Your Directors have pleasure in presenting their 32nd Annual Report together with the Audited Accounts of theCompany for the Year ended March 31,2024.
1. FINANCIAL SUMMARY HIGHLIGHTS:
The Standalone Financial results are summarized below:
Particulars
March 31, 2024
March 31, 2023
Revenue from Operations
11,23,559.67
11,74,380.04
Other Income
410.82
3,089.48
Total Income
11,23,970.49
11,77,469.52
Less: Expenditure
10,98,580.26
1,65,604.25
Profit/Loss before Interest,Depreciation and Tax
25,390.23
10,11,865.27
Less: Interest
-
9,91,100
Less: Depreciation & AmortisationCost
Profit/Loss before tax
20,765.27
Less Tax Expense:
• Current Tax
• Deferred Tax
6,601.46
5,399.00
Net Profit/ Loss after Tax
18,788.77
15,366.27
2. STATE OF COMPANY AFFIARS
During the financial year 2023-24, the Company has earned a total income of Rs. 1123.97 Lakhs againsta total income of Rs. 1177.47 Lakhs in the previous year. The Company has earned a Net Profit of Rs.
18.79 Lakhs against a Profit of Rs. 15.37 Lakhs in the previous year.
3. FUTURE PROSPECTS
The Company will continue focus to lend the money to borrower and to systematic investing activity of theBusiness.
4. WEB ADDRESS OF ANNUAL RETURN
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 134(3)(a) and Section 92(3) of the Act and rules made thereunder, theAnnual Return will be uploaded on the website of the Company for the FY 2023-24.
5. CHANGE IN NATURE OF BUSINESS
There has been no change in the nature of the Business of the Company during the financial year 2023¬24.
6. DIVIDEND
No Dividend was declared during the year.
7. TRANSFER OF UNPAID AND UNCLAIMED DIVIDENDS TO INVESTOR EDUCATION ANDPROTECTION FUND
Your Company did not have any funds lying unpaid or unclaimed for a period of seven years. Therefore therewere no funds which were required to be transferred to Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF).
8. TRANSFER TO RESERVES
The Company has transferred Rs.4,69,720 u/s 45-IC of the RBI Act,1934.
9. SHARE CAPITAL
The paid-up Equity Share Capital of the Company as at 31st March, 2024 stood at Rs. 15,78,24,000.
During the year under review there is no change in share capital of the Company.
10. DEPOSITS
During the year under review, your Company did not accept any deposits within the meaning ofProvisions of Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits)
Rules, 2014.
11. MATERIAL CHANGES AND COMMITMENTS BETWEEN THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR OFTHE COMPANY TO WHICH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS RELATE AND THE DATE OF THEREPORT
There are no material changes and commitments, affecting the financial position of your company whichhas occurred between the end of financial year of the company i.e. March 31, 2024 and the date ofDirector's Report.
12. SUBSIDARIES, ASSOCIATED AND JOINT VENTURE COMPANIES
The Company does not have any subsidiary, Joint Venture or associate company.
13. DIRECTORS AND KEY MANANGERIAL PERSONNEL
(a) The Company has approved the Change in designation of Mr. Mahesh Kumar Dalmia (DIN No:09497773) from Executive Director to Wholetime Director in the Board Meeting held on 04.09.2023subject to approval of members in the AGM. The Company has further approved the Appointment of Mr.
Mahesh Kumar Dalmia in the AGM held on 28.09.2023. Further, his appointment as Wholetime Directorwas changed to Managing Director in the Board Meeting held on 10.11.2023.
(b) The Shareholders has approved the Regularization of Mrs. Sunitha Gupta for the second term of 5years as Independent Director of the Company by way of passing of Special Resolution in the AGM heldon 28.09.2023.
14. DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Based on the framework of internal financial controls and compliance systems established and maintained bythe Company, work performed by the internal, statutory, and secretarial auditors and the reviews performed byManagement and the relevant Board Committees, including the Audit Committee, the Board is of the opinion thatthe Company’s internal financial controls were adequate and effective during the financial year 2023-24.Accordingly, pursuant to Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board of Directors, to the best of theirknowledge and ability, confirm that:
(a) In the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting standards had beenfollowed along with proper explanation relating to material departures;
(b) The Directors had selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and madejudgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairsof the company at the end of the financial year and of the profit of the company for that period;
(c) The Directors had 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 and forpreventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
(d) The Directors had prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis; and
(e) 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.
(f) The Directors had devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of allapplicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating effectively.
The Board has three committees which have been constituted as a part of the good corporategovernance practices and the same are in compliance with the requirements of the relevant provisions ofapplicable laws and statutes. The following are the details of the Board Committees during the FinancialYear 2023-24:
a. Audit Committee
b. Nomination & Remuneration Committee
c. Stakeholders Relationship Committee
(a) Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, as per Section 177 of Companies Act, 2013, continued working under Chairmanship of Ms.Sunitha Gupta. During the year the committee met three times with full attendance of all the members. Thecomposition of the Audit Committee as at March 31, 2024 and details of the Members participation at theMeetings of the Committee are as under:
Name ofDirector
Category
Position in theCommittee
Attendance at the Audit Committee Meetings heldon
30.05.2023
04.09.2023
10.11.2023
Ms. SunithaGupta
Independent
Director
Chairperson
Yes
Mr. JagannathJha
Executive
Member
Mr. BarunNaskar
The Committee is governed by a Charter which is in line with the regulatory requirements mandated by theCompanies Act, 2013. Some of the important functions performed by the Committee are:
• Oversight of the Company’s financial reporting process and financial information submitted to the StockExchanges, regulatory authorities or the public.
• Reviewing with the Management, the Half Yearly Unaudited Financial Statements and the Auditor’sLimited
Review Report thereon / Audited Annual Financial Statements and Auditors’ Report thereon beforesubmission to the Board for approval. This would, inter alia, include reviewing changes in the accountingpolicies and reasons for the same, major accounting estimates based on exercise of judgement by theManagement, significant adjustments made in the Financial Statements and / or recommendation, if any,made by the Statutory Auditors in this regard.
• Review the Management Discussion & Analysis of financial and operational performance.
• Discuss with the Statutory Auditors its judgement about the quality and appropriateness of theCompany’s
accounting principles with reference to the Accounting Standard Policy.
• Review the investments made by the Company.
All the Members on the Audit Committee have the requisite qualification for appointment on the Committee andpossess sound knowledge of finance, accounting practices and internal controls.
The Auditors, Chief Financial Officer are invited to attend the meetings of the Committee. The CompanySecretary acts as the Secretary to the Committee. Ms. Sunitha Gupta, the Chairman of the Committee, waspresent at the last Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on September 28, 2023.
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as per Section 178(1) of Companies Act, 2013, continuedworking under Chairmanship of Mr. Jagdev Yadav. During the year, the committee met three time with fullattendance of all the members. The composition of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee as at March 31,2024 and details of the Members participation at the Meetings of the Committee are as under:
Name of Director
Attendance at the RemunerationCommittee held on
Mr. Jagdev Yadav
Independent Director
Chairman
Mr. Barun Naskar
Ms. Sunitha Gupta
The terms of reference of the Committee as per Companies Act 2013 and SEBI (LODR) 2015, include thefollowing:
• Formulation of the criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes and independence of adirector and recommend to the board of directors a policy relating to, the remuneration of the directors,key managerial personnel and other employees;
• For every appointment of an independent director, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee shallevaluate the balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the Board and on the basis of suchevaluation, prepare a description of the role and capabilities required of an independent director. Theperson recommended to the Board for appointment as an independent director shall have the capabilitiesidentified in such description. For the purpose of identifying suitable candidates, the Committee may:
a) Use the services of an external agencies, if required;
b) Consider candidates from a wide range of backgrounds, having due regard to diversity; and
c) Consider the time commitments of the candidates.
• Formulation of criteria for evaluation of performance of independent directors and the board of directors;
• Devising a policy on diversity of board of directors;
• Identifying persons who are qualified to become directors and who may be appointed in seniormanagement in accordance with the criteria laid down, and recommend to the board of directors theirappointment and removal.
• Whether to extend or continue the term of appointment of the independent director, on the basis of thereport of performance evaluation of independent directors.
• Recommend to the board, all remuneration, in whatever form, payable to senior management.
The Stakeholders Relationship Committee, as per Section 178 (5) of Companies Act, 2013, continued workingunder Chairmanship of Ms. Sunitha Gupta. The Committee is governed by a Charter, which is in line with theregulatory requirements mandated by the Companies Act, 2013. During the year, the committee met one timewith full attendance of all the members. The composition of the Stakeholders Relationship Committee as at March31,2024 and details of the Members participation at the Meetings of the Committee are as under:
Attendance at the StakeholderRelationship
Committee held on 30.05.2023
Mr. Jagannath Jha
Executive Director
The terms of reference of the Committee are:
• Resolving the grievances of the security holders of the listed entity including complaints related totransfer/transmission of shares, non-receipt of annual report, non-receipt of declared dividends, issue ofnew/duplicate certificates, general meetings etc.
• Review of measures taken for effective exercise of voting rights by shareholders.
• Review of adherence to the service standards adopted by the listed entity in respect of various servicesbeing rendered by the Registrar & Share Transfer Agent.
• Review of the various measures and initiatives taken by the listed entity for reducing the quantum ofunclaimed dividends and ensuring timely receipt of dividend warrants/annual reports/statutory notices bythe shareholders of the company.
During the year, no complaints were received from shareholders. There are no balance complaints. TheCompany had no share transfers pending as on March 31,2024.
Ms. Rashmi Bhagat, Company Secretary of the Company is the Compliance Officer.
16. (a) MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During the year under review the Board has met 5 (Five) times viz. 30th May 2023, 4th September2023,10th November 2023, 31st January 2024 and 30th March, 2024.
(b) Separate Meeting of Independent Director
During the year under review, a separate meeting of Independent Directors was held on 18th March, 2024without attendance of non-independent directors and members of management. In the meeting thefollowing issues were taken up:
(a) Review of the performance of non-independent directors and the Board as a whole;
(b) Review of the performance of the Chairperson of the company, taking into account the views ofexecutive directors and non-executive directors;
(c) Assessing the quality, quantity and timeliness of flow of information between the companymanagement and the Board that is necessary for the Board to effectively and reasonably perform theirduties.
17. DISCLOSURES BY DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors have submitted notice of interest in Form MBP 1 under Section 184(1) as well asintimation by directors in Form DIR 8 under Section 164(2) and declarations as to compliance with the Code ofConduct of the Company.
18. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF THE BOARD AND INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors carried out an annual evaluation of the Board itself, its Committees and individualDirectors. The entire Board carried out performance evaluation of each Independent Director excluding theIndependent Director being evaluated. The Nomination Remuneration Committee also carried out evaluation ofevery director’s performance.
The evaluation was done after taking into consideration inputs received from the Directors, setting out parametersof evaluation. Evaluation parameters of the Board and Committees were mainly based on Disclosure ofInformation, Key functions of the Board and Committees, Responsibilities of the Board and Committees, etc.Evaluation parameters of Individual Directors including the Chairman of the Board and Independent Directorswere based on Knowledge to Perform the Role, Time and Level of Participation, Performance of Duties and Levelof Oversight and Professional Conduct etc.
Independent Directors in their separate meeting evaluated the performance of Non-Independent Directors,Chairman of the Board and the Board as a whole.
19. PARTICULARS OF LOAN, GUARANTEES AND INVESTMENTS
The company has not given any guarantee during the during year 2023-24. The Company has given loan andmade investments in the Equity Shares of the other Companies. The details of the ban & investments made bycompany during the year under review are given in the financial statements.
20. DETAILS OF ESTABLISHMENT OF VIGIL MECHANISM
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 177(9) of the Act, read with the Rules made thereunder, the Company hasadopted a Whistle-Blower Policy for Directors and Employees to report genuine concerns and to provideadequate safeguards against victimization of persons who may use such mechanism. Employees areencouraged to report actual or suspected violations of applicable laws and regulations and the Code of Conductto the Chairman of Audit Committee to enable taking prompt corrective action, wherever necessary.
21. RISK ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT
Your Company has been on a continuous basis reviewing and streamlining its various operational and businessrisks involved in its business as part of its risk management policy. Your Company also takes all efforts to train itsemployees from time to time to handle and minimize these risks.
22. INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND THEIR ADEQUACY
The Company has in place adequate internal financial controls system with reference to financial statements. Thescope of work includes review of process for safeguarding the assets of the Company, review of operationalefficiency, effectiveness of systems and processes, and assessing the internal control strengths in all areas.
During the year, such controls were tested and no reportable weakness in the design or operation was observed.
23. FRAUD REPORTING
There have been no frauds reported by the Auditors of the Company to the Audit Committee or the Board ofDirectors under sub-section (12) of section 143 of the Companies Act, 2013 during the financial year.
24. As section 178, company’s policy on directors appointment and remuneration includingdetermining qualifications, positive attributes, independence of a director and other matters providedunder section 178:-
As per the provisions of section 178 of Companies Act, 2013, the Nomination and Remuneration Committeehas been constituted by the board, details of which have been placed on the website of the company as“Committees of Board of Directors”
Accordingly, company has also formulated the Audit committee and Stakeholders Relationship committee inaccordance with section 177 and 178 (5) of Companies Act, 2013, details of which has been placed on thewebsite of the company http://franklinleasing.in/corporate-info.html as “Committees of Board of Directors”.
25. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION ANALYSIS REPORT
The Management Discussion and Analysis Reports is attached as “Annexure IN” which forms part ofthis Report.
26. AUDITORS:
a. STATUTORY AUDITORS
Based on the recommendation of Audit Committee and the Board of Directors, Members of the Companyat the 31st Annual General Meeting held on 28th September, 2023 appointed M/s. SSRV & Associates,Chartered Accountants, (ICAI Registration No.: 135901W) as the Statutory Auditors of the Company for aterm of 3 years from the conclusion of 31st Annual General Meeting till the conclusion of Thirty-FourthAnnual General Meeting to be held in the year 2026.
During the year, the Statutory Auditors have confirmed that they satisfy the Independence Criteriarequired under the Companies Act, 2013 and Code of Ethics issued by the Institute of CharteredAccountants of India.
Explanation to Auditor’s Remark
The Auditors’ Report does not contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remarks. Notes to Accounts andAuditors remarks in their report are self-explanatory and do not call for any further comments.
Reporting of fraud by Statutory Auditors
There was no fraud in the Company, which was required to report by Statutory Auditors of the Companyunder sub-section (12) of section 143 of Companies Act, 2013.
b. SECRETARIAL AUDIT:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 134(3)(f) & Section 204 of the Companies (Appointment andRemuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, the Company has appointed AKHIL AGARWAL.,Practicing Company Secretary to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company. Report of theSecretarial Audit in Form MR-3 for the financial year ended March 31,2024 is enclosed as “Annexure I”to the Report. There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks made by the SecretarialAuditor in their report.
c. COST RECORD AND COST AUDIT
Your company does not fall within the provisions of Section 148 of Company’s Act, 2013 read with theCompanies (Cost records & Audit) Rules, 2014, therefore no such records required to be maintained.
d. INTERNAL AUDITOR
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 of the Act read with Rule 13(1)(a) of Companies (Accounts)
Rules, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company has appointed Shikha Singhal & Associates.,Chartered Accountants Firm Reg. No. 332414E to conduct internal audit for the Company for theFinancial Year 2023-24.
27. FAMILIARISATION PROGRAMME FOR DIRECTORS
As a practice, all Directors (including Independent Directors) inducted to the Board go through a
structured orientation programme. Presentations are made by Senior Management giving an overview ofthe operations, to familiarise the new Directors with the Company's business operations. The Directorsare given an orientation on the products of the business, group structure and subsidiaries, Boardconstitution and procedures, matters reserved for the Board, and the major risks and risk managementstrategy of the Company.
During the year under review, no new Independent Directors were inducted to the Board.
In terms of Section 118(10) of the Act, the Company is complying with the Secretarial Standards issuedby the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and approved by Central Government with respect toMeetings of the Board of Directors and General Meetings.
During the period under review, No employee of the Company drew remuneration in excess of the limitsspecified under the provisions of section 197(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rules 5(2) and5(3) of the companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 and henceno disclosure is required to be made in the Annual Report.
In terms of provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 the Company has adopted following policies which areavailable on its website http://franklinleasing.in/corporate-info.html .
No contracts / arrangements / transactions entered by the Company during the financial year with relatedparties. Thus Disclosure in form AOC-2 is not required. Further, during the year, the Company had notentered into any contract /arrangement /transaction with related parties which could be consideredmaterial in accordance with the policy of the Company on materiality of related party transactions. Allrelated party transactions are placed before the Audit Committee and Board for approval. The details ofthe related party transactions as required under Indian Accounting Standard (IND-As) - 24 are set out inNote to the financial statements forming part of this Annual Report.
The Company confirms that it has paid the Annual Listing Fees for the year 2024-25 to The SME Platform of BSELimited where the Company’s Shares are listed.
As required under the provisions of SEBI (PIT) Regulations, 2015, the Board of Directors has adopted a code ofconduct for prevention of Insider Trading. The Code of Conduct is applicable to all the directors and suchidentified employees of the Company as well as who are expected to have access to unpublished price sensitiveinformation related to the Company. The Code lays down guidelines, which advises them on procedures to befollowed and disclosures to be made, while dealing with shares of Franklin Leasing & Finance Limited.
The Company has a policy of zero tolerance for sexual harassment at workplace in line with the provisions ofthe Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and theRules there under.
The following is the summary of sexual harassment complaints received and disposed during the calendar year.
? No. of complaints received: Nil
? No. of complaints disposed off: Nil
All contracts/arrangements/transactions entered by the Company during the financial year with related partieswere in the ordinary course of business and on arm’s length basis. During the year, the Company had notentered into any contract/arrangement/transaction with related parties which could be considered material inaccordance with the policy of the company on materiality of related party transactions.
In terms of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 exempts companieswhich have listed their specified securities on SME Exchange from compliance with corporate governanceprovisions. Since the equity share capital of your Company is listed exclusively on the SME Platform of BSE,
the Company is exempted from compliance with Corporate Governance requirements, and accordingly thereporting requirements like Corporate Governance Report, Business Responsibility Report etc. are notapplicable to the Company.
37. CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGEOUTGO:
The required information as per rule 8(3) of the companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is provided hereunder:
A. Conservation of Energy:
Your Company’s operations are not energy intensive. Adequate measures have been taken to conserve energywherever possible by using energy efficient computers and purchase of energy efficient equipment.
B. Technology Absorption:
1. Research and Development (R&D): NIL
2. Technology absorption, adoption and innovation: NIL
C. Foreign Exchange Earnings and Out Go:
1. Foreign Exchange Earnings: NIL
2. Foreign Exchange Outgo: NIL.
38. DETAILS OF POLICY DEVELOPED AND IMPLEMENTED BY THE COMPANY ON ITSCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY INITIATIVES
The Company has not developed and implemented any Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives as thesaid provisions are not applicable in the Company.
39. DETAILS OF SIGNIFICANT AND MATERIAL ORDERS PASSED BY THE REGULATORS,COURTS AND TRIBUNALS
There are no significant and material orders passed by the Regulators/Courts which would impact thegoing concern status of the Company and its future operations.
40. HUMAN RESOURCES
The Company has established an organization structure that is agile and focused on delivering businessresults. With regular communication and sustained efforts, it is ensuring that employees are aligned oncommon objectives and have the right information on business.
41. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
The statements in this Report, particularly those which relate to Management Discussion and Analysis asexplained in a separate Section in this Report, describing the Company's objectives, projections, estimates andexpectations may constitute 'forward looking statements' within the meaning of applicable laws and regulations.Actual results might differ materially from those either expressed or implied in the statement depending on thecircumstances.
42. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Your Directors would like to express deep sense of appreciation for the assistance and co-operation receivedfrom the Financial Institutions, Banks, Government Authorities and Shareholders and for the devoted service bythe Executives, staff and workers of the Company. The Directors express their gratitude towards each one ofthem.
For and on behalf of the Board
Sd/- Sd/-
Place: New Delhi Mahesh Kumar Dalmia Jagannath Jha
Date: 26/08/2024 Executive Director Executive Director
DIN No.09497773 DIN:08943829