To
The Members
Your Directors are pleased to present the 44th Annual Report
together with Audited Financial Statements of the Company for the financial year ended 31st
March, 2024.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
The financial performance of the Company is summarized below:
(Rs In crore)
Particulars |
Consolidated |
Standalone |
|
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
Revenue from Operations |
10,403 |
11,349 |
7,268 |
8,561 |
Other Income |
286 |
140 |
244 |
125 |
Operating Profit (EBITDA) |
1,470 |
2,139 |
1,436 |
2,151 |
Less: (i) Finance Cost |
291 |
211 |
231 |
163 |
(ii) Depreciation &Amortization Exp. |
582 |
664 |
266 |
375 |
Profit Before Tax |
597 |
1,264 |
939 |
1,613 |
Less: Total Tax Expenses |
300 |
355 |
257 |
415 |
Profit for the year |
297 |
909 |
682 |
1,198 |
DIVIDEND
With an objective to strengthen resources of the Company and for long
term prospects, your Directors have decided not to recommend any dividend on shares for
the year ended 31st March, 2024.
During the year under review, the Company has transferred a sum of
Rs29.32 crore to the Debenture Redemption Reserve.
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Consolidated financial performance:
On Consolidated basis, your Company has registered revenue from
operations of Rs10,403 crore for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024 as
against Rs11,349 crore in previous year, marginally reduced by 8% compared to the previous
year. Consolidated Earnings before Finance Cost, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortisation
(EBITDA) stood at Rs1,470 crore in FY 2023-24. After providing for taxation of Rs300
crore, your Company registered Net profit of Rs297 crore during the year under review
compared to Rs909 crore of previous year.
The Net Worth of the Company on a consolidated basis stood at Rs9,504
crore as on 31st March, 2024.
Standalone financial performance:
Your Company's revenue from operations for FY 2023-24 was Rs7,268
crore, decrease by 15% compared to Rs8,561 crore of previous year, mainly due to reduction
in price of soda ash, caustic soda. Standalone EBIDTA stood at Rs1,436 crore during the
year under review, lowered by 33% compared to ^2151 of previous year. Your company
registered a Net Profit of Rs682 crore for FY 2023-24.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Your Company has a diversified business profile with presence across
Industrial chemicals business which includes soda ash, caustic soda, linear alkyl benzene
(LAB), salt, bromine and phosphoric acid, while consumer business includes soaps,
detergents and edible salt. It has diversified revenue profile and geographical presence
with capacities in India and USA., having production facilities in Bhavnagar for soda ash,
caustic soda, purified phosphoric acid, bromine, salt and toilet soap, Porbandar for soda
ash, Alindra for LAB and Mandali & Moraiya for detergent and soaps. It has soda ash
operations in the USA at Searles Valley Minerals Inc, through its wholly-owned subsidiary,
Karnavati Holdings Inc.
Industrial Chemical Business:
Soda ash, Caustic soda and LAB: Your Company is one of the largest
producer of soda ash and also a leading producer of caustic soda. Since November 2007, the
company thru its wholly owned subsidiary has also been operating in the US natural soda
ash market after acquiring Searles Valley Minerals (SVM). Combining the US soda ash
business, it is among the top seven soda ash producers globally, producing both synthetic
and natural soda ash. The industrial chemicals business benefits from economies of scale,
captive raw material linkages, integrated operations and logistics efficiencies.
As Soda ash, caustic soda and LAB, are inclined to global commodity
dynamics, the company's profitability also partially exposed to global prices,
demand-supply fluctuations and also forex fluctuations. However your Company has built
established market position in this segment. The Company has also strengthened and
established market position in Alkali Chemicals coupled with various cost initiatives that
helped the Company in earning better profit margins. The standalone revenue from Soda ash,
LAB, caustic soda registered at Rs3014 crore, Rs967 crore and Rs631 crore respectively
during the year under review.
Other Chemicals: Your Company's operations are further backward
integrated to manufacture n-paraffins and other chemicals too. Additionally, the company
produces phosphoric acid, which along with bromine, uses chlorine as a by-product
extracted while manufacturing caustic soda. It also manufactures various other chemicals
and fertilizer products. These products helped to strengthen the operations of the
Company.
Processed Minerals: This business segment constitutes the
Company's operations in USA through its subsidiary, which manufactures a range of
processed minerals such as Boron, Natural Soda Ash and others.
Consumer Business:
Soaps & Detergents: Your Company is a leading soaps and detergents
player with a strong brand and market leadership in the economy segment, having vast
distribution network. The Company's focus is on economy segment exposes it to
competition from unorganized players. However, this is mitigated to an extent by the
integrated nature of business, captive raw material supplies and benefits arising from a
diversified business model, which ensures timely and adequate supply and facilitates
greater control over quality and raw material cost. The Company has integrated operations
with soda ash and LAB used in the manufacturing of soaps and detergents. The standalone
revenue from Soaps and Detergent registered at ^ 1801 crore, during the year under review.
Edible Salt: Your Company is the second largest player in the edible
salt business in the country with large and automated salt pans in Gujarat, which provide
a steady supply of salt for soda ash production. The company has strong raw material
linkages with 100% captive salt available for producing soda ash and caustic soda,
limestone sourced both in-house and through imports, and power from captive power plants.
The revenue from Salt registered at Rs438 crore during the year backed by strong demand
for the product.
Utilities: Power and Fuel are one of the key inputs for the various
products manufactured by the Company. The Company has the flexibility to utilize a variety
of fuels from 3400 GCV to 8500 GCV and is optimizing the fuel mix strategy to its full
advantage. Your Company has power generation facilities with present installed capacity of
more than 237 MW.
The strength from Company's strong business profile, considering
its strong market positions within key product segments and diversified product profile
with integrated operations.
ACQUISITION OF GLENMARK LIFE SCIENCES LIMITED
During the year under review your Company has successfully acquired
Glenmark Life Sciences Ltd ("GLS") under SEBI (Substantial Acquisition of Shares
and Takeovers) Regulations, 2011, as amended from time to time. For that, your Company
entered into a definitive agreement with Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited and GLS in
September 2023 to obtain a 75% stake in GLS.
In pursuance to the approval granted by Securities and Exchange Board
of India by way of final observation on February 2, 2024, the open offer was made by the
Company to the Public Shareholders of GLS to acquire up to 2,12,77,736 Equity Shares of
Rs2/- each constituting 17.33% of the Voting Share Capital of GLS at a price of Rs631.20
per share. The open offer was opened on February 15, 2024 and closed on February 29, 2024.
The Company acquired 906 shares on March 5, 2024,@ Rs631.20 per share, on completion of an
open offer. In addition, 6,73,89,944 equity shares being 55% of share capital of GLS and
2,45,05,435 equity shares being 20% of share capital of GLS were acquired / credited on
March 6, 2024 and March 12, 2024 respectively, pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement
from Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. The Company has acquired control over GLS and has
become Promoter and holding Company of GLS from March 6, 2024.
GLS manufactures select, high-value, non-commoditised, APIs in
therapyareas such as cardiovascular, central nervous system, pain management and diabetes.
The company also provides contract development and manufacturing organisation services to
a range of multinational and speciality pharmaceutical companies. It supplies its products
to customers in India, Europe, North America, Latin America, Japan and the rest of the
world. The company has four manufacturing facilities located in Ankleshwar, Dahej, Mohol
and Kurkumbh.
The acquisition will strengthen Nirma's business profile by
enhancing diversification with an additional stream of pharmaceutical revenue.
FINANCE
Your Company has a strong financial flexibility with a diversified mix
of bankers and access to debt markets. The Company continuously focuses on effective
planning towards the timely availability of finance at competitive rates, which
contributes to its growth of the business. The Company has funded its requirements through
a mix of internal cash accruals, short term and long term borrowings.
During the year under review, your Company has:
Raised funds by issue of 3,50,000 Secured Listed Rated
Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs Series VII) in three Tranches on private
placement basis, aggregating to Rs3500 crore for acquisition of shares of Glenmark Life
Sciences Limited.
Raised Term Loan from four Banks aggregating to Rs2000 crore
mainly for reimbursement of CAPEX of the Company, re-financing of existing debt, general
corporate purpose and shoring up for net working capital.
Raised short term funds by issuing Commercial Papers as and when
required.
Redeemed 3100, 7.75% Secured, Rated, Listed, Redeemable
Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs Series V) aggregating to Rs310 crore, on 2nd
June, 2023, on maturity.
Redeemed 1000, 7.59% Unsecured, Rated, Listed, Non-Convertible
Debentures (NCDs Series VI) aggregating to Rs100 crore, on 5th January, 2024,
on maturity.
Prepaid existing outstanding term loans of Rs498 crore of three
Banks.
The Working Capital Consortium was reconstituted with induction
of HDFC Bank Limited and Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited and exit of Citi Bank, BNP Paribas
Bank, Union Bank of India (erstwhile Corporation Bank) for aggregate working capital
facilities of Rs1900 crore with reconstituted Bank of Baroda consortium comprising eight
member banks. The company was able to contain interest costs through the competitive
sourcing of working capital borrowings.
During the year under review CRISIL and India Ratings & Research
has assigned its rating as AA/stable for issue of Non-Convertible Debentures by the
Company.
As at 31st March, 2024, the credit ratings assigned to the
Company for its borrowings including debt securities are:
secured listed NCDs Series VII: CRISIL AA/Stable and IND
AA/Stable
long term banking facilities : CRISIL AA/Stable and ICRA
AA/watch with Developing implications (withdrawn rating of ICRA after closure of financial
year under review, on repayment of facilities)
short term rating : CRISILA1+ and ICRAA1 +
MATERIAL CHANGES
There are no material changes and commitments affecting the financial
position of the Company which have occurred between the end of the financial year 2023-24
and the date of this report.
SUBSIDIARIES, ASSOCIATE COMPANIES AND JOINT VENTURE
During the year, Glenmark Life Sciences Limited became subsidiary of
the Company w.e.f. 6th March, 2024 consequent upon acquisition of its equity
capital aggregating to seventy five percentage.
As on 31st March, 2024, the Company has one Wholly Owned
Subsidiary with four step down wholly owned subsidiaries overseas and one Subsidiary in
India.
Karnavati Holdings Inc. ("KHI"), USA (WOS of the Company),
Searles Valley Minerals Inc. ("SVM"), USA (WOS of KHI) and Searles Domestic
Water Company LLC, Trona Railway Company LLC & Searles Valley Minerals Europe (WOS of
SVM), continued to be step down subsidiaries of the Company.
The highlights of performance of subsidiaries of the Company in the
form of contribution of each of the subsidiaries and associates in terms of the revenue
and profit is provided in Form AOC-1, which forms part of the Annual Report in terms of
Section 129(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act"). Further, pursuant to the
provisions of Section 136 of the Act, the financial statements of the Company,
consolidated financial statements along with other documents required to be attached
thereto are available on the website of the Company.
SHARE CAPITAL
As at 31st March, 2024, the paid up Equity Share Capital of
the Company is Rs73.04 crore comprising of 14,60,75,130 Equity Shares of Rs5/- each.
During the year under review, the Company has not issued shares or convertible securities
or shares with differential voting rights nor has granted any stock options or sweat
equity or warrants.
During the year, the authorised capital clause of the Company has been
altered by reclassification and consolidation of several classes of Preference Shares
capital of the Company, in pursuance to approval given by the members of the Company at
the Annual General Meeting held on 15th September, 2023.
DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
Based on the recommendation of Nomination and Remuneration Committee
("NRC") and the approval of the Board of Directors of the Company, the members
at their annual general meeting held on 15th September, 2023 approved:
Appointment of Shri Kaushikbhai Nandubhai Patel (DIN 00145086)
and Smt. Tejalben A. Mehta (DIN 10125072) as Independent Directors of the Company for the
first term of five years effective from 31st March, 2023 and 18th
May, 2023 respectively;
Re-appointment of Shri Shailesh V. Sonara (DIN 06592025) as a
Whole Time Director designated as Director (Environment & Safety) of the Company for a
period of 5 years, with effect from 1st July 2023.
In the opinion of the Board, the Independent Directors appointed during
the year possess requisite expertise, integrity and experience (out of two Independent
Directors, one Director is not required to give online proficiency test and other Director
shall comply with the provisions within the prescribed time frame) for such appointment.
As per the provisions of Section 152 of the Act, Shri Hiren K. Patel
(DIN 00145149), Director of the Company is liable to retire by rotation at the forthcoming
Annual General Meeting and being eligible, offer himself for re- appointment. The Board
recommends his re-appointment.
The Company has received declarations from all the Independent
Directors that they meet the criteria of independence as laid down under Section 149(6) of
the Act and SEBI (LODR) Regulations 2015. Based on the declarations, the Board confirms
that the Independent Directors fulfill the conditions of independence specified in Section
149(6) of the Act and SEBI LODR Regulations. The Independent Directors have registered
themselves with the Independent Director's Database maintained by the Indian
Institute of Corporate Affairs in terms of Section 150 of the Act read with Rule 6 of the
Companies (Appointment & Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014.
None of the Directors of the Company are disqualified for being
appointed as Directors as specified under Section 164(2) of the Act read with Rule 14(1)
of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014.
There has been no change in Key Managerial Personnel during the year
under review. In terms of the provisions of Section 2(51) and Section 203 of the Act, Shri
Hiren K. Patel, Managing Director, Shri Shailesh V. Sonara, Whole time Director, Shri
Manan Shah, Chief Financial Officer and Shri Paresh Sheth, Company Secretary of the
Company are the Key Managerial personnel of the Company.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 134(3c) read with Section 134(5) of the Act, your
Directors state that:
a) in the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting
standards have been followed along with proper explanation relating to material departures
for the year ended 31st March, 2024;
b) the directors have 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 of the company for that period;
c) the directors have taken proper and sufficient 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 have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern
basis;
e) the directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with
the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating
effectively.
NUMBER OF MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
During the year under review six meetings of Board of Directors were
held on 25th May, 2023, 20th June, 2023, 8th August,
2023, 21st September, 2023, 26th October, 2023 and 2nd
February, 2024. The gap between two meetings did not exceed one hundred and twenty days.
COMMITTEES
The Board Committees are set up under the formal approval of the Board
to carry out clearly defined roles as mandated under the Act. As at 31st March,
2024, your Company has the following Committees to deal specific areas and activities:
i) Audit Committee
ii) Nomination and Remuneration Committee
iii) Corporate Social Responsibility Committee
iv) Investment Committee
v) Committee of Directors
The Committees make informed decisions in line with the delegated
authority. The minutes of the Committee Meetings were placed before the Board for review
and noting.
Audit Committee:
Shri Kaushikbhai N. Patel, Independent Director has been appointed as
Chairman of the Audit Committee and Smt. Tejalben A. Mehta, Independent Director has been
appointed as a member of the Audit Committee, both effective from 18th May,
2023. As at 31st March, 2024 the Company's Audit committee comprised of:
(i) Shri Kaushikbhai N. Patel, Independent Director as Chairman
(ii) Smt. Tejalben A. Mehta, Independent Director as Member, and
(iii) Shri Shailesh V. Sonara, Whole time Director as Member.
The Board framed the Audit Committee for the purpose of effective
compliance of the provisions of Section 177 of the Act. The brief terms of reference are:
examination of the financial statements and auditors report
thereon;
review and monitor auditors independence and performance, and
effectiveness of audit process;
recommendation for appointment, remuneration of auditors;
scrutiny of inter-corporate loans and investments;
review compliance with the provisions of SEBI (Prohibition of
Insider Trading) Regulations;
approval or any subsequent modification of transactions with
related parties;
evaluation of internal financial controls and risk management
system.
During the year under review, five meetings of the Audit Committee were
held on 25th May, 2023, 8th August, 2023, 26th October,
2023, 2nd February, 2024 and 18th March, 2024 and requisite quorum
was present at all the meetings. The intervening gap between two meetings did not exceed
one hundred and twenty days. The Chairman of the Audit Committee attended the last Annual
General Meeting held on 15th September, 2023 to answer shareholders'
queries.
All the recommendations made by the Audit Committee during the year
under review were accepted by the Board. There was no instance of fraud which required the
Statutory Auditors to report to the Audit Committee and / or Board under Section 143(12)
of the Act and Rules framed thereunder, during the year.
Nomination and Remuneration Committee:
Shri Rakesh K. Patel, Vice Chairman (Non-executive Director) and Smt.
Tejalben A. Mehta, Independent Director have been appointed as a member of the Nomination
and Remuneration Committee ("NRC"), both effective from 18th May,
2023. As at 31st March, 2024 the Company's N RC comprised of:
(i) Shri Kaushikbhai N. Patel, Independent Director as Chairman
(ii) Shri Rakesh K. Patel, Vice Chairman (Non-executive Director) as
Member, and
(iii) Smt. Tejalben A. Mehta, Independent Director as Member.
The Board framed the NRS for the purpose of effective compliance of the
provisions of Section 178 of the Act. The brief terms of reference are:
to formulate criteria for determining qualifications, positive
attributes and independence of a Director;
to identify persons who are qualified to become Directors and
who may be appointed in Senior Management and to recommend to the Board their appointment
/removal.
to specify the manner for effective evaluation of performance of
Board, its committees and individual directors.
The salient features of the Nomination and Remuneration Policy and
changes therein:
The Company's Nomination and Remuneration Policy had been
formulated and maintained inter alia to meet the objectives:
to ensure that level and composition of remuneration is
reasonable and sufficient to attract and motivate Directors, Key Managerial Personnel;
to ensure balance between fixed and incentive pay for
remuneration to Directors, key managerial personnel and senior management, reflecting
short and long-term performance objectives appropriate to the working of the company and
its goals.
The salient features of the policy inter alia include:
to formulate criteria for identification of persons to become
director including qualifications, positive attributes and independence and to recommend
their appointment;
to approve and recommend term and Tenure for Managing Director,
Whole Time Directors and Independent Directors;
To identify persons who may be appointed in senior management
& recommend their appointment;
to recommend policy relating to remuneration of Directors, Key
Managerial Personnel and Other Employees.
During the year under review, one meeting of NRC was held on 20th
June, 2023. The Nomination and Remuneration Policy of the Company is available on the
website of the Company viz. www.nirma.co.in.
Corporate Social Responsibility Committee
Shri Kaushikbhai N. Patel, Independent Director has been appointed as a
member of the Corporate Social Responsibility Committee ("CSR Committee"),
effective from 18th May, 2023. As at 31st March, 2024 the
Company's CSR Committee comprised of:
(i) Shri K. K. Patel, as Chairman;
(ii) Shri Kaushikbhai N. Patel, Independent Director as member; and
(iii) Shri Hiren K. Patel, Managing Director as member.
During the year under review, two meetings of CSR Committee were held
on 25th May, 2023 and 2nd February, 2024.
Investment Committee
The Board has constituted "Investment Committee of Directors"
entrusted with clearly defined roles and powers with specified limits mainly relating to
borrow / invest funds, to grant / avail loan, to provide security, to give authority under
various statutes etc. As at 31st March, 2024 the Committee of:
(i) Shri Rakesh K. Patel,
(ii) Shri Hiren K. Patel,
(iii) Shri Shailesh V. Sonara and
(iv) Shri Kaushikbhai N. Patel
Seven meetings of the Investment Committee were held on 26th
April, 2023, 8th May, 2023, 20th May, 2023, 27th
November, 2023, 27th December, 2023, 12th February, 2024 and 22nd
February, 2024 during the year under review.
Committee of Directors
The Board, at its meeting held on 21st September, 2023,
constituted the Committee of Directors comprises of three members, Shri Hiren K. Patel,
Shri Kaushikbhai N. Patel and Smt. Tejalben A. Mehta, with a majority of Independent
Directors with specific terms of reference pertaining to acquisition of GLS and mater
incidental thereto.
Two meetings of the Committee of Directors were held on 2nd
November, 2023 and 23rd February, 2024 during the year under review.
EVALUATION
The Company has well defined framework for performance evaluation of
the Board, its Committees, and individual Directors including Independent Directors and
Chairman ("Evaluation"), in compliance with Sections 134 and 178 of the Act and
Nomination and Remuneration Policy of the Company. In pursuance to the authorization given
by the Board, the NRC of the Company has carried out an annual performance Evaluation.
The exercise of Evaluation was carried out through a structured
questionnaire prepared after taking into consideration inputs received from the Directors,
covering various aspects pertaining to structure and functioning of the Board and its
committees, level of independence and management of the Board, fulfillment of function and
duties assigned to the committees, effective contributions at the meetings, independence
of judgment.
The Independent Directors of the Company met on 18th March,
2024, without the attendance of Non- Independent Directors and members of the management
to review the performance of the Board, committees, chairman and executive directors of
the Company and to assess the quality, quantity and timeliness of flow of information
between the management and the board of directors.
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION, FOREIGN EXCHANGE
EARNINGS ANDOUTGO
The information on conservation of energy, technology absorption and
foreign exchange earnings and outgo stipulated under Section 134(3)(m) of the Act, read
with Rule 8 (3) of The Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is annexed to this Report as
Annexure - I and forms part of this Report.
AUDITOR & AUDITORS' REPORT
M/s. Hemanshu Shah & Co., Chartered Accountants, (Firm registration
no. 122439W), were appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company to hold Office for a
period of five years from the conclusion of 42nd AGM with respect to financial
year 2022-23 till the conclusion of the 47th AGM, in pursuance to the
provisions of Section 139 of the Act, read with rules made thereunder.
The Notes to the financial statements referred in the Auditors'
Report are self-explanatory. There are no qualifications or reservations or adverse
remarks or disclaimers given by Statutory Auditors of the Company and therefore do not
call for any comments under Section 134 of the Act. The Auditors' Report is enclosed
with the financial statements in this Annual Report.
SECRETARIAL AUDITOR & AUDIT REPORT
In pursuance to the provisions of section 204 of the Act read with
Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, M/s Kashyap
R. Mehta & Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries (Firm Registration No.
S2011GJ166500) was appointed by the Board to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the
Company for the financial year 2023-24. The Secretarial Audit Report is annexed as
Annexure - II and forms an integral part of this report. There are no qualifications,
reservations or adverse remarks given by the Secretarial Auditor in their report.
COST AUDITOR
In pursuance to provisions of section 148 of the Act read with the
Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014 as amended from time to time, your Company
is required to maintain cost records and accordingly it has made and maintained such
accounts and records. The cost records maintained by the Company are required to be
audited by the Cost Auditor. Your Company has appointed M/s. B. Desai & Co., Cost
Accountants (Partnership Firm Registration no. 005431) to conduct audit of cost records
for the financial year ending 31st March, 2025.
The resolution pertaining to remuneration payable to the Cost Auditors
as may be approved by the Board, shall forms part of the notice convening the Annual
General Meeting for ratification by members as required under the Act and rules made
thereunder.
EXTRACT OFANNUALRETURN
Pursuant to Section 92(3) of the Act read with the applicable Rules
framed thereunder, the Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2024 can be
accessed on the Company's website www.nirma.co.in.
PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES
As per the provisions of the Act, your Company is not listed Company,
since only debt securities of the Company are listed. The disclosure as required under
section 197 (12) of the Act, read with Rules 5 of the Companies (Appointment and
Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 pertaining to particulars of employees
and remuneration are not applicable to the Company for the year under review.
SECRETARIAL STANDARD
During the year 2023-24, the Company has complied with the all
applicable Secretarial Standards issued by the I nstitute of Company Secretaries of I
ndia.
VIGIL MECHANISM
In pursuance to provisions of section 177 of the Act, the Company has
in place Vigil Mechanism and also adopted Whistle Blower Policy as part of it under SEBI
LODR and SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 available on the
Company's website, to provide a formal mechanism to the Directors' and employees
to report their genuine concerns or grievances about unethical behaviour, serious
misconduct or wrongful activities and fraud and instances of leak of unpublished price
sensitive information.
The vigil mechanism of your Company provides for adequate safeguards
against victimization of directors and employees who avail of the mechanism and also
provides for direct access to the management or to the Chairman of the Audit Committee in
appropriate or exceptional cases. The Audit Committee of your Company oversees the
functioning of Vigil Mechanism. No complaint was reported under said mechanism during the
year 2023-24.
In compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, Internal Complaints Committees have
been set up by the Company to redress any complaints received related to sexual harassment
of women at the workplace. No complaint was reported during the year2023-24.
PARTICULARS OF LOANS, GUARANTEES OR INVESTMENTS BY THE COMPANY
In pursuance to the provisions of section 186 of the Act, particulars
of Loans given, Investments made and Guarantees given or security provided, are given in
the notes to Financial Statements.
RELATED PARTY TRANSANCTIONS
All related party transactions entered into during the financial year
were on an arm's length basis. The Audit Committee approves the related party
transactions in compliance with the provisions of the Act and gives prior Omnibus approval
on a yearly basis for the related party transactions which are foreseeable and repetitive
in nature under the authorized by the Board. Other Related Party Transactions were placed
before the Audit Committee for review & approval and also before the Board for
approval, wherever required.
Statement giving details of all related party transactions during the
year 2023-24 were placed before the Audit Committee and the Board on a quarterly basis for
review and noting. The details of related party transactions as are required under Indian
Accounting Standard-24 are set out in the notes to the financial statements.
During the year under review, your Company had not entered into any
transactions with related parties which could be considered material in terms of Section
188(1) of the Act read with Rule 15(3) of the Companies
(Meetings of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014. Accordingly, the
disclosure of related party transactions as required under Section 134(3)(h) of the
Companies Act, 2013 in Form AOC - 2 is not applicable.
RISK MANAGEMENT & INTERNAL CONTROL
Your Company ensures risk management through robust framework in place.
This framework enables identification of risk and opportunities, assessment of risk,
mitigation planning and actions. Key risk indicators and control indicators are used to
anticipate risks and assess effectiveness of their mitigation actions respectively. The
functional head across the organization identifies the probable risks in their area of
operation that affect the achievement of its objectives and such risks are assessed and
responded appropriately under the framework. The Audit Committee has additional oversight
in the area of financial risks and controls. The Company has adequately insured its assets
against various risks.
Your Company has, in all material aspects, an adequate internal
financial controls system put in place to ensure proper internal controls over financial
reporting. Internal financial control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements and compliance with applicable accounting standards.
Apart from this, a well-defined system of internal audit is in place so
as to independently review and strengthen these internal controls. The recommendations for
strengthening internal control based on the observations made by internal audit department
are reviewed by the Audit Committee on periodical basis and recommends steps for further
improvement of the internal controls.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The CSR activities during the year were under the thrust areas of
promoting healthcare, education, making available safe drinking water, animal welfare,
rural development, disaster management etc. The annual report on CSR activities for the
financial year ended 31st March, 2024 is set out in Annexure - III and forms an
integral part of this report. The CSR Policy of the Company is available on the website of
the Company at www.nirma.co.in.
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT
The Consolidated Financial Statements has been prepared in accordance
with applicable Indian Accounting Standards and forms an integral part of this Report.
In pursuance to Section 129(3) of the Act read with rules framed
thereunder and relevant Indian Accounting Standards as applicable, the Company has
prepared its Consolidated Financial Statements with its subsidiaries which form part of
this Annual Report.
DEPOSITS
During the year under review, your Company has not accepted any Deposit
in pursuance to the provisions of Section 73 / 76 of the Act. No amount was outstanding
towards unclaimed deposit as on 31st March, 2024.
However, the Company has received a loan of Rs43.70 crore from relative
of Promoter who are Directors, from time to time during the year @ 8% interest p.a. to
meet the timely business requirements of the Company. They have furnished a declaration in
writing to the effect that the amount was not been given out of funds acquired by them by
borrowing or accepting loan or deposits from others.
GENERAL DISCLOSURES
Your Directors states that during the year under review:
1. the disclosures have been made in this report for the items as
prescribed in section 134(3) of the Act and rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014
to the extent applicable and transactions took place on those items during the year under
review;
2. no application has been made or any proceeding pending against the
Company under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016);
3. no significant and material orders passed by the regulators or
courts or tribunals impacting the going concern status of the Company and its operations
in future;
4. no instances where the Company required the valuation for one-time
settlement or while taking the loan from the Banks or Financial institutions.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Your Directors take this opportunity to express gratitude for the
support and co-operation extended by all stake holders of the Company and look forward to
their continued support in the future. Your Directors are pleased to place on record their
appreciation for the support extended by Government and statutory authorities. Your
Directors wish to place on record their appreciation for employees at all levels for their
dedicated efforts and consistent contribution during the year.
|
For and on behalf of the Board |
Place: Ahmedabad |
Dr. K. K. Patel |
Date: 20th May, 2024 |
(DIN 00404099) |
|
Chairman |