Your Directors have pleasure in presenting the 19th Annual Report of your Company together with the AuditedStatements of Accounts for the year ended March 31, 2024.
(? in 1 = kh)
Financial Results
Year Ended
31.03.2024
31.03.2023
Revenue for the year
395-84
26.99
Profit/(Loss) before Tax, Depreciation & Finance Cost
(67-45)
71.22
Less: Financial Expenses
0.19
0.23
Profit/(Loss) before Depreciation/Amortization (PBDT)
(67.63)
70.99
Less: Depreciation
0.28
0.48
Net Profit/(Loss) before Taxation (PBT)
(67.91)
70.51
Less: Provision for Taxation (including Deferred Tax)
0.06
0.01
Add: Extra-Ordinary Items (Taxes for earlier years)
-
0.10
Profit/(Loss) after Tax & Extra-ordinary Items
(67.97)
70.40
Less: Provision for Dividend
Less: Transfer to General / Statutory Reserves
Profit/(Loss) available for Appropriation
Add: Profit/(Loss) brought forward from Previous Year
(55.96)
(126.36)
Balance of Profit/(Loss) carried forward
(123.93)
OVERALL PERFORMANCE
Total revenue for the year stood at ? 395.84 lakh in comparison to last years' revenue of ? 26.99 lakh. In term ofProfit/(Loss) before taxation, the Company has earned a profit/(loss) of ? (67.91) lakh in comparison to last years'profit/(loss) of ? 70.51 lakh. Profit/(Loss) after Tax and Extra-Ordinary Items stood at ? (67.97) lakh in comparison to lastfinancial year's profit/(loss) of ? 70.40 lakh.
The Company is in to the business of trading and investments in Equity Shares. The Company is carryingtrading/investment activities in both Equity Segment of both BSE and NSE.
DIVIDEND AND RESERVES
In order to having losses during the year, to conserve resources and to meet financial requirements to implement itsfuture plans, your Directors do not propose any dividend for the year under review.
During the year under review ? Nil was transferred to General Reserves.
SHARE CAPITAL
The paid up Equity Share Capital as on March 31, 2024 was ? 7.427 Crore consisting of 7427000 Equity Shares of ? 10/-each. During the year under review, the Company has not issued any share with differential voting rights; nor grantedstock options nor sweat equity. As on March 31, 2024, none of the Directors and/or Key Managerial Person of theCompany hold instruments convertible in to Equity Shares of the Company.
FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS
As mandated by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the financial statements for the year ended on March 31, 2024 hasbeen prepared in accordance with the Indian Accounting Standards (IND AS) notified under Section 133 of the CompaniesAct, 2013 read with the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014. The estimates and judgements relating to the FinancialStatements are made on a prudent basis, so as to reflect in a true and fair manner, the form and substance of transactionsand reasonably present the Company's state of affairs, profits and cash flows for the year ended March 31, 2024.
Accounting policies have been consistently applied except where a newly issued accounting standard, if initially adoptedor a revision to an existing accounting standard requires a change in the accounting policy hitherto in use. Managementevaluates all recently issued or revised accounting standards on an ongoing basis. The Company discloses standalonefinancial results on a quarterly basis which are subjected to limited review and publishes standalone audited financialresults on an annual basis.
The Company continues to focus on judicious management of its working capital, receivables, inventories and otherworking capital parameters were kept under strict check through continuous monitoring.
There is no audit qualification in the standalone financial statements by the statutory auditors for the year under review.BUSINESS SEGMENT
The Company is in to the business of trading and investments in Equity Shares. The Company is carryingtrading/investment activities in both Equity Segment of both BSE and NSE. The Company is also in the money lendingbusiness.
Details of Loans, Guarantees and Investments, if any, covered under the provisions of Section 186 of the Companies Act,2013 are given in the notes to the Financial Statements.
The Company does not have any Subsidiary, Associates and Joint Venture in the immediately preceding accounting year.Further, during the year, no Company has ceased to be Subsidiary, Associate or Joint Venture Company.
The Company has formulated a "Policy for determining material Subsidiary Companies" of the Company. This policy isavailable on your Company's website at https://www.gcmcommo.co.in/company-policies-procedure.html
All transactions entered into with related parties as defined under the Companies Act, 2013 during the financial year,were in the ordinary course of business and on an arm's length pricing basis and do not attract the provisions of Section188 of the Companies Act, 2013. There were no materially significant transactions with the related parties during thefinancial year, which were in conflict with the interest of the Company. The requisite details under Form AOC-2 inAnnexure III have been provided elsewhere in this Report. Suitable disclosure as required by the Accounting Standard(Ind-AS 24) has been made in the notes to the Financial Statements.
All Related Party Transactions are placed before the Audit Committee for approval. Omnibus approval was obtained on ayearly basis for transactions which are of repetitive nature. Transactions entered into pursuant to omnibus approval areverified by the Risk Assurance Department and a statement giving details of all Related Party Transactions are placedbefore the Audit Committee and the Board for review and approval on a quarterly basis.
None of the Directors has any pecuniary relationships or transactions vis-a-vis the Company
The Company has put in place a mechanism for certifying the Related Party Transactions Statements placed before theAudit Committee and the Board of Directors from an Independent Chartered Accountant Firm.
The Policy on materiality of and dealing with Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board is uploaded on thewebsite of the Company and is accessible at the website of the Company. None of the Directors has any pecuniaryrelationship or transactions vis-a-vis the Company except remuneration and sitting fees.
In accordance with the provisions of the SEBI Listing Regulations, the Company has in place the Policy on dealing withRelated Party Transactions which is available on its website at the link: https://www.gcmcommo.co.in/company-policies-procedure.html
The Management Discussion and Analysis on the operations of the Company as prescribed under Part B of Schedule Vread with regulation 34(3) of the Listing Regulations, 2015 is provided in a separate section and forms part of theDirectors' Report.
There have been no material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company between the endof the financial year and date of this report. There has been no change in the nature of business of the Company.
There are no changes in the nature of business in the financial year 2023-24.
The Board of Directors has carried out an annual evaluation of its own performance, board committees and individualdirectors pursuant to the provisions of the Act and SEBI Listing Regulations.
The performance of the Board was evaluated by the Board after seeking inputs from all the directors on the basis ofcriteria such as the board composition and structure, effectiveness of board processes, information and functioning, etc.
The performance of the committees was evaluated by the board after seeking inputs from the committee members onthe basis of criteria such as the composition of committees, effectiveness of committee meetings, etc.
The above criteria are broadly based on the Guidance Note on Board Evaluation issued by the Securities and ExchangeBoard of India on January 5, 2017.
In Compliance with Section 149 (7) read with Schedule IV of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulations 25(3) of the SEBILODR Regulations, 2015, a separate Board Meeting of Independent Directors of the Company was held on March 7, 2024wherein, the following items in agenda were discussed:
• reviewed the performance of Non-Independent Directors and the Board as a whole.
• reviewed the performance of the Chairperson of the company, taking into account the views of ExecutiveDirectors and Non-Executive Directors;
• Assessed the quality, quantity and timeliness of flow of information between the Company Management and theBoard that is necessary for the Board to effectively and reasonably perform their duties.
• The Board evaluates its composition to ensure that the Board has the appropriate mix of skills, experience,independence and knowledge to ensure their continued effectiveness. In the table below, the specific areas offocus or expertise of individual Board members have been highlighted.
Matrix setting out the skiNs/expertise/competence of the board of directors
No.
Essential Core skiNs/expertise/competenciesrequired for the Company
Core skills/expertise/competencies of all the Directors onthe Board of the Company
1
Strategic and Business Leadership
The Directors and especially the Managing Director havemany years of experience.
2
Financial expertise
The Board has eminent business leaders with deepknowledge of finance and business.
3
Governance, Compliance and Regulatory
The presence of Directors with qualifications and expertisein Law and Regulatory affairs lends strength to the Board.
4
Knowledge and expertise of Trade andTechnology
The Directors have profound knowledge of economicAffairs, trade and technology related matters.
The details of the Board Meetings and other Committee Meetings held during the financial year 2023-24 are given in theseparate section of Corporate Governance Report.
All Committees of the Board of Directors are constituted in line with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 andapplicable regulations of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
There is no change in Management of the Company during the year under review.
There is no change in the composition of Board of Directors of the Company during the current financial year.
The details of programme for familiarization of Independent Directors with the Company, nature of the businesssegments in which the Company operates and related matters are uploaded on the website of the Company.
Further, none of the Directors of the Company are disqualified under sub-section (2) of Section 164 of the Companies Act,2013.
As per provisions of Section 149 of the 2013 Act, independent directors shall hold office for a term up to five consecutiveyears on the board of a company, but shall be eligible for re-appointment for another term up to five years on passing of aspecial resolution by the company and disclosure of such appointment in Board's Report. Further Section 152 of the Actprovides that the independent directors shall not be liable to retire by rotation in the Annual General Meeting ('AGM') ofthe Company.
As per requirements of Regulation 25 of Listing Regulations, a person shall not serve as an independent director in morethan seven listed entities: provided that any person who is serving as a whole time director in any listed entity shall serveas an independent director in not more than three listed entities. Further, independent directors of the listed entity shallhold at least one meeting in a year, without the presence of non-independent directors and members of the managementand all the independent directors shall strive to be present at such meeting.
In the opinion of the Board, the Independent Directors possess the requisite expertise and experience and are the personsof high integrity and repute. They fulfil the conditions specified in the Companies Act, 2013 and the Rules madethereunder and are independent of the management.
The Independent Directors have confirmed that they have complied with the Company's Code of Business Conduct &Ethics.
There was a change in the composition of Board during the current financial year, details of which has been providedherein below. However changes in the employees from KMP category during the year under review.
Sl.
Name
Designation
Date ofAppointment
Date ofResignation
1.
The Independent Directors of the Company have confirmed compliance of relevant provisions of Rule 6 of the Companies(Appointments and Qualifications of Directors) Rules, 2014. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee had adoptedprinciples for identification of Key Managerial Personnel, Senior Management including the Executive Directors.
Further, all the Independent Directors have submitted their disclosures to the Board that they fulfil all the requirementsas stipulated in Section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 16(1)(b) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations andDisclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, so as to qualify themselves to be appointed as Independent Directors underthe provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the relevant rules. In terms of Regulation 25(8) of Listing Regulations, theyhave confirmed that they are not aware of any circumstance or situation which exists or may be reasonably anticipatedthat could impair or impact their liability to discharge their duties. Based on the declaration received from IndependentDirectors, the Board of Directors have confirmed that they meet the criteria of Independence as mentioned under Section149 of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 16(1)(b) of Listing Regulations and they are independent of themanagement.
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) of the Company has devised a policy for performance evaluation ofthe individual directors, Board and its Committees, which includes criteria for performance evaluation.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Act and the Listing Regulations and based on policy devised by the NRC, the Board hascarried out an annual performance evaluation of its own performance, its committees and individual directors. The Boardperformance was evaluated based on inputs received from all the Directors after considering criteria such as Boardcomposition and structure, effectiveness of Board and information provided to the Board, etc.
The performance of the committees was evaluated by the Board of Directors based on inputs received from all thecommittee members after considering criteria such as composition and structure of committees, effectiveness ofcommittee meetings, etc.
Pursuant to the Listing Regulations, performance evaluation of independent directors was done by the entire board,excluding the independent director being evaluated.
A separate meeting of the Independent Directors was also held for the evaluation of the performance of non-independentDirectors, performance of the Board as a whole and that of the Chairman of the Board.
There are no significant and material orders passed by the Regulators/Courts that would impact the going concern statusof the Company and its future operations.
There have been no material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company between the endof Financial Year and date of the report.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 the Board of Directors confirms that:
1. In the preparation of the annual accounts, for the year ended 31st March 2024, all the applicable accounting standardsprescribed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India have been followed along with proper explanationrelating to material departures, if any;
2. the directors had selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments andestimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company asat March 31, 2024 and of the profit of the Company for the year ended on that date;
3. that the Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records inaccordance with the provisions of this Act for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing anddetecting fraud and other irregularities;
4. that the Directors had prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
5. that the Directors had laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and that such internalfinancial controls are adequate and were operating effectively; and
6. that the Directors had devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws andthat such systems were adequate and operating effectively.
Being a share broking firm, the Company is exposed to credit, liquidity and interest rate risk. On the other hand,investment in Stock Market, both in Quoted and Unquoted Shares, have the risk of change in the price and value, both interm of up and down and thus can affect the profitability of the Company.
Risk management is embedded in your Company's operating framework. Your Company believes that managing riskshelps in maximizing returns. The Company's approach to addressing business risks is comprehensive and includesperiodic review of such risks and a framework for mitigating controls and reporting mechanism of such risks. The riskmanagement framework is reviewed periodically by the Board and the Audit Committee.
However the Company is not required to constitute Risk Management Committee under Listing Regulations, 2015.INTERNAL AUDIT AND INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROL AND ITS ADEQUACY
Based on the framework of internal financial controls and compliance systems established and maintained by theCompany, the work performed by the internal, statutory and secretarial auditors and external consultants, including theaudit of internal financial controls over financial reporting by the statutory auditors and the reviews performed bymanagement and the relevant board committees, including the audit committee, the Board is of the opinion that theCompany's internal financial controls were adequate and effective during FY 2023-24.
The Board of Directors has framed a policy which lays down a framework in relation to remuneration of Directors, KeyManagerial Personnel and Senior Management of the Company. The Policy broadly lays down the guiding principles,philosophy and the basis for payment of remuneration to Executive and Non-executive Directors (by way of sitting feesand commission), Key Managerial Personnel, Senior Management and other employees. The policy also provides thecriteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes and Independence of Director and criteria for appointment ofKey Managerial Personnel / Senior Management and performance evaluation which are considered by the Nominationand Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors while making selection of the candidates. The above policy hasbeen posted on the website of the Company.
In Compliance of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 22 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)Regulations, 2015, the Company has adopted a Whistle Blower Policy / Vigil Mechanism and has established thenecessary vigil mechanism for Directors, Employees and Stakeholders of the Company to report genuine concerns aboutunethical behavior, actual or suspected fraud or violation of the Company's code of conduct or ethics policy. TheCompany has disclosed the policy on the website of the Company i.e. www.gcmcommo.co.in
Innovation and Technology are synonymous with the Company. The investment in technology acts as a catalyst andenables the Company to be innovative.
Messrs Maheshwari & Co., Chartered Accountants, Kolkata (FRN - 105834W) were appointed for the 2nd term of 5years as Statutory Auditors of the Company for a period of five consecutive years at the 18th Annual GeneralMeeting (AGM) of the Members held on 25th September 2023 on a remuneration mutually agreed upon by theBoard of Directors and the Statutory Auditors. Their appointment was subject to ratification by the Members atevery subsequent AGM held after the AGM held on 25th September 2023.
The Report given by M/s. Maheshwari & Co. on the financial statement of the Company for the FY 2023-24 is partof the Annual Report. The Notes on financial statement referred to in the Auditor's Report are self-explanatory anddo not call for any further comments. The Auditor's Report does not contain any qualification, reservation, adverseremark or disclaimer. During the year under review, the Auditors had not reported any matter under Section 143(12) of the Act, therefore no detail is required to be disclosed under Section 134 (3) (ca) of the Act.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013 and The Companies (Appointment andRemuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, the Company has re-appointed Mrs. Kriti Daga, CompanySecretaries in Practice (C. P. No. 14023) to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company. The Report of theSecretarial Audit Report in the prescribed Form MR-3 is annexed in this Annual Report as Annexure II. The samedoes not contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remark.
During the year, your Company has complied with applicable Secretarial Standards i.e. SS-1 and SS-2, relating to"Meetings of the Board of Directors" and "General Meetings", respectively.
Your Company has an effective internal control and risk-mitigation system, which are constantly assessed andstrengthened with new/revised standard operating procedures. The Company's internal control system iscommensurate with its size, scale and complexities of its operations. The internal and operational audit is entrustedto M/s A. K. Das & Co., Chartered Accountant Firm, Kolkata (FRN - 325204E). The main thrust of internal audit is totest and review controls, appraisal of risks and business processes, besides benchmarking controls with bestpractices in the industry.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors actively reviews the adequacy and effectiveness of the internalcontrol systems and suggests improvements to strengthen the same. The Company has a robust ManagementInformation System, which is an integral part of the control mechanism.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, Statutory Auditors and the Key Managerial Personnel areperiodically apprised of the internal audit findings and corrective actions taken. Audit plays a key role in providingassurance to the Board of Directors. Significant audit observations and corrective actions taken by the management
are presented to the Audit Committee of the Board. To maintain its objectivity and independence, the Internal Auditfunction reports to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.
In terms of Section 92(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 12 of the Companies (Management and Administration)Rules, 2014, the Annual Return of the Company is attached as Annexure IV to this report.
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 22 of Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition &Redressal) Act 2013 read with Rules thereunder, this is to certify and declare that there was no case of sexual harassmentduring the year under review. Neither there was a case pending at the opening of Financial Year, nor has the Companyreceived any Complaint during the year.
Since the Company is into the business of trading and investment activities in Shares and Securities; the informationregarding Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption, Adoption and Innovation, as defined under section 134(3)(m)of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8(3) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, is reported to be NIL.
The Disclosure required under Section 197(12) of the Act read with the Rule 5(1) of the Companies (Appointment andRemuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, is annexed as Annexure 'V' and forms an integral part of this Report.A statement comprising the names of top employees in terms of remuneration drawn and every persons employedthroughout the year, who were in receipt of remuneration in terms of Rule 5(2) of the Companies (Appointment andRemuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is annexed as Annexure 'VI' and forms an integral part of this annualreport. The above Annexure is not being sent along with this annual report to the members of the Company in line withthe provisions of Section 136(1) of the Act. Members who are interested in obtaining these particulars may write to theCompany Secretary at the Registered Office of the Company. The aforesaid Annexure is also available for inspection byMembers at the Registered Office of the Company, 21 days before and up to the date of the ensuing Annual GeneralMeeting during the business hours on working days.
None of the employees listed in the said Annexure is a relative of any Director of the Company. None of the employeeshold (by himself or along with his spouse and dependent children) more than two percent of the Equity Shares of theCompany.
As the Company is not among top 500 or 1000 Companies by turnover on Stock Exchanges, the disclosure of Reportunder of Regulation 34(2) of the Listing Regulations is not applicable to the Company for the year under review.
The Company has not earned or used foreign exchange earnings/outgoings during the year under review.
During the year under review, your Company has not accepted any deposit from the public falling within the ambit ofSection 73 of the Companies Act, 2013 and The Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014.
The maintenance of cost records for the services rendered by the Company is not required pursuant to Section 148(1) ofthe Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 3 of Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014.
The Notes on Financial Statement referred in the Auditors' Report are self-explanatory and do not call for any furthercomments. The Auditors' Report does not contain any qualification, reservation, adverse remark or disclaimer for theFinancial Year 2023-24.
During the year under review, the Statutory Auditors and the Secretarial Auditors have not reported any instances offrauds committed in the Company by its officers or employees of Audit Committee under Section 143(12) of theCompanies Act, 2013, details of which needs to be mentioned in this Report.
Our Company is listed on SME Exchange of BSE, and thus the provision of Regulations 17, 14[17A,] 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,24, 15[24A,] 25, 26, 27 and clauses (b) to (i) of sub-regulation (2) of regulation 46 and para C , D and E of Schedule V of theSEBI LODR Regulations, 2015. However the Company is voluntarily complying with the above Regulations. A separatesection on corporate governance practices followed by the Company, together with a certificate from the Company'sAuditors confirming compliance forms an integral part of this Report.
The Board of Directors affirms that the Company has complied with the applicable mandatory Secretarial Standardsissued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
The Registered Office of the Company has been shifted from Kolkata (West Bengal) to Mumbai (Maharashtra) w.e.f. 29thJuly 2024.
During the year, there were no transaction requiring disclosure or reporting in respect of matters relating to: (a) detailsrelating to deposits covered under Chapter V of the Act; (b) issue of equity shares with differential rights as to dividend,voting or otherwise; (c) issue of shares (including sweat equity shares) to employees of the Company under any scheme;(d) raising of funds through preferential allotment or qualified institutions placement; (e) significant or material orderpassed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals which impact the going concern status and Company's operations infuture; (f) pendency of any proceeding under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016; and (g) instance of one-timesettlement with any bank or financial institution.
Statements in this Directors' Report and Management Discussion and Analysis describing the Company's objectives,projections, estimates, expectations or predictions may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning ofapplicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied.
Your Directors place on record their sincere appreciation for the assistance and guidance provided by the Reserve Bank ofIndia, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, government and other regulatoryAuthorities, stock exchanges, other statutory bodies, Company's bankers, Members and employees of the Company forthe assistance, cooperation and encouragement and continued support extended to the Company.
Your Directors also gratefully acknowledge all stakeholders of the Company viz. customers, members, dealers, vendors,banks and other business partners for the excellent support received from them during the year. Our employees areinstrumental in helping the Company scale new heights, year after year. Their commitment and contribution is deeplyacknowledged. Your involvement as shareholders is also greatly valued. Your Directors look forward to your continuingsupport.
Mumbai, September 2, 2024 By order of the Board
For GCM Commodity & Derivatives Limited
Sd/-
Registered Office : Amalesh Sadhu
806, Raheja Center, 214, Free Press Journal DIN: 00235198
Marg, Nariman Point, Mumbai-400021 Chairman & Managing Director