONG WITHTHE REASONS THEREOF
During the Financial Year 2024-25, your company has not done any one-time settlement in respect with any banks orfinancial institutions.
During the year under review, your Company focused on its People strategy towards creating a high performing workculture. The cornerstone of your Company's talent strategy was to redesign the organization to deliver on businessimperatives and build a leadership pipeline of critical positions.
Your Company's HR Policies are dynamic and are realigned to ensure that they address changing workforce trends, bestpractices and legislative requirements, thereby helping to achieve your Company's evolving objective.
Your Company attaches considerable significance to good Corporate Governance as an important step towards buildinginvestor confidence, improving investors' protection and maximizing long-term shareholders' value. As per SEBI ListingRegulations, the Corporate Governance Report with the Auditors' Certificate thereon and the Management Discussionand Analysis are attached, which forms a part of this report.
A certificate from a Practicing Company Secretary on Compliance of Corporate Governance as stipulated under ScheduleV (E) of the Listing Regulations, has been attached and forms a part of Annual Report.
An Audit Committee is in existence in accordance with the provisions of Section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013 andRegulation 18 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. Kindly refer section onCorporate Governance, under head 'Audit Committee' for matters relating to constitution, meetings and functions of thisCommittee.
There have been no instances where the Board has not accepted the recommendations of the Audit Committee.
The relevant information pursuant to Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel)Rules, 2014, is annexed to this Report.
However, the Report and Financial Statements are being sent to all Shareholders of the Company excluding the informationon employees particulars as per Rule 5 of Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules,2014, as amended, and are available for inspection by the shareholders electronically upto the date of the ensuing AnnualGeneral Meeting. Accordingly, shareholders may write to the Company at investor.relations@martinburnltd.com
In terms of Regulation 34(2) read with paragraph B of Schedule V to the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015, the ManagementDiscussion and Analysis Report is attached as Annexure V and forms an integral part of this Report.
In compliance with the provisions of Section 177(9) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board of Directors of the Companyhas framed the "Whistle Blower Policy” as the vigil mechanism for Directors and employees of the Company. The saidpolicy is available at the website of the Company at www.martinburnltd.com/policies.
A Cash Flow Statement for the year ended 31st March 2025, is attached to the Balance Sheet as a part of the FinancialStatements.
During the year under review:
a) The company has complied with Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries (ICSI) on theBoard and General Meetings.
b) The company does not have any scheme or provision of money for the purchase of its own shares by employees/Directors or by trustees for the benefit of employees/Directors.
c) The Company has not issued equity shares with differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise and
d) There was no change in the share capital or nature of business of the Company.
As on March 31, 2025 amounts of Rs. 4,44,927/- are lying in the unpaid equity dividend account of the Company inrespect of the dividends for FY 2018-19 and FY 2019-20. Members who have not yet received/ claimed their dividendentitlements are requested to contact the Company or the Registrar and Transfer Agents of the Company BY 15th October,2025. Pursuant Section 124 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Investor Education Protection Fund Authority(Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 ("Rules”), all dividends remaining unpaid or unclaimed for a periodof seven years and also the shares in respect of which the dividend has not been claimed by the shareholders for sevenconsecutive years or more are required to be transferred to Investor Education Protection Fund ('IEPF') in accordance withthe procedure prescribed in the Rules.
A list of such members of unclaimed dividend can be downloaded from our website under download section of investorstab. A direct link for accessing the same is shared below:
Weblink: https://www.martinburnltd.com/downloads
Despite several requests to the Shareholders, still 10.11% of equity shares are held in physical form.
As per SEBI notification No SEBI/LAD-NRO/GN/2018/24 dated 8th June 2018 no sale or purchase except in case oftransmission or transposition of securities will be allowed in physical form with effect from 180 days from the date ofpublication of the said notification in the official gazette. Therefore, we would like to suggest to you to kindly convert yourshares of face value of Rs.10/- each from physical mode to demat mode as it will be beneficial to you. In case you do nothave any demat account, you may contact your nearest Depository Participant (DP) who will guide you in opening thesame. Conversion of physical shares to dematerialized shares is a simple process.
The employee relations remained harmonious throughout the year and your Directors wishes to convey their gratitudeand place on record their appreciation for all the executives, staff and workers at all levels for their hard work, solidarity,cooperation and dedication during the year.
ANNEXURE
PARTICULARS
I
Report on Corporate Governance
II
Managing Director's Certificate under Regulation 34(3) read with paragraph D of Schedule V to the SEBI(LODR) Regulations 2015
III
Certificate on Corporate Governance
IV
Certificate of Non-Disqualification of Directors and Secretarial Audit Report,
V
Management Discussion and Analysis Report
VI
Key Financial Ratio
VII
Information forming part of the Board's Report pursuant to Rule 5 of the company (Appointment andRemuneration of managerial personnel) rules, 2014.
VIII
Letter to shareholder for updation of Shareholders' details in the records of the Company
IX
Payment of dividend in electronic mode.
X
Transfer of Equity Shares and Unclaimed Dividend of the Company in respect of which dividend hasbeen unclaimed for seven consecutive years to Demat Account of the IEPF Authority.
Your Board of Directors takes this opportunity to thank all the stakeholders - the Government, shareholders, customers,vendors, bankers and all other associates for their unstinted support and co-operation. Your Directors also wish to placeon record their deep appreciation for the dedication and commitment of all employees of the Company.
For and on behalf of the Board of Directors'Kedar Nath Fatehpuria
Place: Kolkata Chairman and Managing Director
Date: 26-06-2025 (DIN: 00711971)