TO THE SHAREHOLDERS
1. The Directors have pleasure in presenting their 94th
Annual Report on the business and operations of GKW Limited ("Company") together
with the Audited Financial Statements of the Company for the year ended 31st
March, 2024. The Management Discussion and Analysis also forms part of this Report.
2. FINANCIAL RESULTS
The Financial performance of the Company for the year ended 31st
March, 2024 along with the previous year's performance is summarized below:
Particulars |
2023-2024 |
2022-2023 |
Total Income |
3910.33 |
2069.03 |
Profit before depreciation and Finance Cost |
2022.66 |
1392.55 |
Depreciation and Amortization Expense |
113.32 |
99.59 |
Finance Cost |
0.67 |
1.14 |
Profit before Tax |
1908.67 |
1291.82 |
Tax Expenses |
523.52 |
414.43 |
Profit after tax and before |
1385.15 |
877.39 |
Other Comprehensive Income |
|
|
Other Comprehensive Income (net of tax) for the year |
13632.79 |
(9630.36) |
Total Comprehensive Income for the year |
15017.94 |
(8752.97) |
Total income during the year under review was at 3910.33 lakhs as
against 2069.03 lakhs in the previous year. Profit before tax was at1908.67 lakhs as
compared to 1291.82 lakhs in the previous year.
The increase in total income and profit before tax was mainly owing to
higher rental income and gain in mark to market valuation on mutual funds. Other
Comprehensive Income (OCI) was positive of 13632.79 lakhs mainly due to favourable market
price of equity investments as comparedtonegative9630.36lakhsinthepreviousyear. During
the year under review, there has been no change in the nature of business of the Company.
3. TRANSFER TO RESERVES
No amount has been proposed to be transferred to the reserves for the
year under review.
4. DIVIDEND
No dividend has been recommended for the year under review.
5. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
5.1 Industry Structure and Developments & Segment-wise
Performance
(a) Warehousing business:
During the year under review, the Company's principal business
activity, viz. warehousing business, remained steady and lease rentals increased by 17% to
1116.23 lakhs as compared to 950.86 lakhs in the previous year. The Company incurred
capital expenditure of 406.72 lakhs for refurbishing/re-construction of covered sheds to
facilitate the implementation of new/temporary leases entered into during the year and
also for installation of additional modern transformer capacity, internal roads etc.
The Company is actively pursuing further expansion of the warehousing
area and related infrastructure to develop comprehensive warehousing & logistic hub at
Howrah through out the year under review.
(b) Investment and Treasury :
Investment and Treasury segment generated income of 2760.77 lakhs
during the year under review. This segment includes dividend and interest income of
1255.29 lakhs, MTM valuation of mutual funds/bonds in accordance with Ind AS of 1514.56
lakhs and gain/ (loss) on redemption of mutual Funds and Bonds (net) of 9.08 Lakhs.
The Indian stock market showed phenomenal improvement amidst volatility
from the lows at the end of 2022-23 and the bench mark indices had touched record high in
few occasions during the year under review. However, recent development in escalation in
geopolitical tensions, slowdown in global economic, the stock market is expected to be
sensitive and volatile and the future investment of the company's funds shall depend
on the performance of the Indian economy and the stability in the financial market,
(c) Other Comprehensive Income:
As already stated above, due to favorable fluctuation in market prices
of equity shares resulted in notional gain of 13640 lakhs as compared to notional loss of
9612 lakhs in the previous year. 5.2 Opportunities and Threats
Warehousing and Logistic business provide opportunities for a
sustainable growth-oriented business model for the Company. Your Company is actively
pursuing all opportunities in this segment and will continue to do so in future also.
5.3 Outlook
The uncertainty in the global/domestic economic situation along with
escalation of geopolitical tensions, hardening of crude oil, global inflations, volatile
financial market as stated above, made the future outlook somewhat unpredictable both for
the Warehousing and Investment & Treasury segments of the Company in the short and
medium term. However, we can only hope that the measures being taken by the government
will help to tide over the difficult situation in the shortest possible time.
5.4 Risks and Concerns
Your directors recognize that there are uncertainties and risks
attached to any business. The risks could be external, internal, or a combination of both.
External risks can be an intensification competition, technological obsolescence, changes
in Government policy with regard to taxes and levies or economic slowdown adversely
impacting demand and profitability. In an increasingly globalized economy, world economic
trends would also impact business of the Company. Such risks will be continuously
monitored and appropriate action will be taken by the Company to minimize the same.
Internal risks comprise operating risks, financial risks and business risk. The Company
will take effective steps to deal with such risks
Each business segment has been informed to identify and report
quarterly to the next higher reporting level, on any major risks as perceived by them,
whether they be internal or external risks and simultaneously take immediate steps to
minimize the impact thereof. All aspects of the warehousing and treasury operations are
being closely monitored to identify potential risks at an early stage, in order to ensure
that appropriate risk mitigation measures are put in place.
5.5 Internal Control Systems and Their Adequacy
The Company has adequate internal control system to ensure protection
of assets against loss from unauthorized use or disposal, proper maintenance of accounting
records and adherence to Company's policies and procedures. The Company has appointed
an Internal Auditor to conduct independent audits and submit periodical reports. An Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors reviews the Internal Audit reports, annual financial
statements and internal control systems to ensure their effectiveness and adequacy.
The Committee also interacts with the Internal/ Statutory Auditors from
time to time. Apart from this, audit reports and follow-up actions are periodically
reviewed by the top management and remedial actions taken.
5.6 Discussions on Financial Performance with Respect to Operational
Performance
Total income was higher by 1841.30 lakhs as compared to the previous
year mainly on account of increase in Lease rental of 165.37 lakhs, notional gain on fair
valuation of current investments of 1664.49 lakhs, increase in interest and dividend
income of 23.55 lakhs, offset by lower other income of3.03 lakhs and loss on sale of
unquoted investment of 9.08 lakhs. Depreciation and amortization expenses include
amortization charge on right of use assets of 113.32 lakhs and finance cost of0.67
lakhs.
As in the previous year, the Company had no borrowings as on 31st
March, 2024.
During the year under review, your Company has re-invested a sum of
3228.93 lakhsof mainly by redeploying 1705.93 lakhs from maturity proceeds of fixed
deposits with banks and 1523 lakhs from maturity proceeds of Bonds . Capital Expenditure
for the year amounted to 885.66 lakhs (2022-23: 323.16 lakhs) and value of assets put
into use during the year amounted to 643.66 lakhs (2022-23: 303.41 lakhs).
5.7 Material Developments in Human Resources/Industrial Relation
Front, including Number of People Employed
.
During the year under review industrial relations within the Company,
continued to be stable. The total number of permanent employees was 15 as on 31st
March, 2024. 5.8
Significant changes (i.e. change of 25% or more as compared to the
immediately previous financial year) in key financial ratios, along with explanations are
as under and details of any changes in Return on Net worth as compared to the immediately
previous financial year along with a detailed explanation thereof
The details of the key financial ratios along with the explanation
are provided in note no. 47 of the Financial Statement.
6. DETAILS OF SUBSIDIARIES, JOINT VENTURES AND ASSOCIATE
COMPANIES
The Company does not have any Subsidiary, Joint Venture or is an
Associate Company.
7 MATERIAL CHANGES AND COMMITMENTS
No material changes and commitments which could affect the financial
position of the Company have occurred between the end of the financial year 2023-
24 and date of this Report.
8 DETAILS OF SIGNIFICANT AND MATERIAL ORDERS PASSED BY THE
REGULATORS, COURTS OR TRIBUNALS
No significant/material orders have been passed by the regulators,
courts or tribunals impacting the going concern status and Company's operations of
the Company.
9 INFORMATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 134
9.1 Pursuant to Regulation 92(3) read with Section 134(3) (a) of the
Companies Act, 2013, the draft Annual Return as on 31st March, 2024 is
available on the website of the Company, i.e., www.gkwltd.com. 9.2 The Company has
received declarations from all the Independent Directors confirming that they meet the
criteria of independence as prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (Listing
Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. 9.3 The disclosure pertaining
to remuneration of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and Employees as required under
Section 197(12) of the Act read with Rule 5(1) of the Companies (Appointment and
Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 are provided in Annexure IA to
this report. A Statement as prescribed under Section 197(12) read with Rule 5(2) & (3)
of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is
appended hereto as Annexure IB.
9.4 There are no qualifications/reservations/adverse remarks in the
Auditor's Report and the Secretarial Audit Report for the financial year ended 31 st
March, 2024, calling for any comments or explanations by the Board.
9.5 No frauds have been reported during the financial year under review
by the Auditors of the Company.
9.6 No application has been made or any proceeding is pending against
the Company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code during the year under review. 9.7
There was no instance of one-time settlement of loans from banks or financial
institutions.
9.8 The particulars of investments under section 186 of the Companies
Act, 2013 as at 31st March, 2024 are provided in Note no.6 and 11 to the
Financial Statements. 9.9 The details of contracts or arrangements with related parties
are appended hereto as Annexure II. All
Related Party Transactions entered into during FY 2023-24 were on
arm's length basis and also in the ordinary course of business. Please also refer to
Note no. 42 of the Financial Statements.
9.10 Conservation of Energy
The Company is engaged in warehousing activity and is making judicious
use of energy efficient devices wherever possible. 9.11 Research & Development and
Technology Absorption and Innovation The nature of business activity viz. warehousing
business and investment & treasury operations carried on by the Company does not have
scope for any Research, Development, Technology Absorption and Innovation. However latest
developments in materials and processes pertaining to warehousing activity are constantly
monitored. 9.12 Foreign Exchange Earnings and Outgo
Earnings in foreign exchange during the year was NIL (2022-2023: NIL).
Out-go in foreign exchange during the year was NIL (2022-2023: NIL).
9.13 Evaluation of Board and Directors' Performance
Formal annual evaluation has been made by the Board of its own
performance and that of its Committee, Individual Directors, and Chairman based on
criteria approved by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee/Board. Each Director being
evaluated did not participate in the meeting during the discussions on his/her evaluation.
10 DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to provisions of section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 the
Directors hereby state that: (a) in the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable
accounting standards had been followed along with proper explanation relating to material
departures; (b) the directors had selected such accounting policies and applied them
consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company at the end of the
financial year and of the profit and loss of the company for that period; (c) the
directors had taken proper and care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in
accordance with the provisions of this Act for safeguarding the assets of the company and
for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities; (d) the directors had
prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
(e) the directors had laid down internal financial controls to be
followed by the company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were
operating effectively; and
(f) the directors had devised proper systems to ensure compliance with
the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating
effectively;
11 DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors on the recommendation of Nomination and
Remuneration Committee, re-appointed Mr. Amitabha Chakrabarti (DIN-00137451) as a
Whole-time Director designated as an Executive Director of the Company for a period of one
year w.e.f. 1st April, 2024 to 31st March, 2025 pursuant to the
provision of Sections 196,197,198, 203(1) and Schedule V of the Companies Act, 2013, which
was also approved by the members of the Company by way of Postal Ballot on 24th
March, 2024. Mr. Krishna Kumar Bangur (DIN-00029427) retires by rotation at the ensuing
Annual General Meeting and being eligible has offered himself for-reappointment.
12 STATEMENT OF THE BOARD REGARDING INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
In compliance with the Rule 8 sub-rule 5(iii)(a) of the Companies
(Accounts) Rules, 2014, the Board of Directors opine that the Independent Directors of the
Company possess the integrity, expertise and experience including their proficiency on the
Board.
13. KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
Mr. Amitabha Chakrabarti, is the Whole-time Director designated as the
Executive Director of the Company.
He is also the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.
Mr. Sudhir Kumar Banthiya (FCS:8460) resigned as the Company Secretary
& Compliance Officer of the Company w.e.f. the close of the business hours of 27th
March, 2024. The Board of Directors of the Company on the recommendation of the
Nomination and Remuneration Committee at its meeting held on 23rd May, 2024
appointed Mr. Raju Shaw as the Company Secretary and the Compliance Officer of the Company
w.e.f 23rd May, 2024.
14. AUDITORS STATUTORY AUDITORS
At the 92nd Annual General Meeting held on 5th
August, 2022, M/S Haribhakti & Co. LLP, Chartered Accountants, were appointed as
Statutory Auditors of the Company for a second term of 5 (five) years from the conclusion
of 92nd Annual General Meeting till the conclusion of 97th Annual
General Meeting. The said auditors continue to be eligible as Statutory Auditors of the
Company.
SECRETARIAL AUDITORS
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013
and rules made thereunder; the Board has appointed CS Arup Kumar Roy, Practicing Company
Secretary, as the Secretarial Auditor to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company
for the financial year ended 31st March, 2025.
The Secretarial Audit Report for the year under review is appended
hereto as Annexure III. The Secretarial Audit Report does not contain any
qualification, reservation or adverse remark.
COST AUDITORS
Provisions with regard to the Cost Audit are not applicable to the
Company.
15. COMPOSITION, NUMBER AND DATES OF MEETING OF THE BOARD AND
COMMITTEES
The details of the composition, number and dates of meeting of the
Board and Committees held during the financial year 2023-24 are provided in the Report on
Corporate Governance forming part of this Annual Report. The number of meetings attended
by each
Director during the financial year 2023-24 are also detailed in the
Corporate Governance Report.
All recommendations made by the Audit Committee during the FY 2023-24
were accepted by the Board of Directors of the Company.
16. DEPOSITS
The Company has not accepted any deposits from the public and as
such there are no outstanding deposits in terms of the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits)
Rules, 2014.
17. INVESTOR EDUCATION AND PROTECTION FUND (IEPF)
Mr. Sudhir Kumar Banthiya, the Nodal Officer of the
Company resigned w.e.f. the close of the business hours of 27th
March, 2024. The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 23rd
May, 2024 appointed Mr. Raju Shaw as the Nodal Officer of the Company. The details of
Nodal Officer of the Company are also available on the website www.gkwltd.com.
18. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Company has taken adequate steps to ensure compliance of the
mandatory provisions of Corporate Governance as issued by Securities and Exchange Board of
India from time to time. A report on Corporate Governance forms part of this Annual
Report.
19 BUSINESSRESPONSIBILITYANDSUSTAINABILITY REPORT
The Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report("BRSR")
covering disclosures on Company's performance on ESG (Environment, Social and
Governance) parameters is not applicable to the Company.
20. VARIOUS POLICIES OF THE COMPANY
20.1 Policy on Related Party Transactions
The Company has implemented Policy on Related Party Transactions. The
policy is available on the website of the Company (https://gkwltd.com/investor-relation/).
20.2 Policy on Director's Remuneration and KMP
In terms of the requirement of Section 178 of the Companies Act, 2013,
on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the Board has approved
the Nomination and Remuneration Policy (hereinafter referred as "Policy') of the
Company. The policy is available on the website of the Company
(https://gkwltd.com/investor-relation/).
The salient features of the policy are as detailed in the Corporate
Governance Report forming part of this Annual Report.
20.3 Corporate Social Responsibility Policy
Due to carried forward losses as computed under Section 198 of the
Companies Act 2013, the CSR provisions are not currently applicable to your Company. The
CSR Policy is available on the website of the Company
(https://gkwltd.com/investor-relation/).
20.4 Vigil Mechanism
The Company has a Vigil Mechanism/Whistle Blower Policy to deal with
instances of fraud and mismanagement if any. The policy provides for adequate safeguards
against victimization of employees and/or Directors and also provides for direct access to
the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Policy is uploaded on the website of the Company
(https://gkwltd.com/investor-relation/).
21. PARTICULARS AS PER SEXUAL HARASSMENT OF WOMEN AT WORKPLACE
(PREVENTION PROHIBITION,
AND REDRESSAL) ACT, 2013
Your Directors state that during the year under review, there were
no reported cases falling within the purview of the Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and no cases were pending to
be disposed off. The
Company has complied with provisions relating to the constitution of
the Internal Complaint Committee under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.
22. APPLICABILITY OF SECRETARIAL STANDARDS The Company has complied
with the applicable Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries
of India.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Board of Directors would like to thank the Company's
customers, employees, shareholders, bankers, financial advisors, suppliers and all others
associated with the Company for their continued support.