The Directors are pleased to present 31stAnnual Report and the Statements of Accounts for the financial yearended on March 31, 2024.
The Company’s financial performance for the year ended March 31, 2024 along with previous year’s figures isgiven hereunder:
(Rs. In Mn)
Standalone
Consolidated
Particulars
2023-24
2022-23
Gross Sales
600.71
201.03
7931.18
9443.47
Other Income
1213.02
112.88
1226.85
305.99
Profit/(Loss) Before Finance Cost &Depreciation
998.27
(1437.52)
1354.25
(548.81)
Interest/ Finance Cost
42.24
29.95
385.30
502.12
Depreciation
358.98
361.41
653.56
660.75
Profit/(Loss) before Tax
589.39
(1441.20)
266.69
(1937.98)
Tax Expense
10.76
0
(70.65)
16.05
Profit/(Loss) After Tax
600.15
196.04
(1954.03)
Appropriations / Adjustments
8.10
3.68
48.70
226.31
Balance of profit / (loss) brought forward
1168.59
2609.79
(720.78)
1231.19
Profit for the year
195.45
(1951.98)
Re-measurement gains/(losses) on defined benefit plans
-
Proposed Final dividend
Profit carried to the Balance sheet
1768.73
(525.34)
During the year under review, the Company’s net revenue from operations was Rs. 510.30million as against Rs.170.02million in the previous financial year. The Company’s Profit/(Loss) before Depreciation Interest and Tax(“PBDIT”) is Rs. 998.27million in the financial year ended 31st March, 2024 as opposed to PBDIT of Rs(1437.94)Million in the immediate previous financial year.
Taking into account depreciation and interest cost, profit/ (Loss) before tax (PBT) stood at Rs. 589.39million asagainst Rs.(1441.20)Million in the previous financial year and total comprehensive income for the year was Rs.600.15million as against Rs. (1441.20)Million in the previous financial year.
During the year under review, the Company’s net revenue from operations was Rs. 7840.78million as against Rs.8027.75million in the previous financial year. Further, in the financial year ended 31st March, 2024, profit before
tax (PBT) was Rs. 315.39million as against Rs. (1711.67) Million in the previous financial year and profit aftertax (PAT) was Rs. 196.04million against Rs.(1954.03) Million in the previous financial year.
The performance and financial position of the subsidiary company is included in the consolidated financialstatements of the Company.
In financial year 2023-2024, the Sales increased by around 300% to Rs. 510.30million from Rs. 170.02millionin the previous financial year ended 2023. The plant of the company got shut down in December 2019 and thusthere were no manufacturing activities. The Company only got order from Supreme Court to sell the lyingstocks only. Company has earned a profitof Rs. 589.39million as compared to lossesof Rs. 1441.20million inthe previous financial year 2023.
The Company has one wholly owned subsidiary namely Maithan Ispat Limited. A statement containing thesalient features of the financial statements of the subsidiary in the Form AOC-1 is attached with the financialstatements of the Company as per the requirement of Section 129(3) of the Companies Act, 2013.
Maithan Ispat Limited (MIL), the subsidiary company having billet and sponge iron plant was under shut downsince February 2019 as the Consortium of Banks had taken over possession of Company’s plant underSARFAESI Act and no major business activities were there.
Maithan Ispat Limited entered into a One Time Settlement amounting to Rs. 175.00 crores with the ConsortiumBanks and made payment of same and resumed its operations from January 2022.
During the year under review, the Companyearned revenue of Rs. 733.04 crores during the financial year ended2023-24 as compared to revenue of Rs. 785.77 crores in the previous financial year. But due to various factorsthere were operational losses of Rs. 28.16 crores during the year as compared tooperational losses amounting toRs. 27.41 crores during the previous financial year. The Company is hopeful to perform better in future.
During the year under review, there was no change in the nature of the business of the Company.
The Company has not transferred any amount to General Reserves during the Year.
Pursuant to regulations 34 of the Listing Regulations, Management’s Discussion and Analysis Report for theyear is presented in a separate section forming part of the Annual Report.
During the year under review, there was no change in the Authorized Capital of the Company. On March 31,2024, the Authorized Share Capital stood at Rs. 1800.00 million. There was no change in the Company’s issued,subscribed and paid-up equity share capital during the year. On March 31, 2024, it stood at Rs. 1378.75 milliondivided into 13,78,75,000 equity shares of Rs. 10/- each. The Company has neither issued shares with differential
rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise nor issued shares (including sweat equity shares) to the employees orDirectors of the Company, under any Scheme. No disclosure is required under Section 67(3)(c) of CompaniesAct, 2013 in respect of voting rights not exercised directly by the employees of the Company as the provisions ofthe said Section are not applicable.
The Company has not recommended any dividend for the financial year ended March 31, 2024.
As per the requirements of Section 92(3) of the Act and Rules framed thereunder, the extract of the annual returnfor Financial Year ended 2024 is in the prescribed Form No. MGT-9. The same is available on company websitewww.mescosteel.com.
The company has not accepted any deposit from the public falling within the ambit of Section 73 of theCompanies Act, 2013 and the Companies (Acceptance of Deposit) Rules, 2014.
During the financial year 2023-24, the Board of Directors of the Company met 2 times i.e., on December 07,2023 and March 30, 2024. Further, a separate Meeting of the Independent Directors of the Company was alsoheld on March 30, 2024.
Pursuant to the requirements under Section 134, sub-section 3(c) and sub-section 5 of the Companies Act, 2013,the Board of Directors, to the best of their knowledge and ability, state and confirm that:
i. in the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting standards have been followed withno material departures;
ii. we have 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 theCompany at the end of the financial year as on 31.03.2024and of the loss of the Company for the sameperiod;
iii. we have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records inaccordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of theCompany and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
iv. we have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
v. we have laid down internal financial controls in the Company that are adequate and are operatingeffectively; and
vi. we have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws andthat these are adequate and are operating effectively.
The Company has received the necessary declaration from each Independent Director who is part of Boardconfirming that;
i. They meet the criteria of Independence as laid out in Section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 readwith the Schedules, rules made there under and Regulation 25 of SEBI Listing Regulations, 2015.
Independent Directors have also confirmed that they are not aware of any circumstances or situations,which exist or may be reasonably anticipated, that could impair or impact their ability to discharge hisduties with an objective independent judgment and without any external influence and that they areindependent of the Management.
ii. Further, Independent Directors have complied with the Code for Independent Directors prescribed inschedule IV of the Companies Act, 2013 (‘ACT’). Directors and senior management personnel havecomplied with the code of conduct laid down by Board for all members of board of directors andsenior management of the listed entity. and
iii. Registered themselves with the Independent Directors’ Databank as per the Companies (Appointmentand Qualification of Directors) Fifth Amendment Rules, 2019.
The Nomination and Remuneration Committee comprises of 3 Independent Directors as Members. Onemeetingwas held during the financial year under review on March 30, 2024. More details on the committee aregiven in the Corporate Governance Report.
Company’s Policy on Director’s Appointment and Remuneration including criteria for determining qualification,positive attributes, independence of directors and other matters provided under section 178(3) of the CompaniesAct, 2013, there has been no change in the Policy since the previous financial year. Given below is the link onthe website of company where in complete policy is placedhttps://www.mescosteel.com/pdf/investor_misl/Policies/Nomination_Remuneration_Policy.pdf.
At the 29th Annual General Meeting, the Members approved appointment of M/s Ashok Shyam & Associates,Chartered Accountants (Firm registration No. 011223N) as Statutory Auditors of the Company to hold office fora period of five years from the conclusion of that AGM till the conclusion of the thirty forth AGM to be held on2027.
The Statutory Auditors have confirmed that they are not disqualified from continuing as the auditors of theCompany.
The Notes on financial statements referred to in the Auditor’s Report are self-explanatory and do not call for anyfurther comments. The Statutory Auditors have not reported any instance of fraud committed in the Company byits Officers or Employees to the Audit Committee under section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013, details ofwhich needs to be mentioned in this Report.
Auditor Report was qualified for the Financial Year 2023-24. The replies to same were also given at given PointNo. 21. The statement on impact of audit qualifications for the financial year ended March 31, 2024 along withManagement's replies thereon has been filed with BSE too.
Pursuant to section 148 read with Rule 3 & 4 of The Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, if a companydoesn’t have a turnover of Rs. 100 crores in the last preceding financial year then the cost audit is not
applicable.It is hereby informed that our turnover for the preceding financial year is less than Rs. 100 crores thuscost audit is not applicable on us and we are not appointing cost auditor for FY 2024-25.
M/s Tripti Shakya & Company was appointed as Secretarial Auditor for the year 2023-24. M/s Tripti Shakya &Company has issued the audit report in respect of the secretarial audit of the Company for the previous financialyear ended March 31, 2024. The Secretarial Audit Report is annexed as Annexure-A to this Report. GivenBelow is the management’s reply on the observations made by the Secretarial Auditor in their Report.
Further for the financial year 2024-25, M/s Tripti Shakya & Company is appointed as Secretarial Auditor.
Observation No. 1:
In terms of Securities and Exchange Board of India Circular No. Cir/ISD/3/2011, the 100 percent Promoter’sholding is to be in dematerialized form. Promoter holding is not in 100% Demat form.
Management’s Reply:
Company isinreceipt ofdeclaration from promoters that theshares which arenotindematform areeither pendingadjudication ofdisputebeforejudicial/quasi-judicial authorities or has been lost andsamewouldbedemattedoncethedisputeis resolved/settled”
Observation No. 2
The Company has made SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure) Regulation 2015, as amended from time totime but there has been delay in some compliances.
The Company has made compliances with SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure) Regulations 2015 but dueto unavoidable circumstances there was non-compliance with fewRegulations. Company is trying not to defaultfor same in future. Further there has been delay in filing of few compliances due to late receipt ofreports whichwas filed later on with some delay and complied.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 of theCompanies Act, 2013read withRule 13 of The Companies(Accounts) Rules 2014 and based on the Audit Committee recommendations, the Board of Directors of theCompany has appointed Mr. Ranjit Kumar Barik, as the Internal Auditor of the Company for the financial year2024-25.
The Details of Loans, Guarantees and Investments covered under the provision of the Section 186 of theCompanies Act, 2013 are given in the notes of Financial Statements.
During the year under review, the Company has only 1 (one) material unlisted subsidiary i.e., MaithanIspatLimited. Pursuant to Section 129(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Accounting Standard issued by the Instituteof Chartered Accountants of India, Consolidated Financial Statements presented by the Company include theFinancial Statements of its Subsidiary. Consolidated Financial Statements form part of this Annual Report.
Statement containing the salient features of the financial statement of the Company’s subsidiary in Form AOC-1is enclosed as Annexure-B.
In terms of provisions of Section 136 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Company shall place separate auditedaccounts of the Subsidiary Company on its website at www.mescosteel.com.
20. PARTICULARS OF CONTRACTS OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH RELATED PARTIES
During the year under review, the Company entered into contracts or arrangements with related parties whichwere in the ordinary course of business and on arm’s length basis. All related party transactions were placedbefore the Audit Committee for review on quarterly basis. The details of the related party transactions as requiredunder Accounting Standard are set out in Notes to the standalone financial statements forming part of thisAnnual Report.
There are no material transactions with the related parties except transactions which were approved byShareholders at 30th Annual General Meeting held on December 30, 2023, in accordance with Company’sRelated Party Transaction Policy and Regulation 23 of LODR Regulations. As required under Regulation 46 (2)(g) of LODR, the Related Party Transaction Policy and Company’s Material Subsidiary Policy is disclosed in theCompany’s website i.e., www.mescosteel.com
The details of the related party transactions as required under Section 134(3)(h) r/w Rule 8 (2) of the Companies(Accounts) Rules, 2014 and under Regulation 34(3), Para A of Schedule V of SEBI(LODR) Regulations, 2015 isas per Form AOC 2 and is enclosed as Annexure - C.
21. MATERIAL CHANGES AND COMMITMENTS, IF ANY, AFFECTING THE FINANCIALPOSITION OF THE COMPANY
There were no material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company between theend ofthe financial year of the Company to which the financial statements relate and the date of the report exceptto the extent disclosed below:
Point wise Replies to Auditor’s Qualifications
1. The Company has got physical verification done of the Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) by a thirdparty in the state of Odisha, and this Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) in the state of Odishacomprises of approximately 98.90% of the Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) of the Company andhave submitted the report of the third party to the statutory auditor. The Company is making efforts tocomplete the physical verification of the remaining physical assets, being approximately about 1% ofthe Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE) of the Company in the next financial year.
2. The physical verification report from third party has been provided to the auditors and the valuation hasdone at cost price or net realizable value whichever is lower. The value of inventory been taken at costprice since it is less than the net realizable value, since as on date the market price of the inventoryitems has gone up during last 4 years.
3. The major amounts of receivables are from Maithan Ispat Limited, subsidiary of the Company, andMaithan has been making repayment since it restarted operations in January 2022. Maithan in the last 2years have generated positive cash flows and the repayment will be done by Maithan to the Company ina systematic and organized manner without affecting Maithan’s operation. There has been movement inthe receivables since last two years, Maithan has started making payment and Maithan’s net-worth ispositive, hence impairment testing is not required.
4. The original copies of the deposits are with the government authorities or with courts wherever therequirement of submitting the original deposits was. But, the list of deposits and confirmation of thedeposits from the various banks has been submitted and provided.
5. The Company has been verbally informed by ICICI bank that they have received a notice from GSTdepartment and have thus made the entry of debiting the Company’s account as per the notice of theGST department for the amounts recoverable from the Company.
6. The Company is getting reconciliation done for the amount from banks and same will be transferredsoon.
7. The creditors and debtors are more than 4 years old as the operations have been shut down sinceDecember 2019. Further the company is also settling their amounts. Since these amounts are quite old itis not feasible to get confirmation from them. Further, the management is of the view that theconfirmation/reconciliation of the balances will not be any material impact on the state of affairs of theCompany.
8. Due to non-operation of the Plant, the Directors of the Company have infused their own funds intoCompany as and when there is an urgent requirement of funds. These loans given by the Directors tothe Company are interest free and the company can return as and when the company is able to repay theloan.
9. The management has informed that major amount of these advances are sub judice in Hon’ble HighCourt and it has been advised not to make any change in the accounts in this matter.
10. The disputed amounts are with various authorities for various year and at different levels includingappellate. Some of these disputes are old.
11. The company has taken legal opinion on the treatment of Compensation as well interest on same froman independent advocate. Accordingly, details relating to the same are mentioned Note No. 29 notes toaccounts of the Financial Statement. Further the Company is making payment of compensation underprotest by selling of stocks lying with the Company after getting necessary permission and order fromHon’ble Supreme Court. Furthermore, there is a stock of approximate 1.1 million tonne on the groundwhich is being sold under the Hon’ble Supreme court order dated 06.04.2023. This will further reducethis amount. The Company has already deposited with Government an amount of Rs. 415.79 (includingGST) till July 2023 under protest.
12. The amounts are old and have been written back and written off to appropriately reflect the state ofaffairs of the Company. Further, the list of the parties of whom the amounts were written back andwritten off has been provided.
13. This is a continuous supply and that the invoicing will be done as per the arrangement/ understandingand the applicable provisions.
22. CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGEEARNINGS AND OUTGO
The information on conservation of energy, technology absorption and foreign exchange earnings and outgostipulated under Section 134(3) (m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8 of The Companies(Accounts)Rules, 2014, is annexed herewith as Annexure-D.
23. RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY
As per the provisions of Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI LODR 2015, the risk management is not applicable onthe Company.
As per the provisions of Section 135 of the Act, the Company has to contribute to CSR activities if it has a) Networth of more than Rs. 500 crores b) Turnover of more than Rs. 1000 crores c) Net profit of more than Rs. 5crores in the preceding year.
Since the Company does not meet any criteria and thus these provisions are not applicable so they were notrequired to make any contribution towards CSR activities. A report on same is annexed as Annexure-E
The Board of Directors has carried out an annual evaluation of its own performance, board committees andindividual directors pursuant to the provisions of the Act and SEBI Listing Regulations. The performance of theBoard was evaluated by the Board after seeking inputs from all the directors on the basis of criteria such as theboard composition and structure, effectiveness of board processes, information and functioning, etc.
In a separate meeting of Independent Directors, performance of Non-Independent Directors and performance ofthe Board as a whole was evaluated. Further, they also evaluated the performance of the Chairman of theCompany, taking into account the views of the Executive Directors and Non-executive Directors.
During the year under review,
• Mrs. Rita Singh, Mrs. Natasha Sinhaand Mr. Vishwambhar Nath Tiwari resigned from directorship on23.05.2024.
• Mrs. Shipra Singh Rana and Mr. Dushyant Kumar Singh were appointed as Additional ExecutiveDirectors of the Company on 27.02.2024.
• Mr. Hawa Singh Chahar, Independent Non-executive director retired on 21.06.2024.
• Mrs. Shipra Singh Rana resigned on 25.07.2024.
• Mrs. Shipra Singh Rana was appointed as Additional Non-Executive Director on 26.07.2024.
• Mr. Dushyant Kumar Singh resigned on 29.07.2024.
• Mr. Dushyant Kumar Singh was appointed as Additional Executive Director and Mr. Amarendra Khatuawas appointed as Independent Non-executive Director of the Company on 30.07.2024.
• Mr. Prasant Kumar Misra was re-appointed as Independent Non-executive Director of the Company from23.11.2024 to 22.11.2029 for a term of five years.
• Mrs. Shipra Singh Rana was appointed as Whole time Director by the Board of Directors on 30.07.2024for a term of five years.
All the above appointments are subject to approval of shareholders in Annual General Meeting.
27. DETAILS OF SIGNIFICANT AND MATERIAL ORDERS PASSED BY THE REGULATORS ORCOURTS OR TRIBUNALS IMPACTING THE GOING CONCERN STATUS AND COMPANY’SOPERATIONS IN FUTURE.
There are no significant and material orders passed by the regulators or courts or tribunals which impact thegoing concern status and Company’s operations in future except to the extent disclosed at point No. 21 of theDirector’s Report.
It is hereby informed that a Forensic Audit and an investigation were being conducted by SEBI through its CFIDDepartment.SEBI through its order dated 21st February, 2024 has ordered various directions. The Company hasfiled an appeal in the Tribunal against the order of SEBI.The matter is sub-judice.
The Company had taken External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) from Banyan Tree Bank Ltd., Mauritius,and there were disputes regarding the repayment of the balance amount of the ECB loans to Banyan TreeBank Ltd. Banyan Tree Bank Ltd., was acquired / taken over by theBank. Silver Bank (formerly known asBanyan Tree Bank Ltd.) filed a case in the court. The debt of Silver Bank has been paid through assignmentof Debt. Silver Bank filed an affidavit with NCLAT that no dues are receivable from the Company so thematter has been disposed off.
Details of internal financial control and its adequacy in compliance with the provisions of Rule 8 (5)(viii) ofCompanies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 are included in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report, whichforms part of this Report.
The Company has adopted a policy on prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment at workplace inline with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition andRedressal) Act, 2013 and the Rules thereunder. During the financial year ended March 31, 2024, no complaintpertaining to sexual harassment was received by the Company. Further company confirms that the company hascomplied with provisions relating to the constitution of Internal Complaints Committee under the SexualHarassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
The details pertaining to the composition of the audit committee are included in the Corporate GovernanceReport, which is part of this report.
Disclosures pertaining to remuneration and other details as required under Section 197(12) of the Act read withRule 5(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 areprovided as Annexure F to this report.
In terms of the provisions of Section 197(12) of the Act read with Rules 5(2) and 5(3) of the Companies(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, a statement showing the names andother particulars of the employees drawing remuneration in excess of the limits set out in the said rules formspart of this Annual Report and is attached as Annexure-G.
The details pertaining to the composition of the Stakeholder Relationship committee are included in theCorporate Governance Report, which is a part of this report.
Your Company recognizes the value of transparency and accountability in its administrative and managementpractices. The Company promotes the ethical behavior in all its business activities. The Company has adoptedthe Whistle blower Policy and Vigil Mechanism in view to provide a mechanism for the directors andemployeesof the Company to approach Audit Committee of the Company to report existing/ probable violations of laws,rules, regulations or unethical conduct.The Whistle Blower Policy has been posted on the website of theCompany (www.mescosteel.com)
Report on Corporate Governance and Certificate of Practicing Company Secretary regarding compliance of theconditions of Corporate Governance as stipulated in Part C of Schedule V of the SEBI (LODR) Regulations,2015 are enclosed as part of this report.
The Company has complied with the Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries ofIndia.
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.
The Board expresses its sincere gratitude to the shareholders, bankers/lenders, Investors, vendors, State andCentral Government authorities and the valued customers for their continued support. The Board alsowholeheartedly acknowledges and appreciates the dedicated efforts and commitment of all employees of theCompany.
By order of the BoardFor and on behalf ofMideast Integrated Steels Limited
Shipra Singh RanaDirectorDIN: 00137209
Place: New DelhiDate: 30/07/2024