Your Directors have pleasure in presenting the Hundred and Fifteenth Year Annual Report together with theaudited accounts of the Company for the year ended 31st March 2025.
31.03.2025
31.03.2024
No. of days worked
356
357
(' in Lakhs)
Revenue from operations
26,316.27
25,296.90
Other income
637.23
804.14
Gross Revenue
26,953.50
26,101.04
Profit / (Loss) before Tax and Exceptional Items
(740.45)
(2,189.93)
Exceptional items
21.54
169.06
Profit / (Loss) before Taxation
(718.91)
(2,020.87)
Tax Expense
(251.38)
(641.58)
Profit / (Loss) after Taxation
(467.53)
(1,379.29)
The Company’s Gross Revenue increased by 3.27% from ' 26,101.04 Lakhs in 2023-24 to ' 26,953.50 Lakhsin 2024-25 and the Net Loss after Tax for financial year 2024-25 is ' 467.53 Lakhs as against the Net Loss of' 1,379.29 Lakhs for the financial year 2023-24. The installed capacity remained at the same level of 1.44 lakhspindles throughout the year 2024-25. Due to adverse market conditions in domestic and export fronts, theproduction of yarn was affected resulting in lower turnover. The utilization of the plant was based on the marketdemand for yarn during the year.
The revenue segments of the Company continue to be structured with two business segments as (a) Textiles and
(b) Rental Services.
The Directors have not recommended any dividend for the financial year 2024-25 in the absence of profit.
There is no change in the nature of business operations of the Company during the year.
The income generated from rental services during the year was ' 2,303.47 Lakhs (Previous year - ' 1,648.10Lakhs).
Your Company apart from manufacturing Cotton and Synthetic yarn have outsourced fabrics both for exports aswell as for domestic market. Export of yarn and fabrics accounted for ' 3,371.88 Lakhs as against ' 4,415.47Lakhs in the previous year, a decrease of around 23.63% from the previous year’s performance.
The Company has not transferred any amount to its Reserves during the year under review. However, the lossincurred during the year has been adjusted with the surplus under the head Retained Earnings.
In terms of Sections 124 and 125 of the Companies Act, 2013, unclaimed or unpaid Dividend relating to thefinancial year 2017-18 is due for remittance to the Investor Education and Protection Fund established by theCentral Government.
Further, pursuant to Section 124(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Investor Education and ProtectionFund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016, 771 Equity Shares of ' 100/- each on whichdividend had remained unclaimed for a period of 7 years has been transferred to the credit of Demat Accountof the IEPF Authority during the year under review. As on 31st March 2025, 20,135 (2.89%) Equity Shares of theCompany were in the credit of the Demat Account of the IEPF Authority.
During the year under review, unclaimed dividend amount of ' 2,48,931/- for the year 2016-17 has beentransferred to IEPF Authority.
The paid up Equity Share Capital as on 31st March 2025 was ' 6,95,55,000/- comprising 6,95,550 Equity shares of' 100/- each. During the year under review, the Company has not altered / modified its Authorised Share Capitaland the Company has not made any fresh issue of shares.
The Annual Return of the Company for the financial year 2024-25 as required under Section 92(3) of the CompaniesAct, 2013 is available on the website of the Company at the link www.lakshmimills.com/annual-return.
During the year under review, 6 Meetings of the Board of Directors, 4 Meetings of the Audit Committee, 2 Meetingsof the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, 1 Meeting of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee,1 Meeting of the Stakeholders Relationship Committee and 17 Meetings of the Share Transfer Committee wereheld. Further details of the same have been enumerated in the Corporate Governance Report annexed herewith.
The Directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of applicable SecretarialStandards and that such systems are adequate and operating effectively. The Company is in compliance with theapplicable Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
Pursuant to the requirements under Section 134(3)(c) of the Companies Act, 2013, with respect to the Directors’Responsibility Statement, it is hereby confirmed that-
(a) in the preparation of the annual accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025, the applicable accountingstandards have been followed and there were no material departures from those standards;
(b) the Directors 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 and of the loss of the Company for that period;
(c) the Directors 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 the Company andfor preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
(d) the Directors have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
(e) the Directors have laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and that such internalfinancial controls are adequate and operating effectively; and
(f) the Directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of the applicable lawsand such systems are adequate and operating effectively.
DETAILS IN RESPECT OF FRAUDS REPORTED BY AUDITORS UNDER SECTION 143(12) OF THE COMPANIES ACT,
2013 other than those which are reportable to the central government
The Company has received declarations from all the Independent Directors of the Company confirming that theymeet the criteria of independence as stipulated in Section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation16(1)(b) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and that their name isincluded in the data bank as per Rule 6(3) of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules,2014. During the year, the Independent Directors of the Company had no pecuniary relationship or transactionswith the Company other than sitting fees and reimbursement of expenses incurred by them for the purposeof attending meetings of the Board of Directors and Committee(s). The details of sitting fees paid to theIndependent Directors are mentioned in the Corporate Governance Report. Further, they have also declared thatthey are not aware of any circumstance or situation, which exist or may be reasonably anticipated, that couldimpair or impact their ability to discharge their duties with an objective independent judgment and without anyexternal influence. In the opinion of the Board, the Independent Directors, fulfil the conditions of independenceas specified in Section 149(6) of the Act and Regulation 16(1)(b) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and DisclosureRequirements) Regulations, 2015. The Independent Directors have also confirmed that they have complied withthe Company’s Code of Business Conduct & Ethics.
Based on the confirmation/disclosures received from the Directors and on the evaluation of the relationshipsdisclosed, the following Non-Executive Directors are Independent:
Sri K. Murali Mohan, Sri Ashwin Chandran, Sri R. Varadarajan and Smt Suguna Ravichandran
Pursuant to Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014, the Independent Directors DataBank Registration Certificate as required from all the Independent Directors of the Company was taken on noteby the Board of Directors of the Company.
STATEMENT REGARDING OPINION OF THE BOARD WITH REGARD TO INTEGRITY, EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE
(including the proficiency) of the independent directors during the year
The Board of Directors have evaluated the Independent Directors during the year 2024-25 and opined that theintegrity, expertise and experience (including proficiency) of the Independent Directors are satisfactory.
In compliance with the requirements of the Listing Regulations, the Company has put in place a familiarizationprogramme for the Independent Directors to familiarize them with their roles, rights and responsibilities asIndependent Directors, the working of the Company, nature of the industry in which the Company operates. Thesame is also available on the Company website at https://www.lakshmimills.com/familiarisation-programme.
COMPANY’S POLICY RELATING TO DIRECTORS APPOINTMENT, PAYMENT OF REMUNERATION AND OTHERMATTERS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 178(3) OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
The composition and attendance of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee of Directors of the Companyare reported elsewhere in the Annual Report.
The Board of Directors has framed a policy which lays down a framework in relation to nomination, appointmentand remuneration of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and Senior Management of the Company. ThePolicy broadly lays down the guiding principles, philosophy and the basis for payment of remuneration to theExecutive Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and Senior Management. The policy also provides the criteriafor determining qualifications, positive attributes and Independence of Directors and criteria for appointmentof Key Managerial Personnel / Senior Management pursuant to the provisions of Section 178 of the CompaniesAct, 2013 and in terms of Regulation 19(4) of the SEBI Listing Regulations and their performance evaluationwhich are considered by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directors whilemaking selection of the appointees. The above policy has been posted on the website of the Company at -https://www.lakshmimills.com/investors/Nomination-and-Remuneration-Policv.pdf.
There are no qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks or disclaimers made by M/s. Subbachar & Srinivasan,Statutory Auditors.
PARTICULARS OF LOANS, GUARANTEES OR INVESTMENTS MADE UNDER SECTION 186 OF THE COMPANIES ACT,2013
During the year under review, the Company has made investments and complied with the provisions of Section 186of Companies Act, 2013. However, the Company has not given any loans or guarantees or provided any securitiescovered under the provisions of Companies Act, 2013. Further, the details in respect of investments made in theearlier years and the year under review have been disclosed in the notes to the Financial Statements.
All the transactions of the Company during the year with the related parties were in the ordinary course ofbusiness and on an arm’s length pricing basis and not material in nature and thus a disclosure in Form AOC-2under the Companies Act, 2013, are not required. Further, there are no material related party transactionsduring the year under review with Promoters, Directors or Key Managerial Personnel.
The policy on Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board of Directors of the Company hasbeen uploaded on the website of the Company and may be accessed through the link athttps://www.lakshmimills.com/wp-content/uploads/Policv-on-Related-Partv-Transactions.pdf.
There is no material change or commitment affecting the financial position of the Company after the closure ofthe financial year as on 31st March 2025 and till the date of this report.
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION, FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS AND OUTGO
The information pertaining to Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption, Foreign Exchange Earnings andOutgo as required under section 134 (3) (m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8(3) of the Companies(Accounts) Rules, 2014 is attached herewith as Annexure - 1 forming part of this report.
The Company follows a comprehensive and integrated risk management process. The risk management processis designed to safeguard the organization from various risks through adequate and timely actions. It is designedto anticipate, evaluate and mitigate risks in order to minimize its impact on the business. The potential risks arereviewed and integrated with the management process such that they receive the necessary consideration duringdecision making by the Board of Directors.
The Board has formed a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee comprising of the following Directors:
1. Sri S. Pathy - Chairman
2. Sri Aditya Krishna Pathy - Member and
3. Sri Ashwin Chandran - Member
The Company has adopted a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy defining therein the CSR activities to beundertaken by the Company in areas or subjects specified in Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013. TheCorporate Social Responsibility Committee of the Board is responsible for the implementation and effectivemonitoring of the CSR activities of the Company. The CSR policy may be accessed on the Company’s websitehttps://www.lakshmimills.com/other-information.
The Company’s average net profit for the three immediately preceding financial years is less than the prescribedlimit as per Section 135 read with Section 198 of the Companies Act, 2013 and hence no amount has beenprescribed/allocated for the CSR expenditure. Thus, no amount has been spent on the CSR activities of theCompany for the financial year 2024-25.
The Annual Report on the Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) activities of the Company for the year is set outas Annexure-2 to this report in the format prescribed in the Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Act and the Listing Regulations, the Board has carried out the annual evaluationof its own performance, the individual Directors (including the Chairman) as well as an evaluation of theworking of all Board Committees. The performance evaluation was carried out on the basis of the criteria laiddown by Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the inputs received from all the Directors/Members ofthe Committees, considering the various aspects of the Board’s functioning, composition of the Board and itsCommittees, culture, execution and performance of specific duties, obligations and governance. The IndependentDirectors of the Company have also convened a separate meeting on 14.02.2025 to review the performance ofthe Non-Independent Directors and the Board as a whole and assessing the quality, quantity and timeliness offlow of information between the Company and the Board. The results of evaluation have been communicated tothe Chairman of the Board of Directors.
In accordance with the provisions of Section 152 of the Act and the Articles of Association of the Company,Sri Aditya Krishna Pathy (DIN 00062224) Director is liable to retire by rotation at the ensuing Annual GeneralMeeting (“AGM”) and being eligible offers himself for re-appointment.
The Board recommends his reappointment for the consideration of the Members of the Company at the forthcomingAnnual General Meeting. Brief profile of Sri Aditya Krishna Pathy is given in the Notice convening the ensuingAnnual General Meeting.
Sri Aditya Krishna Pathy (DIN 00062224) was appointed as Deputy Managing Director for a period of 5 years from30.07.2020 and his term of office expires on 29.07.2025. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee and AuditCommittee at their respective meetings held on 28.05.2025 have recommended to the Board the reappointmentof Sri Aditya Krishna Pathy as Deputy Managing Director for a further period of 3 years with the terms andconditions, and the Board at its meeting held on 28.05.2025 has approved the reappointment of Sri Aditya KrishnaPathy as Deputy Managing Director for a further period of 3 years from 30.07.2025 subject to the approval of theShareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
Your Directors recommend the reappointment of Sri Aditya Krishna Pathy, as Deputy Managing Director of theCompany
Pursuant to the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and the Board of Directorsat their meeting held on 9th August 2024, of Sri K. Murali Mohan (DIN: 00626361), Sri Ashwin Chandran (DIN:00001884) and Sri R. Varadarajan (DIN 00001738) were appointed as Independent Directors of the Company forthe first term of five (5) consecutive years with effect from 9th September 2024 by the Members at the 114thAnnual General Meeting held on 9th September 2024.
During the year under review, the following Non-Executive Independent Directors completed their second termof five years and retired from the Board of the Company effective from 9th September 2024:
i. Sri Satish Ajmera (DIN: 00208919)
ii. Sri D. Rajendran (DIN: 00003848)
iii. Sri Vijay Venkataswamy (DIN: 00002906)
The Board places on record its sincere appreciation for the invaluable guidance and counsel rendered by theabove Directors during their period of office.
Subject to the recommendations of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and approval by the Board ofDirectors at their forthcoming meetings, a Women Independent Director shall be appointed at the ensuing AnnualGeneral Meeting to fill the vacancy arising from the retirement of Smt. Suguna Ravichandran.
The Key Managerial Personnel of the Company pursuant to Section 2(51) and 203 of the Companies Act,2013 are Sri S. Pathy - Chairman and Managing Director, Sri Aditya Krishna Pathy - Deputy Managing Director,Sri N. Singaravel - Company Secretary and Sri A. Doraiswamy - Chief Financial Officer.
SUBSIDIARIES, JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATE COMPANIES
The Company does not have any joint venture, subsidiary or associate company.
Since the Company has not accepted any fixed deposit covered under Chapter V of the Companies Act, 2013,there are no deposits remaining unclaimed or unpaid as on 31st March, 2025 and accordingly, the question ofdefault in repayment of deposits or payment of interest thereon during the year does not arise.
There are no significant material orders passed by the Regulators, Courts, Tribunals which would impact the goingconcern status of the Company and its future operations.
Your Company has in place adequate internal financial controls commensurate with the size, scale and complexityof its operations. Such controls have been assessed during the year under review taking into consideration theessential components of internal controls stated in the Guidance Note on Audit of Internal Financial Controlsover Financial Reporting issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Based on the results of suchassessments carried out by the management, no reportable or significant deficiencies and no material weakness inthe design or operation of any control were observed. The Audit Committee of the Board periodically reviews theInternal Financial Control Systems and their adequacy and recommends corrective action as and when necessaryto ensure that an effective internal control mechanism is in place.
The Directors and Management confirm that the internal financial controls with reference to the FinancialStatements are commensurate with the size and nature of business of the Company. A report of Auditors pursuantto Section 143(3)(i) of the Companies Act, 2013 certifying the adequacy of Internal Financial Controls is annexedwith the Auditors Report.
The composition and attendance of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company aredisclosed in the Corporate Governance Report. The Company has devised a vigil mechanism in the form of aWhistle Blower Policy to provide adequate safeguards to deal with instances of fraud andmismanagement and to report concerns about unethical behavior or any violation of the Company’s Code ofConduct in pursuance of provisions of Section 177(10) of the Companies Act, 2013 as explained in the CorporateGovernance Report and also the Policy is posted on the website of company and can be accessed at the linkhttps://www.lakshmimills.com/wp-content/uploads/Vigil-Mechanism-Whistle-Blower-Policv.pdf. During theyear under review, there were no complaints received under this mechanism.
M/s. Subbachar & Srinivasan (Firm Registration No.004083S), Chartered Accountants, Coimbatore were appointedas the Statutory Auditors of the Company for a period of five years at the 112th Annual General Meeting of theCompany held on 9th September 2022.
The Company has received a Certificate from the Statutory Auditors to the effect that their continuedappointment as the Statutory Auditors of the Company, would be within the limits prescribed under section 139of the Companies Act, 2013.
Pursuant to Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, asamended from time to time, the Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Audit Committee has reappointedM/s. A.R.Ramasubramania Raja & Co., (Firm Registration No. 000519) a firm of Cost Accountants, as the CostAuditors to audit the cost records of the Company for the financial year 2025-26. M/s. A.R.Ramasubramania Raja& Co., have confirmed that their appointment is within the limits of section 141(3)(g) of the Companies Act, 2013and have also certified that they are free from any disqualifications specified under section 141(3) and provisoto section 148(3) read with section 141(4) of the Companies Act, 2013. The Audit Committee has also received aCertificate from the Cost Auditor certifying their independence and arm’s length relationship with the Company.
As per the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, aresolution seeking Members’ approval for the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditors for the financial year2025-26 forms part of the Notice convening the 115th Annual General Meeting of the Company for their ratification.Accordingly, the Board recommends for the resolution seeking Members’ ratification for the remuneration payableto M/s. A.R.Ramasubramania Raja & Co., Cost Auditors.
MAINTENANCE OF COST RECORDS UNDER SUB-SECTION (1) OF SECTION 148 OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013
The Company has maintained the Cost Records as specified by the Central Government under sub-section (1) ofSection 148 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013 and its relevant rules made thereunder, theBoard of Directors had appointed M/s. MDS & Associates LLP, Company Secretaries, Coimbatore as SecretarialAuditors for the Financial Year 2024-25. Accordingly, the Secretarial Audit Report for the financial year endedMarch 31, 2025, is annexed herewith as Annexure - 3 to this Report. With respect to the observations made bySecretarial Auditors of the Company in their report for the year ended March 31, 2025, which are self-explanatory,your Directors wish to state that necessary steps have been initiated to ensure due compliance with all applicablestatutory requirements.
Pursuant to Regulation 24A of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and theprovisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the Companies (Appointment and Remunerationof Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, and subject to the approval of Shareholders in the ensuing Annual GeneralMeeting, the Board of Directors of the Company have recommended the appointment of MDS & Associates LLP,Company Secretaries, Coimbatore as Secretarial Auditors of the Company for a first term of 5 (five) consecutivefinancial years commencing from the financial year 2025-26.
M/s. MDS & Associates LLP, Company Secretaries, Coimbatore have given their consent and confirmed theireligibility for appointment as Secretarial Auditors of the Company. Further, the Secretarial Auditors has confirmedthat they hold a valid Peer Review Certificate issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India. The necessaryresolution for their appointment has been included in the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting Notice for theapproval of the Members
Pursuant to Regulation 34 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, theManagement Discussion and Analysis Report, Report on Corporate Governance and Auditors Certificate regardingcompliance of conditions of Corporate Governance provided elsewhere in this Report, forms part of the Directors’Report.
Disclosures with respect to the remuneration of Directors and employees as required under Section 197(12) ofCompanies Act, 2013 and Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel)Rules, 2014 is appended as Annexure - 4 to this Report.
DISCLOSURE UNDER THE SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE (PREVENTION, PROHIBITION ANDREDRESSAL) ACT, 2013
The Company has in place a policy on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace in line with the requirementsof the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. An InternalComplaint Committee has been set up to redress complaints received. All employees (permanent, contractual,temporary, trainees) are covered under this policy. There were no complaints of harassment received from anyof the women employees of the Company during the financial year 2024-25.
The following is the summary of sexual harassment complaints received and disposed of during the year 2024-25:
i. Number of complaints received - Nil
ii. Number of complaints disposed of - NA
As required under Regulation 33(2)(a) of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,2015, the Chairman and Managing Director (Chief Executive Officer) and the Chief Financial Officer have furnishednecessary certificate to the Board on the financial statements presented for the year ended 31st March 2025.
CODE, 2016 DURING THE YEAR
No application has been made and no proceedings are pending against the Company under the Insolvency andBankruptcy Code, 2016.
details of difference between amount of the valuation done at the time of one time settlementand the valuation done while taking loan from the banks or financial institutions along withthe reasons thereof.
The disclosure under this clause is not applicable as the Company has not undertaken any one-time settlementwith the banks or financial institutions.
The Company’s Equity Shares continue to be listed on BSE Limited and the details of listing have been given inthe Corporate Governance Report forming part of this Directors’ Report. We confirm that the Listing fee for theFinancial Year 2025-2026 has been paid to the Stock Exchanges within the stipulated time.
The Board acknowledges the continued support from the Bankers, Cotton, Yarn and Fabric Dealers of the Companyand Shareholders and appreciates the valuable services rendered by the employees at all levels.
May the Goddess Lakshmi continue to shower her choicest Blessings for the prosperity of the Company in theyears to come.
By Order of the BoardFor The Lakshmi Mills Co. Ltd.,
Coimbatore Chairman and Managing Director
28th May, 2025 (DIN 00013899)