The Hon’ble National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata Bench (“NCLT”) had vide its order dated 12th September,2023 admitted the application for the initiation of the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (“CIRP”) of thecompany in terms of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016 read with the rules and regulations framedthereunder as amended from time to time (“Code”). Accordingly pursuant to the provisions of Section 17 of the IBCthe powers of the Board of Directors of the Corporate Debtor stands suspended and such powers shall be vested withMr. Sriram Mittal appointed as the Insolvency Resolution Professional (the IRP). Further the committee ofcreditors(CoC) of the company pursuant to the meeting held on 11th October, 2023 and in terms of Section 22 (2) ofthe Code resolved with 100% voting share to replace the existing Interim Resolution Professional with CA SantanuBrahma as the resolution professional (RP) for the company. Accordingly the NCLT has in its hearing dated 17thNovember, 2023 through video conferencing pronounced the approval for the appointment of CA. Santanu Brahma asthe RP (“Resolution Professional”) of the Company.
As per Notification no. SEBI/LAD-NRO/GN/2018/21 dated May 31 2018 regulations 17,18, 19, 20 and 21 of theSecurities & Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015 related toBoard of Directors, Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration Committee and Stakeholders RelationshipCommittee respectively shall not be applicable during the insolvency resolution process period in respect of a listedentity which is undergoing CIRP under the Code provided that the role and responsibilities of the Board of Directorsas specified under regulation 17 shall be fulfilled by the interim resolution professional or resolution professional inaccordance with sections 17 and 23 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. Hence the status of the Board of Directorsand Committees provided in this Report is as on the date of commencement of CIRP i.e. 12th September, 2023.
We hereby presents the 29th Annual Report of Aanchal Ispat Limited (the Company) along with the audited financialstatements for the financial year ended March 31, 2024.
1. FINANCIAL RESULTS
The Company’s financial performance for the year ended 31st March, 2024 is summarised below:
PARTICULARS
2023-2024
2022-2023
Sales and other operating Income
10,939.05
19,453.67
Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation & amortization (EBITDA)
(339.76)
(2218.29)
Finance costs
351.46
765.15
Depreciation and amortization expenses
62.99
63.81
Profit/ (loss) before tax
(754.21)
(3047.25)
a) Current Tax
-
b) Current Tax Expense relating to Prior Year's
c) Deferred Tax
(129.40)
(701.55)
Profit/(loss) for the period
(624.81)
(2345.71)
2. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND STATE OF THE COMPANY’S AFFAIRS:
The Company’s revenue in FY 2023-24 was Rs. 10,939.05 lakhs compare to Rs. 19,453.67 lakhs in the previousfinancial year. EBIDTA stood at Rs. (339.76) lakhs in FY 2023-24 compared to Rs. (2218.29) lakhs in the previousfinancial year. The Company reported a post-tax loss of Rs. 624.81 lakhs in FY 2023-24 compared to a post-tax lossof Rs. 2345.71 lakhs in the previous financial year.
3. TRANSFER TO RESERVES
The Company has not transferred any amount to the Reserves for the year ended 31 st March, 2024.
4. DIVIDEND
The company has not recommend the payment of any dividend on equity shares for the year ended 31st March, 2024.
The company is engaged in manufacturing of a wide range of TMT Bars, MS Rounds & Angles, besides Trading ofSteel Products etc. There has been no change in the nature of business of the Company.
The paid up Equity Share Capital as at March 31, 2024 stood at '20.85 cores. During the year under review, the Companyhas not issued shares or convertible securities or shares with differential voting rights nor has granted any stock optionsor sweat equity or warrants. As on March 31, 2024, none of the Directors of the Company hold instruments convertibleinto Equity Shares of the Company.
In terms of provisions of Section 92(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 12 of the Companies (Management &Administration) Rules, 2014, a copy of the Annual Return as prescribed under Section 92 of the Companies Act, 2013forms a part of this report and is annexed as Annexure - “A” and the same can also be assessed at the website of theCompany at www. aan ch alispat. com.
The Company has not accepted any public deposit during the year under review and no amount against the same wasoutstanding at the end of the year.
The company is not having a holding or subsidiary company during the year and no other company has become aholding/subsidiary/ joint venture.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has mandated SS-1 and SS-2 with respect to board/committee meetings and generalmeetings respectively. The company is under CIRP w.e.f 12th September, 2024, therefore the company has ensuredcompliance with the Secretarial Standards to the extent possible.
In conformity with the provision of regulation 34(2) (c) of SEBI (LODR), Regulations 2015, the Cash Flow Statementfor the year ended 31.03.2024 is annexed hereto. The equity shares of the Company are listed on the BSE Ltd.
As required under Section 134 (3) (m) ofthe Act read with Rule 8 of The Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, particularsrelating to conservation of Energy, R & D, Technology absorption, and foreign exchange earnings/outgo are separatelyprovided in the annexure to this report as Annexure - “B”.
As per the terms of Regulation 34(2) read with Schedule V of SEBI Listing Regulations, Management’s Discussion andAnalysis Report for the year under review is presented in a separate section forming part of the Annual Report.
Since the Company is undergoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) w.e.f 12th September, 2023, thepowers of the Directors have been suspended and such powers are vested in CA. Santanu Brahma, in the capacity ofResolution Professional.
There were no changes in the composition of the Board of Directors.
None of the Directors of the Company is disqualified for being appointed as Director, as specified under section 164(2)of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 14(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules,2014.
Ms. Puja Kaul, Company Secretary resigned from her post w.e.f 12th September, 2023.
Mr. Mukesh Kumar Agarwal, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the company resigned from his post w.e.f 15thNovember, 2023 but it is not yet approved by the Committee of Creditors (CoC).
15. RETIREMENT BY ROTATION AND SUBSEQUENT RE-APPOINTMENT
In accordance with the provisions of Section 152 and other applicable provisions, if any, of the Act (including anystatutory modification(s) or re-enactment(s) thereof for the time being in force) and the Articles of Association of theCompany, Mr. Manoj Goel, Director, is liable to retire by rotation at the ensuing AGM and being eligible have offeredhimself for re-appointment. A resolution seeking shareholders’ approval for his re-appointment along with otherrequired details forms part of the Notice.
The Managing Director & CEO and Independent Directors of the Company are not liable to retire by rotation.
*His appointment on the Board is being part of compliance with section 152(6) of the Companies Act, 2013. However,the Board shall continue to remain suspended during the continuance of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process.
16. DECLARATION BY INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
Hence, the provisions of Section 149 of the Act, is not applicable on the company.
17. NUMBER OF MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
09 (Nine) meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the financial year 2023-2024. The maximum gap betweenany two meetings was less than 120 days, as stipulated under SEBI’s Listing Requirements, 2015. The details of themeetings of the Board of Directors of the Company convened and attended by the Directors during the financial year2023-2024 are given in the Corporate Governance Report which forms part of this Annual Report.
18. NOMINATION AND REMUNERATION POLICY
The salient features of the Nomination and Remuneration Policy of the Company are set out in the CorporateGovernance Report which forms part of this Annual Report. The said Policy of the Company, inter alia, provides thatthe Nomination and Remuneration Committee shall formulate the criteria for appointment & re-appointment ofDirectors on the Board of the Company and persons holding Senior Management positions in the Company, includingtheir remuneration and other matters as provided under Section 178 of the Act and Listing Regulation.
19. BOARD EVALUATION
The Board of Directors of the company are suspended pursuant to the Pursuant to Hon’ble NCLT, Kolkata bench orderfor admission of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) under the Insolvency Bankruptcy Code, 2016 w.e.fSeptember 12, 2023.
Though the Company is under CIRP, the Company has over the years developed a robust familiarization process forthe newly appointed directors with respect to their roles and responsibilities, way ahead of the prescription of theregulatory provisions. The process has been aligned with the requirements under the Act and other related Regulations.This process inter-alia includes providing an overview of the Company’s business model, the risks and opportunitiesetc. Details of the Familiarization Programme are also available on the Company’s website athttps://www.ushdev.com/pdf/familiarisation-Program.pdf
COMMITTEES
As on 31st March, 2024, the Board stands suspended due to the CIRP. During the year the company has threecommittees: Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration Committee and Stakeholders Relationship Committee.
During the year, all recommendations made by the committees were approved by the Board. A detailed note on thecomposition of the Board and its committees is provided in the corporate governance report.
0 AUDIT COMMITTEE
Under Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process, the Power/role of Audit Committee is exercisable by theRP. Although the terms of reference for each Committee in the absence of CIRP are mentioned hereunder
The Audit Committee comprised of 3 non-executive directors and all three are independent. During the year,the Audit Committee met (Five) times to deliberate on various matters on 30.05.2023, 01.06.2023,09.06.2023, 20.06.2023, 14.08.2023.
The Composition of the Audit Committee and the attendance of each member at these meetings are asfollows:-
Name
Position Held
Number of Meetings duringthe Financial Year 2023-24
Entitled
Attended
Ms. Nilu Nigania
Chairperson
5
Mr. Mukesh Agarwal
Member
Ms. Shikha Jaiswal
0
The Audit Committee ensures an effective internal control system.
0 NOMINATION AND REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee comprises 4 non-executive directors, out of which three areindependent. During the year, the Nomination and Remuneration Committee met once to deliberate onvarious matters on 12.09.2023.
The Composition of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the attendance of each member atthese meetings are as follows:-
Number of Meeting duringthe Financial Year 2023-24
Chairman
1
0 STAKEHOLDER’S RELATIONSHIP COMMITTEE
The Stakeholders Relationship Committee comprises 3 non-executive directors and all three areindependent. During the year, the Committee did not meet due to the ongoing Corporate InsolvencyResolution Process (CIRP).
20. SEPARATE MEETING OF INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
Due to the ongoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) there could not be any separatemeeting of the Independent Directors during the FY 2023-2024.
21. FAMILIARIZATION PROGRAM FOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
All independent directors inducted into the Board are familiarized with the operations and functioning of theCompany. The details of the training and familiarization program are provided in the Corporate Governancereport.
22. DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
In compliance with the provisions of Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 the suspended Board ofDirectors to the best of their knowledge and hereby confirm the following:
a) in the preparation of the annual accounts for the financial year ended 31st March 2024, the applicableaccounting standards had been followed along with proper explanation relating to material departures;
b) Selection of such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgments and estimates thatare reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company as at 31stMarch, 2024 and profit and loss account of the Company for that period;
c) Taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with theprovisions of the Companies Act, 2013, for safeguarding the assets of the company and for preventing anddetecting fraud and other irregularities;
d) The annual accounts are prepared on a going concern basis; and
e) The company had laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the company and that such internalfinancial controls are adequate and were operating effectively.
f) Devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that suchsystems were adequate and operating effectively.
23. AUDITORS & AUDITORS’ REPORT
Statutory Auditors
M/s Rajesh Jalan & Associates, Chartered Accountants, Kolkata (FRN 326370E) were appointed as StatutoryAuditors of the Company for the term of five years at the 25'™ Annual General Meeting held on 15thDecember, 2020 as per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
The Auditors have issued a modified opinion on the Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31stMarch, 2024. The Auditors’ Report for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024 on the financial statementsof the Company is a part of this Annual Report.
Pursuant to Section 148 of the Act, read with the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 andamendments thereof, the Company is required to maintain cost accounting records in respect of certainspecified products, and accordingly, such accounts and records are made and maintained in the prescribedmanner. The cost accounting records maintained by the Company are required to be audited and, accordingly,M/s. Rana Ghosh & Co were appointed Cost Auditors for FY 2023-24.
The Resolution Professional has re-appointed M/s. Rana Ghosh & Co Cost Accountant, as Cost Auditors forauditing the cost records of the Company for the financial year 2024-25. The Act mandates that theremuneration payable to the Cost Auditor is ratified by the shareholders. Accordingly, a resolution seekingratification of the shareholders for the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditors for the financial year 2024¬25 is included in the Notice convening the 29th Annual General Meeting.
Internal A uditor
The Company appointed M/s Sailesh Agarwal & Associates LLP (FRN: E300263 ) for the FY 2023-24 anIndependent firm of Chartered Accountants to act as an Internal Auditor as per the suggestion of auditors andthe recommendation of the Audit Committee in the Board Meeting held on 9th June, 2023 in order tostrengthen the internal control system for the Company.
Secretarial Auditor
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Appointmentand Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, the Company appointed M/s Manisha Saraf &Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries, as its secretarial auditor to undertake the Secretarial Audit forFY 2023-24. The Company has received consent from M/s. Manisha Saraf & Associates to act as the auditorfor conducting an audit of the secretarial records for the financial year ending 31st March, 2024. Thesecretarial audit report certified by the secretarial auditors, in the specified form MR-3 is annexed herewithand forms part of this report (Annexure “C”). The secretarial audit report does not contain any qualifications,reservations, or adverse remarks.
The Code of Conduct of Directors, KMP‘s and Senior executive of the Company is already in force andthe same has been placed on the Company’s website www.aanchalispat.com and the declaration for theaffirmation with the same forms a part of this report.
Your Company has practice sound Corporate Governance and taken necessary actions at appropriate timesfor enhancing and meeting stakeholders’ expectations while continuing to comply with mandatory provisionsof Corporate Governance. Your Company has complied with the requirements of all applicable regulationsread with Schedule-V of SEBI Listing regulations as issued by SEBI and amended from time to time.
A report on Corporate Governance along with certificate from M/s Rajesh Jalan & Associates, CharteredAccountants, regarding the compliance of conditions is presented in a separate section forming part of theAnnual Report.
The policy of the Company on Director’s appointment and remuneration, including criteria for determiningqualifications, independence, and other matters is as provided under subsection(3) of Section 178 of theCompanies Act, 2013 is available on the company’s website at www.aanchalispat.com.
The particulars of employees as required under Section 197 (12) of the Act read with Rule 5 (1)of theCompanies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, (as amended) are givenin separate annexure attached hereto as Annexure-“D” and forms a part of this report.
Further stating there were no such employees drawing remuneration in excess of the limits set out in Section197 (12) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 5(2) & 5 (3) of the Companies (Appointment andRemuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014.
During the financial year, all transactions entered into with the Related Parties as defined under theCompanies Act, 2013, were in the ordinary course of business on arm’s length basis and as such did notattract provisions of Section 188 (1) of Companies Act, 2013. The company has formulated a policy on relatedparty transactions. Particulars of related party transactions pursuant to Section 134(3) (h) of the Act read withRule 8(2) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 in Form AOC-2 is attached at Annexure - “E”.Approvals from the Audit Committee are obtained even for transactions which are in the ordinary course ofbusiness and repetitive in nature. Further, on a quarterly basis, disclosures are made to the Audit Committeeand to the Board in its meetings. Details of related party transactions are given in the notes to financialstatements.
Details of loans, guarantees, and investments under the provisions of Section 186 of the Act read with theCompanies (Meetings of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014, as on 31st March, 2024, are set out in Note 8 tothe Financial Statements of the Company.
The risk management strategy of your Company is based on a clear understanding of various risks, andadherence to well-laid-out risk policies and procedures that are benchmarked with industry best practices.The Company has developed robust systems and embraced adequate practices for identifying, measuring,and mitigating various risks - business, strategic, operational, market, credit, liquidity, reputational andprocess risks - and ensuring that they are maintained within pre-defined risk appetite levels.
The Company has not developed and implemented any Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives as theprovisions of section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 along with Companies (Corporate SocialResponsibility Policy) Rules, 2014 as they are not applicable.
The Company has established an effective Whistle blower policy (Vigil mechanism) and procedures for itsDirectors and employees whereby employees, directors and other stakeholders can report matters such asgeneric grievances, corruption, misconduct, fraud, misappropriation of assets, and non-compliance with codeof conduct to the Company. The policy safeguards the whistle blowers to report concerns or grievances andalso provides direct access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. During the year under review, none ofthe personnel has been denied access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. This policy is available onCompany’s website www.aanchalispat. com.
The Company has also adopted the Code of Practice and Procedures for Fair Disclosure of Unpublished PriceSensitive Information (“the Code”) in line with the SEBI PIT Regulations.
34. INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS
The Company has adopted policies and procedures for ensuring the orderly and efficient conduct of itsbusiness, including adherence to the Company’s Policies, the safeguarding of its assets, the prevention anddetection of frauds and errors, the accuracy and completeness of accounting records, and the timelypreparation of financial disclosures.
The Company has an Internal Control System commensurate with the size, scale and complexity of itsoperations. These are routinely tested and certified by Statutory as well as Internal Auditor. Significant auditobservations and corrective action are reported to the Audit Committee.
The concerned executives monitors and evaluates the efficacy and adequacy of internal control system in theCompany, its compliance with operating systems, accounting procedures and policies at all locations of theCompany. Based on the report of internal audit function, process owners undertake corrective action in theirrespective areas and thereby strengthen the controls. Significant audit observations and corrective actionsthereon are presented to the Audit Committee.
35. INSURANCE
The Company has taken appropriate insurance for all assets against foreseeable perils.
36. DISCLOSURE UNDER THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE(PREVENTION. PROHIBITION. AND REDRESSAL) ACT, 2013
There were no complaints pending for the redresses at the beginning of the year and no complaints receivedduring the financial year.
37. COURT/TRIBUNAL ORDERS
There were no instances of any significant and material orders passed by the regulators or courts or tribunalsimpacting the going concern status and the Company’s operations in the future.
38. MATERIAL CHANGES AFFECTING THE COMPANY
There are no material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company between theend of the financial year and the date of this report.
There has been no change in the nature of business of the Company.
39. APPRECIATION
The management thank the shareholders for their continued support and they would like to place on recordtheir appreciation for the dedicated services rendered by the Employees at all levels.
We thank our customers, vendors, dealers, investors, business associates and bankers for their continued supportduring the year.
We place on record our appreciation of the contribution made by the employees at all levels. Our resilience to meetchallenges was made possible by their hard work, solidarity, co-operation and support.
On b eh alf of the su spended Board of Directors of Aanchal Ispat
Limited
(Authorised by the Resolution Professional)
Sd/-
Mukesh Goel
Place: Howrah (Managing Director)
Date: 30.05.2024 DIN:00555061