The Board of Directors of J. A. Finance Ltd. ("the Company") is pleased to present the 32nd AnnualReport and the Audited Financial Statements of the Company for the financial year ended 31st March2025.
J. A. Finance Ltd. is a Non-Banking Financial Company ('NBFC') holding certificate under section 45 IAfrom the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 ('RBI').
The Company is engaged in the business of investment in securities of listed and unlisted entities andproviding of loan and advances to SMEs.
During the financial year, the gross revenue is Rs. 227.65 Lakh as compared to Rs. 306.06 Lakh for thecorresponding period of previous year. The profit before tax is Rs. 110.72 Lakh as compared to profit ofRs. 128.49 Lakh for the previous year. Total comprehensive income of the Company recorded Rs. 14.91Lakh as against Rs. 100.15 Lakh in the previous year.
Statutory Disclaimer: Please note that RBI does not accept any responsibility or guarantee ofthe present position as to the financial soundness of the Company or the correctness of any of thestatements or representations made or opinions expressed by the Company and for repayment ofdeposits/discharge of liabilities by the Company.
The highlights of the Company's financial performance is summarized below:
Particulars
2024-25
2023-24
Revenue from operations
227.11
305.64
Other Income
0.54
0.42
Total Revenue
227.65
306.06
Total expenses
117.37
177.57
Profit before exceptional item
110.28
128.49
Exceptional item
--
0.44
Profit before tax
110.72
Less:
Current Tax
25.19
28.48
Deferred Tax
-
Adjustment of taxes of earlier years
89.67
(1.20)
Profit/Loss after taxation
(4.14)
101.21
Other comprehensive income
a.
Net gain/loss on equity instrument through OCI
b. Income tax relating to items that will not be reclassifiedto Profit & Loss Account
15.22
3.83
(1.42)
0.36
19.05
(1.06)
Total Comprehensive income
14.91
100.15
As required under Section 45IC of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, 20% of the profits are requiredto be transferred to a Special Reserve Account. As the Company has suffered loss during the year,there is no transfer to the said Reserve.
Your directors do not recommend dividend for the financial year under review.
As on 31st March 2025, the Company's paid-up Equity Share Capital was Rs. 10,64,87,330 divided into1,06,48,733 Equity Shares of Rs. 10/- each.
The Company, being an NBFC Company, is exempt from the provisions as applicable to loans,guarantees and investments under Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 ('the Act'). However, thedetails have been provided to the Notes to the Financial Statements.
The Company does not have any subsidiaries, joint venture and associate companies.
The Board meets at regular intervals to discuss and decide on the Company's performance andstrategies.
Further details on the Board, its Meetings, composition and attendance are provided in the CorporateGovernance Report, which forms part of this Annual Report.
The company has the following Committees, details of which are mentioned in the CorporateGovernance Report.
1. Audit Committee
2. Nomination & Remuneration Committee
3. Stakeholders' Relationship Committee
The Annual Return in Form MGT-7 of the Company for the financial year 2024-25 is available on theCompany's website at www.jafinance.co.in
The Company, being an NBFC, has not accepted any deposits from the public during the financial yearunder review in accordance with Section 73 of the Act read with the Companies (Acceptance ofDeposits) Rules, 2014.
Your Company have effective risk management framework. The Management Discussion and AnalysisReport sets out the risks identified, and the mitigation plans thereof.
The Company continues to comply with all the applicable regulations prescribed by the RBI, from timeto time.
In terms of Section 134 (5) of the Companies Act, 2013 the directors would like to state that:
(i) In the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting standards have been followed.
(ii) The directors have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and madejudgments and estimates that were reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of thestate of affairs of the Company at the end of the financial year and of the profit or loss of the Companyfor the year under review.
(iii) The directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accountingrecords in accordance with the provisions of this Act for safeguarding the assets of the Company andfor preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities.
(iv) The directors have prepared the annual account on a going concern basis.
(v) The directors had laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the company and that suchinternal financial controls are adequate and were operating effectively.
(vi) The directors had devised proper system to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicablelaws and that such system was adequate and operating effectively.
The Board has carried out an evaluation of its own performance, the directors individually as well asthe evaluation of the working of its Audit, Nomination & Remuneration Committees. The Directorsexpressed their satisfaction with the evaluation process.
Disclosures with respect to the remuneration of Directors and employees as required under Section197(12) of the Act read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of ManagerialPersonnel) Rules, 2014 is annexed to this Annual Report as "Annexure-A".
The Board has on the recommendation of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee, framed apolicy for selection and appointment of Directors, Senior Management and their remuneration.
As on 31st March 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company ("the Board") comprised 4 (Four)Directors including 1 (One) woman Director.
Pursuant to Section 152 of the Act read with the Articles of Association of the Company Mr. DilipKumar Goyal (DIN: 00033590), Non-Executive Non-Independent Director retires from the Board byrotation at the ensuing 32nd AGM of the Company. Being eligible, he has offered himself for re¬appointment.
All independent directors have given declarations that they meet the criteria of independence as laiddown under section 149(7) of the Act and under regulation 25(8) of the SEBI (Listing obligations anddisclosure requirements) Regulations, 2015 ('Listing Regulation').
All Independent Directors of the Company have registered their name in the data bank maintainedwith the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs in terms of the provisions of the Companies(Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014.
During the year under review the following changes have taken place in the Board:
1. Mr. Murarai Lal Khandelwal (DIN: 00434495), Independent Director of the Company hascompleted his tenure held the office for a period of 10 years (two consecutive terms of 5years each) and has ceased to be an independent director due to completion of his tenurewith effect from 29-07-2024, therefore ceased from Director w.e.f. 29-07-2024.
2. Mr. Ankit Goyal (DIN: 00963125), Director of the Company has resigned w. e. f. -10.08.2024 due to his other commitments.
3. Mr. Altab Uddin Kazi (DIN:10435916) Additional Independent Director resigned w.e.f. 24¬02-2025 due to his other commitments.
4. Ms. Medhavi Lohia (DIN: 06489775), Independent Director of the Company has completedher tenure held the office for a period of 10 years (two consecutive terms of 5 years each)and has ceased to be an independent director due to completion of her tenure with effectfrom 29-04-2025., therefore ceased from Director w.e.f. 29.04.2025.
5. Ms. Deepa Kumari Saha (DIN: 11106312), Additional Independent Director has beenappointed w. e. f 30-04-2025.
The following personnel have been designated as the Key Managerial Personnel of the Companypursuant to Sections 2(51) and 203 of the Act read with the Companies (Appointment andRemuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014.
Mr. Akshay Goyal, Managing Director
Ms. Megha Goyal, Chief Financial Officer, appointed w.e.f.29-05-2024
Mr. Mahesh Kumar Agiwal has retired, therefore ceased from CFO w.e.f. 28-05-2024.
Ms. Simi Sen, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer appointed w. e. f 26-11-2024Mr. Raju Patro, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer resigned w. e. f 23-10-2024
Number of Meetings of the Board Eight (8) meetings of the Board were held during year under review.Details of the meetings and attendance there at forms part of the Corporate Governance Report.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 139 of the Act, the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014,Listing Regulation and RBI Guidelines for appointment of Statutory Auditors, M/s. S K Naredi & Co LLP,(formerly known as M/s. S K Naredi & Co.) Chartered Accountants (FRN: 003333C/C400397), wereappointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company for a period of Five (5) years commencing fromthe conclusion of 29th AGM held on during the year 2022 till the conclusion of the 34th AGM to be heldin year 2027 at such remuneration as may be determined and recommended by the Audit Committeeand approved by the Board of Directors of the Company.
M/s. S K Naredi & Co LLP, (formerly known as M/s. S K Naredi & Co.) Chartered Accountants (FRN:003333C/C400397) have confirmed that they are not disqualified from continuing to act as StatutoryAuditors of the Company.
The observation(s) made in the Auditor's Report are self- explanatory and therefore, do not call for anyfurther comments under Section 134(3)(f) of the Act.
The Auditor's Report does not contain any qualifications, reservations, adverse remarks or disclaimer.
It is hereby taken on record that the firm (M/s. S K Naredi & Co.) has been converted into a LimitedLiability Partnership (LLP) (M/s. S K Naredi & Co LLP) pursuant to the provisions of the Limited LiabilityPartnership Act, 2008, with effect from 20th June 2025.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 204(1) of the Act read with Rule 9 of the Companies(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, the Company had appointedShikha Naredi, Practising Company Secretary, to conduct the Secretarial Audit for the financial yearunder review. The Secretarial Audit Report in Form MR-3 for the financial year under review, isattached as Annexure-B to the Board's Report. The Secretarial Audit Report does not contain anyqualification, reservation or adverse remark.
The provisions of Cost Records and Cost Audit as prescribed under Section 148 of the Act are notapplicable to the Company.
None of the Auditors of your Company, i.e. the Statutory Auditors and Secretarial Auditors hasreported any incident of fraud to the Audit Committee or the Board of Directors under Section 143(12)of the Act during the financial year under review.
During the year under review, the Company has complied with the applicable provisions of theSecretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
The Company have internal control systems in place which are commensurate with the nature of theirbusiness size, scale and complexity of their operations.
The Company has appointed M/s. Harnathka & Associates (FRN:021185C), Chartered Accountants, asInternal Auditor to test the Internal Controls and to provide assurance to the Board that businessoperations of the organization are in accordance with the approved policies and procedures of theCompany. The Internal Auditor presents the Internal Audit Report highlighting internal audit findingsand status of Management Action Plan on the Internal Audit observations.
In compliance with the provisions of Section 177(9) of the Act read with Rule 7 of the Companies(Meetings of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014 and Regulation 22 of the SEBI Listing Regulations, theCompany has formulated a Whistle blower policy/Vigil mechanism for Directors and Employees toreport concerns, details of which are covered in the Corporate Governance Report, which forms part ofthis Annual Report. The said policy is available on the Company's website at www.jafinance.co.in.
The Company has adopted a policy and framework on Related Party Transactions ("RPTs") for thepurpose of identification, monitoring and approving such transactions in line with the requirements ofthe Act and the SEBI Listing Regulations. During the year under review, the RPT Policy had beenamended to inter alia; include the amendments of the SEBI Listing Regulations.
All the RPTs that were entered into during FY 2024-25, were in ordinary course of business and on anarm's length basis.
There were no material transactions requiring disclosure under Section 134(3)(h) of the Act. Hence,the prescribed Form AOC-2 does not form a part of this Annual Report.
The details of RPTs as required to be disclosed by Indian Accounting Standard - 24 on "Related PartyDisclosures" specified under Section 133 of the Act, read with the Companies (Indian Accounting RulesStandards) Rules, 2015, are given in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
The Corporate Governance and Management Discussion & Analysis Report, which form an integral partof this Report, are set out as separate Annexure, together with the compliance Certificate with therequirements of Corporate Governance as stipulated under various regulations of Listing Regulations.
During the financial year under review, the Company was not required to make any expendituretowards CSR projects, in absence of average net profit for three immediately preceding financial yearscalculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 198 of the Act. Accordingly, no CSR activity wasundertaken by the Company. Considering that the Company was not required to contribute anyamount towards CSR activities, report on activities as required under Companies (Corporate SocialResponsibility Policy) Rules, 2014 has not been furnished.
As the Company is a NBFC, the particulars regarding conservation of energy and technology absorptionas required to be disclosed pursuant to provision of Section 134(3)(m) of the Act read with Rule 8(3) ofthe Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 are not relevant to its activities. However, adequate measuresare always taken to ensure optimum utilisation and maximum possible saving of energy.
Pursuant to SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulation 2015, as amended, the Company has aBoard approved Code of Conduct to regulate, monitor and report trading by Insiders and a Code ofPractices and Procedures for Fair Disclosure of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information.
There was no transfer of unpaid or unclaimed amount to Investor Education and Protection Fund(IEPF). However, dividend declared for the financial years 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 are Rs.33,590.50, Rs. 34,067.90 and Rs. 80,361.20 respectively, remained unclaimed as on March 31, 2025.Pursuant to provisions of Section 124(5) of the Act, dividend lying unclaimed in the Unpaid DividendAccount for a period of 7 (Seven) years is required to be transferred by the Company to the InvestorEducation & Protection Fund ("IEPF").
Further, pursuant to provisions of Section 124(6) of the Act, all shares in respect of which dividend hasnot been paid or claimed for seven consecutive years or more shall be transferred by the company toIEPF.
To claim unpaid / unclaimed dividend or in case you need any information / clarification, please writeto or contact to the Company's Registrar and Share Transfer Agent at nichetechpl@nichetechpl.com orthe Company Secretary of the Company at jaflkolkata@gmail.com.
There were no foreign exchange earnings during the financial year under review as well as during theprevious financial year.
In terms of applicable provisions of the Act and SEBI Listing Regulations, the Company discloses thatduring the financial year under review:
i. there has been no change in the nature of business of the Company.
ii. there were no material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of theCompany from the end of the financial year up to the date of this Report.
iii. there was no significant and material order passed by the regulators or courts or tribunalsimpacting the going concern status and company's operation in future.
iv. the Company has no obligatory requirement to set up any committee under the SexualHarassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013
v. there was no issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) to employees of the Company underany scheme.
vi. there was no Scheme for provision of money for the purchase of its own shares by employees orby trustees for the benefit of employees.
vii. there was no public issue, rights issue, bonus issue or preferential issue, etc.
viii. there was no issue of shares with differential rights.
ix. no significant or material orders were passed by the Regulators or Hon'ble Courts or Tribunalswhich impact the going concern status and Company's operations in future.
x. there were no proceedings for Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process initiated under theInsolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
xi. there was no failure to implement any Corporate Action.
xii. there was no instance of one-time settlement with any Bank or Financial Institution.
xiii. BSE has imposed SOP Fines under Regulations 17(1),18(1),19(1),19(2),20(2) (2A) of SEBI (LODR)Regulations,2015. The Company has filed a Waiver Application for penalty amount ofRs.11,94,160/- on 21-02-2025 in BSE Limited. The reply form BSE is still pending.
Acknowledgement
The Company and its Directors wish to extend their sincere gratitude to the Members of the Company,Bankers, State Government, Local Bodies, Customers, Suppliers, Executives, Staff and workers at alllevels for their continuous cooperation and assistance.
For and on behalf of the board of directorsJ.A. Finance Limited
Akshay Goyal Dilip Kumar Goyal
Managing Director Director
Date. 11-08-2025 DIN: 00201393 DIN: 00033590
Place: Kolkata