Your Board of Directors is pleased to present 42nd Annual Report of Filtron Engineers Limited(hereinafter referred to as "the Company") covering the business, operations and AuditedFinancial Statements of the Company for the financial year ended March 31, 2024.
The standalone financial performance of your Company for the year ended March 31, 2024 issummarised below:
(Rs. in Thousand'
Particulars
2023-2024
2022-2023
Revenue from Operation
-
Other Income
1,331.68
900.35
Total Revenue
Profit/ (Loss) Before Exceptional Item
(3,478.92)
(6,402.60)
Exceptional Item
Profit/ (Loss) Before Tax
Tax
1,312.06
Profit/ (Loss) After Tax
(5,090.54)
There has not been any change in the nature of business of the Company during the FinancialYear ended on March 31, 2024.
The Company is in lookout for new projects and accordingly the Management has alreadytaken steps for the same.
Further, Company is in process of revocation of suspension in the trading of securities ofCompany on BSE Limited.
As on March 31, 2024, according to the Companies Act, 2013 and rules made there under theCompany does not have any Subsidiary Company, Associate Company and Joint VentureCompany. Considering this, 'Form AOC - 1' is not applicable.
Considering the fact, that the Company stopped its business operations, your Directors havedecided not to recommend any dividend on the equity shares for the year ended March 31,2024.
Your Company does not propose to transfer any amount to the reserves for the financial year2023-24.
During the year under review there is no change in Share capital of the Company.
There have been no material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of theCompany between the end of the financial year and the date of this report. There has been nochange in the nature of business of the Company.
The Company has not accepted or renewed any amount falling within the purview ofprovisions of Section 73 of the Companies Act 2013 ("the Act") read with the Companies(Acceptance of Deposit) Rules, 2014 during the year under review. Hence, the requirement offurnishing details relating to Deposits covered under Chapter V of the Act or the details ofDeposits that are not in compliance with Chapter V of the Act is not applicable.
During the year under review, there has been following changes in the Composition of theBoard of Directors and Key Managerial Personnel of the Company.
1. Mr. Gajanan Hegde was appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Directorsof the Company on November 11, 2022 and his appointment was regularised at the 41stAnnual General Meeting held on December 22, 2023.
2. Mr. Tanaji Kadu was appointed as Additional Non-Executive Independent Directors ofthe Company on November 11, 2022 and his appointment was regularised at the 41stAnnual General Meeting held on December 22, 2023.
3. Ms. Nivedita Sen was appointed as an as Additional Director in the category of Non¬Executive Independent Director of the Company in their Board meeting held on
November 13, 2023 and her appointment was regularised in the 41st Annual GeneralMeeting held on December 22, 2023.
4. Ms. Raina Ajmera, a member of Institute of Company Secretaries of India has beenappointed as Company Secretary and Compliance Officer of the Company w.e.f. April15, 2023. However, she has resigned w.e.f. April 25, 2024
As per the provisions of Section 152 of the Companies Act, 2013, Ms. Deepa Atul Thakkar,Non-Executive Director, whose office is liable to retire at the ensuing 42nd AGM, being eligible,seeks re-appointment. The notice convening the 42nd AGM to be held on September 30, 2024sets out the details.
The Company has received the necessary declaration from each Independent Director underSection 149(7) of the Companies Act, 2013 that they meet the criteria of independence laiddown in Section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 along with a declaration received pursuantto sub-rule 3 of rule 6 of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules,2014. They have also furnished the declaration pursuant to Regulation 25(8) of the SEBI ListingRegulations affirming compliance to the criteria of Independence as provided underRegulation 16(1)(b) of the SEBI Listing Regulations.
Based on the declarations and confirmations of the Independent Directors and afterundertaking due assessment of the veracity of the same, the Board of Directors recorded theiropinion that all the Independent Directors are independent of the Management and havefulfilled all the conditions as specified under the governing provisions of the Companies Act,2013 and the SEBI Listing Regulations.
Further, the Independent Directors have also confirmed that they have complied with theCompany's code of conduct. Also, the separate meeting of the Independent Directors has beenduly convened and held.
The Board of Directors of the Company is of the opinion that all the Independent Directors ofthe Company possess highest standard of integrity, relevant expertise and experiencerequired to best serve the interest of the Company.
In compliance with the requirements of SEBI Listing Regulations, the Company has put inplace a Familiarization Programme for the Independent Directors to familiarize them with theCompany, their roles, rights, responsibilities in the Company, nature of the industry in whichthe Company operates, business model etc. Further, at the time of the appointment of anindependent director, the Company issues a formal letter of appointment outlining his/ herrole, function, duties and responsibilities. Details of the Familiarization Programmeconducted are available on the website of the Companyhttps://www.filtronindia.com/details-of-familiarisation-program.htm
Pursuant to Section 134(2) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Rules issued thereunderand SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) 2015, the Board carried out theannual performance evaluation of the Board of Directors as a whole, Committees of the Boardand individual Directors.
The parameters for performance evaluation of the Board include composition of the Board,process of appointment to the Board of Directors, common understanding of the roles andresponsibilities of the Board members, timelines for circulating board papers, content and thequality of information provided to the Board, attention to the Company's long term strategicissues, evaluating strategic risks, overseeing and guiding acquisitions etc. Some of theperformance indicators for the Committees include understanding the terms of reference,effectiveness of discussions at the Committee meetings, information provided to theCommittee to discharge its duties and performance of the Committee vis-a-vis itsresponsibilities.
Performance of individual Directors was evaluated based on parameters such as attendanceat the meeting(s), contribution to Board deliberations, engagement with colleagues on theBoard, ability to guide the Company in key matters, knowledge and understanding ofrelevant areas and responsibility towards stakeholders. All the Directors were subject to self¬evaluation and peer evaluation.
The performance of the Independent Directors was evaluated taking into account the abovefactors as well as independent decision-making and non-conflict of interest. Further, theevaluation process was based on the affirmation received from the Independent Directors thatthey met the independence criteria as required under the Companies Act, 2013 and ListingRegulations, 2015.
Subsequent to the evaluation done in the financial year 2023-24, some action areas have beenidentified for the Board to engage itself with. These include review of your Company's goals,strategy, capability gaps, competitive landscape, technological developments, SWOTanalysis, etc. and also a thorough review of key issues facing the Company. All these will besuitably dealt with by the Board. Details of the evaluation mechanism are provided in theCorporate Governance Report.
The Board met 6 (Six) Times during the financial year at the Registered Office of theCompany.
The Board Meetings were held on April 15, 2023, May 30, 2023, August 14, 2023, September20, 2023, November 13, 2023 and February 13, 2024. The meeting of the Board had beenconducted at regular interval with a time gap of not more than 120 days between twoconsecutive meetings.
The Board currently has the following Committee:
1. Audit Committee
2. Nomination and Remuneration Committee
3. Stakeholder Relationship Committee
Audit Committee
Nomination andRemuneration Committee
Stakeholder andRelationship Committee
Tanaji Kadu - Chairperson
Nivedita Sen - Member
Nivedita Sen- Member
Gajanan Hegde - Member
Sadanand Ganapati Hegde -Member
Sadanand Hedge - Member
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 178 of the Act and on the recommendation of theNomination & Remuneration Committee, the Board has adopted the Nomination &Remuneration Policy for selection and appointment of Directors, Senior Managementincluding Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) and their remuneration. The details of this policyhave been placed on the website of the Company at https://www.filtronindia.com/policies-under-companies.htm
Management Discussion and Analysis Report for the year under review, giving detailedanalysis of the Company's operations as stipulated under Regulation 34 of SEBI (LODR)Regulations, is presented in a separate section forming part of the Annual Report.
The Company has tried to comply with the applicable Secretarial Standards issued by theInstitute of the Company Secretaries of India but not been complied fully.
All related party transactions are placed before the Audit Committee for its review andapproval. Prior/ Omnibus approval of the Audit Committee is obtained on an annual basisfor a financial year, for the transactions that are of foreseen and repetitive in nature. Thestatement giving details of all related party transactions entered into pursuant to the omnibusapproval together with relevant information are placed before the Audit Committee forreview and updated on a quarterly basis.
All Related Party Transactions entered during the year were in Ordinary Course of theBusiness and at Arm's Length basis. During the year under review, the Company has notentered into any contracts/ arrangements/ transactions with related parties that qualify asmaterial in accordance with the Policy of the Company on materiality of related partytransactions. Hence, the disclosure of Related Party Transactions as required under Section134(3)(h) of the Companies Act, 2013 in 'Form AOC-2' is not applicable.
The details of such related party transactions are available in the Notes to the Standalonefinancial statements section of this Annual Report.
The Company has designed and implemented a process-driven framework for InternalFinancial Control ('FC') within the meaning of the explanation to Section 134(5)(e) of theCompanies Act, 2013.
For the year ended March 31, 2024, the Board is of the opinion that the Company has theInternal Financial Control.
Pursuant to Section 134(3)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013 (including any statutorymodification(s) or re-enactment(s) for the time being in force), the Board of Directors of yourCompany confirms that:
a. in the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting standards havebeen followed along with proper explanation relating to material departures.
b. the Directors had selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently andmade judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a trueand fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at March 31, 2024 and of theprofit and loss of the company for that period.
c. the Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequateaccounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 forsafeguarding the assets of the company and for preventing and detecting fraud andother irregularities.
d. the Directors have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis.
e. the Directors have laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the companyand that such internal financial controls are adequate and are operating effectively.
f. the Directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisionsof all applicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating effectively.
M/s. S.H. Sane & Co, Chartered Accountants (FRN: 114491 W) were appointed as StatutoryAuditors of the Company at the AGM held on February 28, 2023 for a term of 5 (five)consecutive years and hold office upto the conclusion of the AGM to be held for the year 2027.
The Statutory auditor's report for the financial year 2023-24 on the financial statement on theCompany forms a part of this Annual Report. The said report do contains qualifications,reservation or adverse remark which calls for any further comments or explanation. Reply forthe same is mentioned below:
1. Management of the Company already found the viable option to change the status of Company asgoing concern Company and is working towards the same.
2. Further, Management of the Company took note of all the points of the Auditor and working onthe same.
No frauds have been reported by the auditor for the financial year 2024.
Being a publicly listed Company, the Company is required to annex a Secretarial Audit Reportfrom a Company Secretary in Practice with the Board Report for the said purpose, on therecommendation of the Audit Committee, the Company appointed M/s. Pooja Gala &Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries (Formerly known as Ms. Pooja Amit Gala) inaccordance with provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 9 of theCompanies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 to conductthe secretarial audit of the Company for the financial year 2023-2024. The Secretarial AuditReport in Form No. MR -3 for the financial year ended March 31, 2024, is annexed herewithas an 'Annexure-I' to this Board's Report.
There is various observation given by the secretarial Auditor in their report for the financialyear ended March 31,2024for which following is the explanation:
The Company was facing hardship during the previous financial years which has impacted the timelyStatutory and ethical Compliance. However, the management of the Company has deliberatelydiscussed the issues internally and has started to take adequate measure for the compliances in future.
There were no significant and material orders passed by the regulators or courts or tribunalsimpacting the Company's going concern status and/or its future operations.
As per the provisions of Section 177(9) of the Companies Act, 2013 ('Act'), the Company isrequired to establish an effective Vigil Mechanism for directors and employees to reportgenuine concerns.
The Company has a Whistle-blower Policy to encourage and facilitate employees to reportconcerns about unethical behavior, actual/ suspected fraud and violation of the Company'sCode of Conduct or Ethics Policy. The Policy has been suitably modified to meet therequirements of Vigil Mechanism under the Companies Act, 2013. The policy provides foradequate safeguards against victimization of persons who avail the same and provides fordirect access to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee. The policy also establishes adequatemechanisms to enable employees to report instances of leaks of unpublished price-sensitiveinformation. The Audit Committee of the Company oversees the implementation of theWhistle-Blower Policy.
The Company has disclosed information about the establishment of the Whistle Blower Policyon its website https:/ /www.filtronindia.com/policies-and-code-of-conduct.htm
During the year, no person has been declined access to the Audit Committee, whereverdesired.
Pursuant to Section 92(3) read with Section 134(3)(a) of the Companies Act, 2013, copies of theAnnual Returns of the Company prepared in accordance with Section 92(1) of the CompaniesAct, 2013 read with Rule 11 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014are placed on the website of the Company and is accessible at Company's website athttps://www.filtronindia.com/annual-return.htm
Details of Loans, Guarantees and Investments covered under the provisions of Section 186 ofthe Act, are given in the notes to the Financial Statements.
The information on conservation of energy, technology absorption, and foreign exchangeearnings and outgo as stipulated under Sub-section (3)(m) of Section 134 of the CompaniesAct, 2013, read with the rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, are enclosed as'Annexure-II' to this Board's report.
In terms of compliance with provisions of Section 197(12) of the Act read with rule 5(1) of theCompanies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 theparticulars of remuneration to the Directors and employees of the Company and the detailsof the ratio of remuneration of each director to the median employee's remuneration isannexed herewith as “Annexure-III" to this Boards Report.
In terms of Section 197(12) of the Companies Act, 2013, read with Rule 5(2) and 5(3) of theCompanies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, theemployee(s) drawing remuneration in excess of limits set out in said rules forms part of thisBoards Report in Annexure if any.
Your company was not required to constitute Internal Complaints Committee under theSexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013as there are less than 10 employees in the company.
No disclosure is required under section 67 (3) (c) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule16(4) of Companies (Share Capital and Debentures) Rules, 2014, in respect of voting rights notexercised directly by the employees of the Company as the provisions of the said section arenot applicable.
The Auditors of the Company have not reported any instances of fraud committed against theCompany by its officers or employees as specified under Section 143(12) of the CompaniesAct, 2013.
The Risk Management framework enables identification and evaluation of business risks andopportunities, seeks to create transparency, minimize adverse impact on business objectivesand enhance the Company's competitive advantage. The Company has adopted a RiskManagement Policy pursuant to Section 134 of Companies Act, 2013. The Company has robustrisk management framework to safeguard to Organization from various risk throughadequate and timely actions. The elements of risk as identified for the Company are set out inthe Management Discussion and Analysis Report forming the part of this Annual Report.
Your directors would like to express their appreciation for the assistance and co-operationreceived from the financial institutions, banks, Government authorities, customers, vendorsand members during the year under review. Your Directors take on record their deep senseof appreciation to the contributions made by the employees through their hard work,dedication, competence, support and co-operation towards the progress of your Company.
Sd/-
Date: September 09, 2024
C/o: Plot No.36, WMDC Industrial Area,
Ambethan Road, Chakan, Pune - 410501,
Maharashtra, India