Your Directors present this 52nd Annual Report of the Company on the business and operations of the Company togetherwith Standalone and Consolidated Audited Financial Statements (Ind AS based) for the Financial Year ended 31st March,2025 and the report of the Auditors thereon.
PERFORMANCE AND FINANCIAL RESULTS
The financial performance of the Company for the year ended 31st March, 2025 is summarized below:
FINANCIAL RESULTS - SUMMARY AND HIGHLIGHTS
(Rs. in Crores)
Particulars
Standalone
Consolidated
F.Y. 2024-25
F.Y. 2023-24
Revenue from Operations
4,072.91
3,806.63
4072.91
Other Income
92.14
90.07
Profit / (Loss) before Depreciation, Finance Costand Tax Expense
452.56
226.10
Less: Depreciation / Amortisation / Impairment
392.30
377.41
Profit / (Loss) before Finance Cost and Tax Expense
60.26
(151.31)
Less: Finance Cost
50.54
44.57
Share of Profit / (Loss) of Joint Venture
-
(80.94)
(104.60)
Profit / (Loss) Before Tax Expense
9.72
(195.88)
(71.22)
(300.48)
Less: Tax Expense (Current & Deferred)
(6.10)
(63.64)
Profit / (Loss) for the year (1)
15.82
(132.24)
(65.12)
(236.84)
Total Other Comprehensive Income / (Loss) (2)
(239.09)
346.10
(239.13)
Total (1 2)
(223.27)
213.86
(304.25)
109.26
Balance of Profit / (Loss) for earlier years
2,100.76
2,408.32
1,824.92
2,237.08
Amount available for Appropriation
2,114.12
2,273.70
1,757.30
1,997.86
Less: Transfer to Reserves
Less: Dividend paid on Equity Shares
101.71
172.94
Less: Dividend Distribution Tax
Balance carried forward
2,012.40
1,655.59
Earning per Share
Rs. 2.15
Rs.(18.01)
Rs. (8.87)
Rs.(32.25)
Dividend per Share
Rs. 13.85*
Rs.23.55 *
Book Value per Share
Rs. 626.02
Rs.639.82
Rs. 577.43
Rs.602.25
* Dividend per Share Rs. 13.85 for the FY 2023-24 paid in FY 2024-25.
The highlights of the Company’s performance for the yearended 31st March, 2025 are as under:
0 The Company has achieved Net External Sales of Rs.3,959.50 Crores during the year 2024-25 as againstRs. 3,702.77 Crores in the Previous Year.
0 Total production of all products has increased by3.18% to 21,11,229 MT during the year 2024-25 from20,46,173 MT in previous year.
0 Other Operating income has increased by 9.20% toRs. 113.41 Crores during the year 2024-25 from Rs.103.86 Crores in previous year.
0 Other income has increased by 2.30% to Rs. 92.14Crores during the year 2024-25 from Rs. 90.07 Croresin previous year.
0 EBITDA has increased by 100.16% to Rs. 452.56Crores during the year 2024-25 from Rs. 226.10 Croresin previous year.
0 Profit Before Tax (PBT) has increased by 104.96%to Rs. 9.72 Crores during the year 2024-25 from lossRs.195.88 Crores in previous year.
0 Profit After Tax (PAT) has increased by 111.96% toRs. 15.82 Crores during the year 2024-25 from lossRs.132.24 Crores in previous year.
At Consolidated Level
0 EBITDA has increased by 205.86% to Rs.371.62 Croresduring the year 2024-25 from Rs.121.50 Crores inprevious year.
0 Loss before tax has decreased by 76.30% to Rs.71.22Crores during the year 2024-25 from Rs.300.48 Croresin previous year.
0 Loss after tax has decreased by 72.50% to Rs.65.12Crores during the year 2024-25 from Rs.236.84 Croresin previous year.
The Company has not transferred any sum to the GeneralReserve Account during the Financial Year 2024-25.
Your Directors are glad to recommend a Dividend @ Rs.15.80 per Share (i.e. 158%) to be paid partially out of Profitand /or partially/fully from Free Reserves of the Companyon 7,34,36,928 Equity Shares of Rs.10/- each fully paidup for the year ended 31st March, 2025 (Previous Year -Dividend @ Rs.13.85 per Share i.e. 138.50%). Dividendis subject to approval of members at this Annual GeneralMeeting and shall be subject to deduction of TDS as perIncome Tax Act, 1961.
The dividend recommended is in accordance with theCompany’s “Dividend Distribution Policy”.
There has been no other material changes and commitments,which affect the financial position of the Company whichhave occurred between the end of the Financial Year2024-25 and the date of this Report. There has been nochange in the nature of business of the Company.
The management does not see any risk to Company’sability to continue as a going concern and expects that theCompany will be able to meet its liabilities in the foreseeablefuture as and when the same would become due.
As on 31st March, 2025, the authorized share capital ofthe Company consisted of 250,00,00,000/- (Rupees TwoHundred Fifty Crores Only) divided into 25,00,00,000(Twenty-Five Crore) Equity shares of Rs. 10/- (RupeesTen Only) each, and the paid-up equity share capital as on31st March, 2025, consisted of 7,34,36,928 equity sharesof Rs. 10/- each. During FY 2024-25, the Company hasnot issued any shares, securities / instruments convertibleinto equity shares, sweat equity shares and shares withdifferential voting rights.
Information pertaining to conservation of energy, technologyabsorption, foreign exchange earnings and outgo as requiredunder Section 134(3)(m) of the Companies Act, 2013 readwith Rule 8(3) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014is given in the Annexure - 1 to this report.
The Company and National Aluminium Company Limited(NALCO), a Government of India Enterprise (a NavratnaCompany) have jointly incorporated a Joint Venture Company,viz., GACL-NALCO Alkalies & Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. (GNAL)(CIN U24100GJ2015PTC085247) on 4th December, 2015for setting up 2,66,667 MTPA (100%) Caustic Soda Plantand 130 MW Coal based Power Plant at Dahej, Gujarat.
The Company holds 60% and NALCO holds 40% in GNAL.Accordingly, GNAL is a subsidiary of the Company. Effectivefrom 1 st April 2024, GNAL has become material subsidiarycompany of the Company.
The Managing Director of the Company is the Chairpersonof GNAL. The Managing Director of the Company doesnot draw any commission or any remuneration from GNALor any sitting fees for attending the meetings of the Boardof Directors or Committees thereof.
Dr. Chinmay Ghoroi, Independent Director of the Companyis also a Director in GNAL.
As per Section 129(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 readwith Rule 5 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, aseparate statement containing the salient features of financial
statement of the Joint Venture / Subsidiary Company inForm AOC-1 forms part of the Annual Report.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 136 of theCompanies Act, 2013, the Annual Report of the Company,containing Standalone and Consolidated FinancialStatements of the Company has been placed on theWebsite of the Company at www.gacl.com. Further, theAudited Financial Statements of GNAL for the year ended31st March, 2025 are also placed on the Website of theCompany at www.gacl.com and also at Website of GNALat www.gnal.co.in.
Interested Shareholders may obtain a physical copy of theaudited financial statements of the Subsidiary Companyby sending a request to the Company Secretary at theCompany’s Registered Office.
GNAL has successfully completed the start-up of all itsunits, including both the units of 130 MW Power Plant.The Caustic Soda Plant, Flaking Unit and Power plant areconsistently operating at higher capacity during 2024-25.
During last week of March, 2025 chlorine compressors hadfailed due to which productions at GNAL were affected.GNAL could restart Caustic Soda Plant at partial load withone Chlorine Compressor in the Month of May, 2025. InJuly, 2025, GNAL could resume the operations of secondChlorine Compressor to run the plant at higher capacity.
Vadodara Jal Sanchay Pvt. Ltd.
The Government of Gujarat, vide Gazette Notification dated28.05.2018, notified the “Policy for Reuse of Treated WasteWater” (TWW). As per the said Policy, Reuse of TWWwas mandatory for industries consuming minimum 1 lakhliter per day (100 M3/day) of fresh water for non-potablepurpose and which are situated within 50 km distance fromSTP or city limits.
In compliance of the said Policy, the Board of Directorsof the Company at its Meeting held on 6th February, 2020had approved formation of Special Purpose Vehicle / JointVenture Company comprising of Gujarat State Fertilizers &Chemicals Limited (GSFC), Gujarat Alkalies and ChemicalsLimited (GACL), Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited(GIPCL) and Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) as itsjoint venture partners for establishment of a new secondarytreated waste water plant (STP) of 50 MLD capacity in thestate of Gujarat. Accordingly, a Special Purpose Vehicle/ Joint Venture Company in the name of Vadodara JalSanchay Private Limited (VJSPL) was incorporated on22.07.2020 for establishment of new secondary treatedwaste water plant (STP) of 50 MLD at Vadodara, Gujarat.The Company had subscribed 3,00,000 equity shares ofRs.10/- each (i.e. Rs.30 lakhs) (15%) to the Memorandum ofAssociation (MoA) of VJSPL on 15th July 2020. During theyear 2024-25, the Company has participated in the rightsissue of Vadodara Jal Sanchay Private Limited by way offurther subscribing to equity share capital by contributionof Rs. 3.60 Crores (36 Lakhs equity shares of Rs. 10
each) in the proportion of existing Shareholding (i.e.15%)in Joint Venture Company, Vadodara Jal Sanchay PrivateLimited for funding the Tertiary Treatment of waste water(TTWW) project.
Aditya Birla Renewables SPV 4 Limited.
The Board of Directors of the Company at its Meeting heldon 7th November, 2024 had given in-principle approval forsetting up 62.7 MW Renewable Hybrid Power Project inGujarat for 100% captive power usage by the Company.The Board, in the said meeting, had formed InvestmentCommittee of Directors to approve shareholders’ agreementand Power Consumption Agreement. The InvestmentCommittee of Directors had in its meeting held on 25thNovember, 2024, had granted its approval for execution ofthe said agreements by the Company with M/s. Aditya BirlaRenewables Limited (ABRen). Accordingly, the Company hadexecuted Shareholders’ Agreement and Power ConsumptionAgreement with ABRen on 28th December, 2024.
Meanwhile, a Special Purpose Vehicle viz. Aditya BirlaRenewables SPV 4 Limited was already incorporated on14th December, 2024 by Aditya Birla Renewables Limited(ABRen). Therefore, the Shareholders’ Agreement dated
28.12.2024 was executed amongst the Company, ABRenand Aditya Birla Renewables SPV 4 Limited. The PowerConsumption Agreement was executed between theCompany and Aditya Birla Renewables SPV 4 Limited. Thus,during the year 2024-25, the Company had acquired 2,600equity shares of Rs.10/- each (i.e., Twenty-Six Thousand)(26%) of Aditya Birla Renewables SPV 4 Limited (‘’SPVCompany’’) on 21st February, 2025 from ABRen. TheProject for setting up 62.7 MW Renewable Hybrid Powerin Gujarat is being executed by Aditya Birla RenewablesSPV 4 Limited.
As per the shareholders agreement, Shri S S Bhatt, CompanySecretary and CGM (Legal, CC & CSR) of the Companyhas been appointed as nominee Director of the Companyon the Board of Aditya Birla Renewables SPV 4 Limited(‘’SPV Company’’) w.e.f. 05.04.2025. He is not holdingany share in SPV Aditya Birla Renewables SPV 4 Limited.
Gujarat Industries Power Company Limited (GIPCL)
The Company is one of the Promoters of GIPCL. Duringthe year, 2024-25 on 26.03.2025, the Company hasparticipated in the Preferential Issue of Equity Shares onprivate placement basis of (GIPCL) by equity share capitalcontribution of Rs. 44,99,99,806 /- for setting up 75 MW ACSolar Power Plant by GIPCL under Group Captive mode(50% share of the Company). The said Solar Power projectis now fully operative and the same is currently under thestabilization phase. This will result in a reduction of theoverall Power Cost of the Company.
Arrangements of Renewable Power on short-term/medium term
In addition to the above long-term arrangements, theCompany has made short/medium term arrangements for
sourcing Renewable Power from M/s. NTPC Vidut VyaparNigam Limited (NVVNL), M/s. Tata Power and M/s. KreateEnergy for supply of solar power helping the Companyreduce its power cost.
The Company has in place adequate internal financialcontrols commensurate with the size and nature of itsbusiness. The Company periodically reviews the internalfinancial controls in the light of new statutes, changes inbusiness models, adoption of new technology solutions andsuggestions for improvements received from employees.During the year, such controls were tested and no reportablematerial weakness in the design or operation was observed.For all amendments to Indian Accounting Standards (Ind-AS)and the new standards notified, the Company carries outa detailed analysis and presents the impact on accountingpolicies, financial results including revised disclosures to theAudit Committee. The approach and changes in policiesare also validated with the Statutory Auditors.
The Company has well established process and periodicityfor physical verification of its inventory and fixed assets.All variances are analyzed and accounted post necessaryapprovals.
The Company gets its financial statements reviewed everyquarter by its Statutory Auditors. The accounts of GNALare audited and certified by their Statutory Auditors forconsolidation.
None of the auditors of the Company has reported any fraudas specified under second proviso of section 143(12) of theCompanies Act, 2013 including any statutory modificationsor re-enactments thereof for the time being in force.CREDIT RATINGS
The Company’s financial discipline and prudence arereflected in the strong credit rating described by ratingagency as per the following particulars:
Instrument
Rating
Agency
Date of Rating
Long Term BankFacilities
CARE
Ratings
Limited
(CARE)
AA
(Double
A)
CARE Letter No. CARE/ARO/RL/2025-26/3292 dated 1stAugust, 2025.
Short TermBank Facilities
CAREA1
(A OnePlus)
CommercialPaper Issueaggregating toRs.100 Crore
CARE Letter No. CARE/ARO/RL/2025-26/3290 dated 1stAugust, 2025.
CARE reaffirmed the above credit ratings and the samehas been informed to the Stock Exchanges (BSE & NSE)vide letter dated 1st August, 2025 and also placed on the
Company’s Website at
https://gacl.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Credit-Rating-01.08.2025.pdfRISK MANAGEMENT-CUM-SAFETY
The Company has constituted Risk Management-Cum-Safety Committee of Directors w.e.f. 11th February, 2016.Shri Nitin Shukla had been appointed as the Chairmanof the said Committee w.e.f. 3rd February, 2024. As on31st March, 2025, below are the Members of the RiskManagement Committee:
1. Shri Nitin Shukla, Chairman;
2. Shri Rajiv Lochan Jain;
3. Dr. Chinmay Ghoroi; and
4. Smt. Avantika Singh Aulakh, IAS.
The Company has also constituted Internal RiskManagement Committee comprising of Senior Executivesof the Company who are heading respective departmentsviz. Finance, Manufacturing, Marketing, Purchase, Project,Safety, Information Technology, HR, Secretarial and Legalfunctions. The Managing Director is the Chairman of theInternal Risk Management Committee. The Internal RiskManagement Committee reports to the Managing Directorand the risks identified by the said Committee along withproposed mitigation actions are discussed periodicallyon monthly basis with the Managing Director. Out of thevarious risks identified by the Internal Risk ManagementCommittee, the Audit Committee has identified certain criticalrisks, which are reviewed by the Risk Management-cum-Safety Committee, the Audit Committee and by the Boardof Directors periodically. A Report on the steps taken tomitigate those critical risks is also submitted to the RiskManagement-cum-Safety Committee, Audit Committee andthe Board of Directors.
Pursuant to provisions of Regulations 17 & 21 of SEBI ListingRegulations and Sections 134 & 177 of the Companies Act,2013 (“the Act”) and other applicable provisions, if any,of the SEBI Listing Regulations, the Board of Directorsof the Company have also approved and framed “RiskManagement Policy” of the Company.
The Company has formulated a Vigil Mechanism-cum-WhistleBlower Policy (“Policy”) as per the requirements of Section177 of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 22 of theSEBI Listing Regulations. The Policy is applicable to allDirectors and Employees of the Company.
As per the Policy, a whistle blower can make protecteddisclosures to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Duringthe Financial Year 2024-25, no unethical and/or improperpractice or any other wrongful conduct in the Company byany person was reported under the said Policy.
The Vigil Mechanism-cum-Whistle Blower Policy may beaccessed on the Company’s Website at the weblink:
https://gacl.com/wp-conten1/uploads/2024/04/VIGIL_MECHANISM_CUM_WHISTLE_BLOWER_POLICY-AS-PER-SEBI-LODR.pdf
As per the provision of Section 135 read with Schedule VIIof the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies (CorporateSocial Responsibility Policy) Rules 2014, the Companyhas constituted Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Committee and formulated Corporate Social ResponsibilityPolicy (CSR Policy). The composition of CSR Committeeis given in the Corporate Governance Report.
The CSR Committee has formulated and recommendedto the Board, CSR Policy identifying the activities to becarried out by the Company and the said CSR Policy wasapproved by the Board of Directors at their Meeting heldon 23.07.2014. The Board of Directors at their Meetingheld on 26.05.2015 and 18.05.2021 had approved somemodifications in the CSR Policy including to undertake CSRactivities through GACL Foundation Trust (GFT). GFT isa Society registered under the Societies Registration Act,1860 and under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950 andregistered under Section 12A and 80G of the Income TaxAct, 1961. GACL Foundation Trust (GFT) has also filedForm CSR-1 and got the required registration number fromMCA in pursuance of the applicable provisions of Companies(CSR) Rules, 2014. The Charity Commission, Vadodaraissued order on 22.11.2023 for merger/amalgamation ofGACL Education Society (GES) and GACL FoundationTrust (GFT) and the name of the trust should be GACLFoundation Trust (GFT). GFT has also filed Form CSR-1 and got the required registration number from MCAin pursuance of the applicable provisions of Companies(CSR) Rules, 2014.
The details about various activities carried out by theCompany under CSR through GFT as well as directly bythe Company are given in the Management Discussion andAnalysis which forms part of the Annual Report.
The CSR Policy may be accessed on the Company’sWebsite at the weblink:
https://gacl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/CSR_POLICY-1.pdf
As per the provisions of Section 135 of the CompaniesAct, 2013, the statutory amount (i.e. 2% of the averagenet profits of the last three Financial Years) that wasrequired to be spent by the Company for various CSRactivities during the Financial Year 2024-25 was Rs. 936.98Lakhs. The Company has spent Rs. 160.04 Lakhs towardsvarious CSR activities during the Financial Year 2024-25.The unspent amount of Rs. 776.94 Lakhs towards variousongoing CSR projects was transferred to “GACL UnspentCorporate Social Responsibility Account 2024-25” within 30days from the close of Financial Year 2024-25. The unspentamount transferred to such account will be utilized for theongoing projects in next three Financial Years. The Companyshall transfer unspent amount, if any, lying in this accountat the end of third Financial Year to Fund(s) specified inSchedule VII, within statutory time limit, in accordance with
the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy)Rules, 2014. Thus, the Company has met its obligationunder section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.
The Annual Report on CSR activities for the Financial Year2024-25 is annexed herewith as Annexure-2.
A. Appointment / Reappointment / Cessation ofDirectors, Key Managerial Personnel and SeniorManagement
The Board of Directors at its Meeting held on 8thAugust, 2024 noted resignation of Shri J P Gupta, IAS(DIN: 01952821) as Director of the Company effectivefrom 05.08.2024 and completion of tenure of fiveyears of Shri S B Dangayach (DIN: 01572754) as anIndependent Director of the Company with effect from08.08.2024. The Board places on record its sincereappreciations and pays rich tributes for the valuableservices rendered and contributions made by Shri JP Gupta, IAS as Director and Shri S B Dangayach,as an Independent Director of the Company duringtheir tenure as Directors of the Company.
As recommended by the Nomination-cum-RemunerationCommittee and pursuant to Articles 7 and 11 of theArticles of Association of the Company, the Board ofDirectors appointed Shri Bimal Julka, IAS (Retd.) (DIN:03172733) and Dr. Chinmay Ghoroi (DIN: 10697793)as an Additional and Non-Executive Directors of theCompany for 5 (five) consecutive years, with effect from11th July, 2024. The Company had sought approval ofShareholders at 51st AGM held on 26.09.2024 for: (i)appointment of Shri. Bimal Julka, IAS (Retd.) as anIndependent Director of the Company; (ii) appointmentof Dr. Chinmay Ghoroi as an Independent Director ofthe Company. The said Resolutions were approved byrequisite majority of Members through remote e-voting.Accordingly, all the Resolutions were declared to bepassed on 26.09.2024.
As recommended by the Nomination-cum-RemunerationCommittee, the Board of Directors appointed Dr. T.Natarajan, IAS (DIN: 00396367) as an AdditionalDirector of the Company w.e.f. 11th September, 2024vide letter No. FD/AOD/e-file/4/2022/1869/A(BPE)dated 10.09.2024 received from Finance Department,Government of Gujarat. The Company had soughtapproval of Shareholders at 51st AGM held on
26.09.2024 for appointment of Dr. T. Natarajan, IAS(DIN: 00396367) as Director of the Company. Thesaid Resolution was approved by requisite majorityof Members through remote e-voting. Accordingly, theResolution was declared to be passed on 26.09.2024.
The Board of Directors of the Company at its Meeting
held on 11.02.2025, pursuant to the NotificationAIS/35.2025/11/G dated 1st February, 2025 of GeneralAdministration Department, Government of Gujarat,pursuant to Articles 11 and 14-A of Articles ofAssociation of the Company and as recommendedby Nomination-cum-Remuneration Committee at itsMeeting held on 10.02.2025, had appointed Smt.Avantika Singh Aulakh, IAS (DIN.:07549438) as a Non¬Rotational Government Director and Managing Directorof the Company w.e.f. 03.02.2025 (i.e., the date onwhich she took over the charge). The Company hadsought approval of Shareholders for Appointment ofSmt. Avantika Singh Aulakh, IAS (DIN.:07549438) asa Managing Director of the Company through PostalBallot Notice dated 17.03.2025 by means of electronicvoting (remote e-voting). The said Resolution containedin Postal Ballot Notice dated 17.03.2025 was approvedby requisite majority of Members through remotee-voting. Accordingly, the Resolution was declared tobe passed on 22.04.2025.
The Board of Directors at its Meeting held on 11.02.2025noted cessation of Shri Swaroop P. IAS as ManagingDirector of the Company w.e.f. 03.02.2025 pursuantto the Notification No. AIS/35.2025/11/G dated 1stFebruary, 2025 received from General AdministrationDepartment, Government of Gujarat. The Board placeson record its sincere appreciations for the valuableservices rendered by Shri Swaroop P. IAS to theCompany during his tenure as Managing Director ofthe Company.
The Board of Directors at its Meeting held on
11.02.2025 noted cessation of Dr. Rahul Gupta, IAS(DIN: 08572955), as Director of the Company witheffect from 10.02.2025. The Board places on recordits sincere appreciations and pays rich tributes for thevaluable services rendered and contributions madeby Dr. Rahul Gupta, IAS to the Company during histenure as Director of the Company.
As recommended by the Nomination-cum-RemunerationCommittee and pursuant to Articles 7 and 11 of theArticles of Association of the Company, the Board ofDirectors at its Meeting held on 16.05.2025 appointedShri S J Haider, IAS (DlN: 02879522) as Director onthe Board of Directors of the Company with effectfrom i.e. 16.05.2025 vide letter No. EPCD/MIS/e-file/20/2022/0322/E dated 15.05.2025 received fromEnergy and Petrochemicals Department, Governmentof Gujarat. The Company had sought approval ofShareholders for Appointment of Shri S J Haider, IASas a Director of the Company through Postal BallotNotice dated 31.05.2025 by means of electronic voting(remote e-voting). The said Resolution contained inPostal Ballot Notice dated 31.05.2025 was approvedby requisite majority of Members through remote
e-voting. Accordingly, the Resolution was declared tobe passed on 05.07.2025.
Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, IAS (Retd.) (DIN 00093974),Director will retire by rotation at this Annual GeneralMeeting, and being eligible, has offered himself for re¬appointment. The Board recommends his re-appointmentas Director & Chairman of the Company.
Brief profile of Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, IAS (Retd.) Directorand Chairman is forming part of the Notice of thisAnnual General Meeting.
Pursuant to provisions of Section 203 of the CompaniesAct, 2013, Smt. Avantika Singh Aulakh, IAS ManagingDirector was also appointed as Key ManagerialPersonnel of the Company effective from 03.02.2025.Shri Sanjay S Bhatt, Company Secretary and ShriShailesh Damani, Chief Financial Officer, are the KeyManagerial Personnel of the Company effective from14.05.2014 and 08.08.2024 respectively.
Pursuant to the Regulation of SEBI (Listing Obligationsand Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, asamended time to time, there were following changesin the Senior Management.
During the year, Shri G S Paliwal, has joined theCompany as an Executive Director (Commercial) ofthe Company with effect from 4th April, 2024. ShriV P Gaekwad, General Manager (HR & IR T&D),resigned and therefore he has ceased, as employeeof the Company w.e.f. 30.09.2024. Shri ShaileshDamani was appointed as General Manager (Finance),and CFO vice Shri Ram Gianani. Shri Ram Giananiceased as CFO with effect from 8th August, 2024. ShriRam Gianani continue to serve as Additional GeneralManager (Finance) of the Company. Shri Samir Desaiwas appointed as General Manager (HR & IR T&D),with effect from i.e. 01.01.2025
B. Independent Directors
Attributes, Qualifications & Independence ofDirectors and their AppointmentThe Nomination-cum-Remuneration Committee adoptedthe criteria for determining qualifications, positiveattributes and independence of Directors, includingIndependent Directors, pursuant to the Act and the Rulesmade thereunder and the SEBI Listing Regulations.The brief particulars of the Directors are provided inthe ‘Report on Corporate Governance’ forming part ofthis Annual Report.
The Company has received declarations from theIndependent Directors confirming that (a) they meet thecriteria of Independence as prescribed under Section149 of the Act and Regulation 16 of the SEBI ListingRegulations; (b) they are not aware of any circumstanceor situation, which could impair or impact their abilityto discharge duties with an objective independentjudgement and without any external influence; and(c) they have registered/renewed their names in theIndependent Directors’ Databank, pursuant to theprovisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rules madethereunder. Further, in the opinion of the Board, theIndependent Directors fulfill the conditions prescribedunder the SEBI Listing Regulations and are independentof the management of the Company.
C. Board Evaluation
Pursuant to applicable provisions of the CompaniesAct, 2013 and the SEBI Listing Regulations, the Boardcarried out an annual performance evaluation of theBoard, its Committees, Individual Directors, ManagingDirector and Chairperson. The manner in which theevaluation is carried out has been explained in theCorporate Governance Report.
D. Nomination and Remuneration Policy
The Board has on the recommendation of theNomination-cum-Remuneration Committee, formulateda Nomination & Remuneration-cum-Board DiversityPolicy for selection, appointment of Directors andSenior Management and their remuneration.Information about the Policy is provided in the CorporateGovernance Report and the said Policy may beaccessed on the Company’s Website at the weblink:https://gacl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Nomination-Remuneration-Cum-Board-Diveisity-Policy.pdf
E. Meetings
During the year, Six (06) Board Meetings and Six (06)Audit Committee Meetings were held. The details ofwhich are given in the Corporate Governance Report.The intervening gap between the Meetings held waswithin the period prescribed under the CompaniesAct, 2013 and SEBI Listing Regulations. Further, thecomposition and terms of reference of Audit Committeeand other Committees are given in the CorporateGovernance Report.
During the year under review, all recommendations ofAudit Committee were accepted by the Board.AUDITORS
A. Internal Auditors
As per the recommendation of the Audit Committee,the Board of Directors of the Company at its Meetingheld on 18th June, 2020 appointed M/s. Parikh Mehta& Associates, Chartered Accountants, Vadodara asInternal Auditors for conducting Internal Audit of theCompany for the period from 1 st July, 2020 to 30thJune, 2025.
Further, as per the recommendation of the AuditCommittee, the Board of Directors of the Companyat its Meeting held on 15th May, 2025 appointed M/sTalati & Talati LLP, Vadodara as Internal Auditors forconducting Internal Audit of the Company for one yearcommencing from 01.07.2025 to 30.06.2026.
The Internal Auditors independently evaluate theinternal controls, adherence to and compliance withthe procedures, guidelines and statutory requirements.The Audit Committee of Directors periodically reviewsthe reports of the Internal Auditors and the correctiveactions if any, are taken by the Management.
B. Statutory Auditors
M/s. Prakash Chandra Jain & Co., CharteredAccountants, Vadodara (Firm Registration No. 002438C)were appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Companyfor a period of five years i.e., from the conclusion of51st Annual General Meeting till the conclusion of 56thAnnual General Meeting.
As per Companies Amendment Act, 2017, the provisionof Section 139(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 withrespect to ratification of the appointment of StatutoryAuditors by the members at every Annual GeneralMeeting is omitted.
The Auditor’s Report to the Members for the year underreview does not contain any qualification, reservationor adverse remark or disclaimer.
C. Cost Auditors
The Board of Directors of the Company at its Meetingheld on 30th May, 2024 has approved the appointmentof M/s. Y. S. Thakar & Co., Cost Accountant inpractice, Vadodara (Firm Registration No. 000318)as Cost Auditors for the three financial years i.e. F.Y.2024-25, 2025-26 & 2026-27 as per the provisions ofthe Companies Act, 2013, subject to the approval ofshareholders of the Company, to conduct the audit ofCost Records maintained by the Company at annualremuneration of Rs. 3,19,000/- plus applicable GST.As per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013,your Directors propose the Resolution in the Notice inrespect of remuneration payable to the Cost Auditorsfor the financial years 2025-26 for your ratification andapproval.
The Company maintains necessary cost records asspecified by the Central Government under sub-section(1) of Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 readwith the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules,2014.
D. Secretarial Auditors
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of theCompanies Act, 2013 and the Companies (Appointmentand Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules,2014, the Board of Directors have appointed M/s.Samdani Shah & Kabra, Practicing CompanySecretaries to undertake the Secretarial Audit of theCompany for the Financial Year 2024-25. The Reportof the Secretarial Auditors is annexed herewith asAnnexure - 3. The Report does not contain anyqualification, reservation or adverse remark or disclaimer.The Board of Directors of the Company has on
recommendation of the Audit Committee in its Meetingheld on 15th May, 2025 approved for the appointmentof M/s. Samdani Shah & Kabra, Practicing CompanySecretaries as the Secretarial Auditors of the Companyfor Five years from 01.04.2025 to 31.03.2030 forconducting Secretarial Audit of the Company andissue of Secretarial Compliance Certificate subject toapproval by Shareholders. You are, therefore, requestedto appoint M/s. Samdani Shah & Kabra, PracticingCompany Secretaries, Vadodara as the SecretarialAuditors of the Company to hold office for the saidperiod.
The Company has complied with Regulation 24A of theListing Regulations. GNAL has got Secretarial Auditcarried out by Practicing Company Secretary. Copyof Secretarial Audit Report of GNAL is annexed atAnnexure - 4 and is also available on the website ofthe Company. The Secretarial Audit Report of GNALdoes not contain any qualification, reservation, adverseremark or disclaimer.
As per SEBI Circular No. CIR/CFD/CMD1/27/2019dated 8th February, 2019 read with Regulation 24A ofthe Listing Regulations, Annual Secretarial ComplianceReport for the year ended on 31st March, 2025 givenby M/s. Samdani Shah & Kabra, Practicing CompanySecretaries, Secretarial Auditors was submitted to StockExchanges (BSE & NSE) within prescribed time limit.
Transfer of Dividend and corresponding Equity Sharesto the Investor Education and Protection Fund
During the Financial Year 2024-25, unclaimed dividendfor the Financial Year 2016-17 aggregating Rs.25,03,775/-had been transferred to Investor Education and ProtectionFund (IEPF).
The Company has also transferred Rs. 41,59,180/- (Netof Tax) to the bank account of the IEPF towards dividenddeclared by the Company for the Financial Year 2023-24,for such shares which were transferred to the IEPF earlier.
During the Financial Year 2024-25, the Company has alsotransferred 41,276 Equity Shares to the IEPF in respect ofwhich dividends remained unclaimed for seven consecutiveyears, pursuant to the provisions of Section 124 of theCompanies Act, 2013 read with the Investor Education andProtection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer andRefund) Rules, 2016, as amended.
Shareholders may claim their unclaimed dividend for theyears prior to and including the Financial Year 2016-17 andthe corresponding shares, if any, from the IEPF Authorityby applying in the prescribed Form No. IEPF-5.
This form can be downloaded from the Website of the IEPFAuthority at www.iepf.gov.in. The access link of which isalso available on the Company’s Website at www.gacl.com
under the section ‘Investors’.
Attention of the Members is drawn that the unclaimeddividend for the Financial Year 2017-18 and the correspondingshares will be due for transfer to the IEPF on 28th October,2025 for which purpose communication has been sent toall the concerned Shareholders advising them to claimtheir dividends, failing which the said shares will betransferred to IEPF Authority within 30 days from the saiddue date. Notices in this regard have also been publishedin newspapers. Details of such shares are available on theCompany’s Website under the section ‘Investors’.
Details of Nodal Officer
In accordance with Rule 7(2A) of Investor Education andProtection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer andRefund) Rules, 2016, the details of Nodal Officer of theCompany, for the purpose of coordination with InvestorEducation and Protection Fund Authority are as under:Name: Shri Sanjay S Bhatt
Designation: Company Secretary & CGM
(Legal, CC & CSR)
Postal Address: PO : Ranoli : 391 350,
Dist.: Vadodara (Gujarat)
Telephone No.: 0265-6111453 / 0265-6111000
Mobile No.: 7069053850
E-mail ID: cosec@gacl.co.in
The Company has also displayed the above details of
Nodal Officer at its Website at www.gacl.com.
The Company has been following the principles andpractices of good Corporate Governance and has ensuredcompliance of all the requirements stipulated under theSEBI Listing Regulations.
A detailed report on Corporate Governance for the yearunder review along with Certificate issued by PracticingCompany Secretary in terms of provisions of the SEBIListing Regulations is attached herewith forming part ofthis Annual Report.
As per the provisions of the SEBI Listing Regulations,the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report(BRSR) containing initiatives taken by the Company fromenvironmental, social and governance perspective is annexedherewith as Annexure - 5 as part of this Annual Report.PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES
The information pertaining to remuneration and otherdetails of employees as required pursuant to Section 197of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 5(1) of theCompanies (Appointment and Remuneration of ManagerialPersonnel) Rules, 2014, as amended, are provided in theAnnexure - 6, forming part of this Report. Details of topten employees in terms of employee remuneration drawnand other particulars as required under the provisions
of Section 197 of the Act and Rule 5(2) and 5(3) of theRules form part of this report and are available to anyShareholder for inspection.
Further, there was no employee holding 2% or more ofthe Equity Shares of the Company during the FinancialYear 2024-25.
Having regard to the provisions of the second proviso toSection 136(1) of the Act the Annual Report excludingthe aforesaid information is being sent to the members ofthe Company. Any member interested in obtaining suchinformation may address their email to investor_relations@gacl.co.in.
The Company confirms that it has complied with theprovisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, includingprovision of maternity leave and other related benefits,wherever applicable.
The Audit Committee of Directors at its Meeting held on10th February, 2025 has accorded omnibus approval toexecute transactions with related parties up to the valueof Rs.1 Crore. The Company has also obtained omnibusapproval to execute transactions with related parties ofits subsidiary GACL-NALCO Alkalies & Chemicals PrivateLimited (GNAL). During the Financial Year, the transactionsentered into by the Company with Related Parties were inthe ordinary course of business and at arm’s length price.The Company has proposed resolutions for approval ofmaterial transactions by the Shareholders in accordancewith Section 188 of the Act read with the Companies(Meetings of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014 and SEBI(LODR) Regulations, 2015. The Audit Committee and Boardrecommend the said resolutions for your approval.
The Company has been entering into related partytransactions with GNAL, a subsidiary of the Company. GNALhas also been entering into related party transactions withNALCO, a related party of GNAL. During the eyar 2025¬26, the threshold limit of material related party transactionsbetween GACL & GNAL and GNAL & NALCO may exceed,therefore Company seeks approval of shareholders of theCompany in 52nd AGM of the Company for the year 2024-25.
During the year 2024-25, GNAL has issued CompulsoryConvertible Debentures (CCDs) to the tune of Rs. 500Crores. GACL being a promoter & holding Company hasagreed to provide backstopping support towards repayment ofprincipal and interest of Compulsory Convertible Debentures(CCDs) amounting to Rs. 300 Crores in proportion to theshareholding of the Company in GNAL (60%). The obligationof the Company may arise only after completion of thetenure of the CCD or at the time of occurrence of default
by its subsidiary (upto 60% of the issue amount of Rs.500 Crore plus interest thereon). As of now, neither tenureof the CCD has been completed nor the subsidiary of theCompany has defaulted. Therefore, there is no transactionas such between GACL & GNAL. However, as an abundantcaution, shareholders’ approval has been sought alsoconsidering the said proportionate amount of CCD.
Since, all the contracts / arrangements / transactionswith Related Parties during the year were in the ordinarycourse of business and/or the same were at arm’s lengthas well as under the special omnibus approval route andnot being material transaction as defined under the Act /Rules, disclosure in Form AOC-2 under Section 134(3)(h)of the Act read with Rule 8(2) of the Companies (Accounts)Rules, 2014 is not required.
Policies may be accessed on the Company’s Website atthe weblinks:
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Your Directors draw attention of the Members to Note No.38 to the Financial Statements which sets out RelatedParty disclosures.
Details of Loans, Guarantees and Investments coveredunder the provisions of Section 186 of the Companies Act,2013 are given in the Note No. 5,6,7,17,22 & 43(i)(g) ofthe Notes to the Financial Statements.
The Company has taken adequate insurance for allits properties. The Company has also taken necessaryinsurance cover as required under the Public LiabilityInsurance Act, 1991.
The Company has D & O Liability Insurance Policy whichis reviewed in terms of the quantum and risk coverage asper the Regulation 25(10) of the SEBI Listing Regulations.
The Company’s Equity Shares are listed on BSE Ltd.(BSE) and National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. (NSE)and their listing fees for the Financial Years 2024-25 and2025-26 have been paid and the provisions of the SEBIListing Regulations have been complied with.
The Draft Annual Return of the Company as on March 31,2025 (2024-25) is available on the Company’s Website andcan be accessed at weblink:
https://gacl.com/wp content/uploads/2025/08/Draft-MGT-7_2024-25.pdfThe Annual Return of 2023-24 in prescribed Form No. MGT-7, as required under Section 92(1) of the Companies Act,2013 read with Rule 11 of the Companies (Managementand Administration) Rules, 2014 has been placed on theCompany’s Website at weblink:
https://gacl.com/wp-contenl/uploads/2024/10/Form_MGT_7-2023-24_signed.pdfThe same was filed with the Registrar of Companies, Gujarat(ROC) on Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) portal withinprescribed time limit.
DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION POLICYThe Board of Directors of the Company at its Meetingheld on 26th May, 2017 has adopted “Dividend DistributionPolicy” effective from 26th May, 2017. The Company hasfurther amended its “Dividend Distribution Policy” approvedby the Board of Directors on 22nd May, 2023 which isapplicable with effect from 22nd May, 2023 is available onthe Company’s Website at the weblink:https://gad.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Dividend-Distribution-Policy.pdf
The dividend recommended by the Board for the yearended 31st March, 2025 is in accordance with the saidDividend Distribution Policy.
Your Directors state that no disclosure or reporting isrequired in respect of the following items since therewere no transactions in these matters and/or they are notapplicable to the Company during the year under review:
1. Details relating to deposits covered under Chapter Vof the Act.
2. Issue of equity shares with differential rights as todividend, voting or otherwise.
3. Issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) toemployees of the Company under eSop.
4. Issue of shares, issue of debentures, warrants, bonds,other convertible securities or any non-convertiblesecurities.
5. No significant or material orders were passed by theRegulators / Courts or Tribunals which would impactthe going concern status of the Company and its futureoperations and no application made or proceedingpending under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code,2016 (31 of 2016).
6. No fraud has been reported by the Auditors to theAudit Committee or the Board.
7. T here has been no change in the nature of businessof the Company.
8. There was no instance of one-time settlement withany Bank or Financial Institution.
DISCLOSURES PERTAINING TO THE SEXUALHARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT THE WORKPLACE(PREVENTION, PROHIBITION AND REDRESSAL) ACT,2013
The Company has in place a Policy for prevention of SexualHarassment at the Workplace in line with the requirementsof the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace(Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013.
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) has been set up toredress complaints received regarding sexual harassment.All employees (permanent, contractual, temporary, trainees)are covered under this policy.
Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) consist of
1.
Ms. Shweta Patel
Manager - IR
Chairperson
2.
Shri Ravindrasinh Ahlawat
DGM - Security (Dahej)
Member
3.
Shri Saurav Bhowmik
Chief Manager - HR&A(Dahej)
4.
Ms. Dhwani Bhanvadia
Sr. Officer - Finance
Member -Secretary
5.
Ms. Bansari Purohit
Officer-MM
6.
Ms. Prerana Pandya
Sr. Officer (Sec. &Legal)
7.
Ms. Riddhi Patel
Sr. Officer - HR&A(Dahej)
8.
Ms. Niyanta Patel
Representative fromGACL Foundation Trust
The following is a summary of sexual harassment complaintsreceived and disposed of during the year 2024-25.
(a) Number of complaints pending at the beginning of theyear: Nil
(b) Number of complaints received during the year: Nil
(c) Number of complaints disposed off during the year :Nil
(d) Number of cases pending at the end of the year : Nil
During the year under review, the Company has compliedwith the applicable Secretarial Standards issued by theInstitute of Company Secretaries of India and approved bythe Central Government under Section 118(10) of the Act.
Your Directors state that:
a) in the preparation of the Annual Accounts for theFinancial Year ended 31st March, 2025, the applicableaccounting standards have been followed;
b) the Directors had selected such accounting policiesand applied them consistently and made judgmentsand estimates that are reasonable and prudent so asto give a true and fair view of the state of affairs ofthe Company as at 31 st March, 2025 and of the profitof the Company for the year ended on that date;
c) the Directors had taken proper and sufficient carefor the maintenance of adequate accounting recordsin accordance with the provisions of the Act forsafeguarding the assets of the Company and forpreventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
d) the Directors have prepared the annual accounts ona going concern basis;
e) the Directors have laid down internal financial controls
to be followed by the Company and that such internalfinancial controls are adequate and are operatingeffectively; and
f) the Directors have devised proper systems to ensurecompliance with the provisions of all applicable lawsand that such systems are adequate and operatingeffectively.
MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
A report on Management Discussion and Analysis formspart of the Board’s Report and it deals inter-alia with theBusiness, Operations & Financial Performance, Research &Development, Expansion & Diversification, Risk Management,Outlook, Safety & Environment, Corporate SocialResponsibility, Material Development in Human Resourcesetc. as stipulated under the SEBI Listing Regulations.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Board expresses its gratitude and appreciation to theGovernment of India, Government of Gujarat, FinancialInstitutions, Insurance Companies, Banks, other business
associates, Promoters, Shareholders and employees of theCompany for their continued support. The Directors alsogratefully acknowledge all stakeholders of the Companyviz.: customers, members, dealers, vendors, banks andother business partners for the excellent support receivedfrom them during the year.
The Directors place on record their sincere appreciation to allemployees of the Company for their unstinted commitmentsand continued contribution to the Company.
For and on behalf of the Board
Sd/-
DR. HASMUKH ADHIA, IAS (Retd.)
CHAIRMAN
Place : GandhinagarDate : 8th August, 2025