To the Members,
The Directors present this Annual Report of Pioneer Agro Extracts
Limited ("the Company" or "Pioneer") along with the audited financial
statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2024.
The performance of the company has been referred to wherever required.
The Director's Report details are as below:
1. FINANCIAL RESULTS
Particular |
Financial
Year |
Financial
Year |
|
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
|
(FY 2024) |
(FY 2023) |
Revenue of operation |
103.94 |
169.69 |
Other Income |
41.18 |
36.76 |
Total Income |
145.12 |
206.45 |
Expenses |
|
|
Operating Expenditure |
150.14 |
196.28 |
Depreciation and amortization
expense |
1.88 |
2.73 |
Total expense |
152.02 |
199.01 |
Profit before finance cost,
exceptional item and tax |
-6.89 |
7.53 |
Finance cost |
0.01 |
0.09 |
Profit Before Tax |
-6.90 |
7.44 |
Tax Expense |
0.33 |
0.26 |
Profit of the Year |
-7.23 |
7.18 |
2. COMPANY'S PERFORMANCE REVIEW During the financial
year 2023-24:
? During the financial year 2023-24, revenue from
operations on standalone basis reduced to INR 103.94 Lakhs as against INR
169.96 Lakhs in the previous year; ? Other income is increased to INR 41.18
Lakhs as against INR 36.76 Lakhs in the previous year- a profit of 10.73%; ? Profit
after tax for the current year is INR -7.23 Lakhs against INR 7.18 Lakhs
in the previous year.
3. TRANSFER TO RESERVE
During the year under review, there was no amount transferred to any of
the reserves by the Company.
4. SECRETARIAL STANDARDS
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 118 of the Companies Act,
2013, the Company has complied with the applicable provisions of secretarial
standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.
5. DIVIDEND
During the year under review, the Company has not carried on any
business activity and as a result of which, the Board of Directors have not recommended
any dividend on the equity share capital. The Company wants to conserve the resources of
the company.
6. SHARE CAPITAL
The Company has issued and subscribed capital of Rs. 439.79 in lacs
(divided into 43,97,900 equity shares of Rs. 10 each, out of which 43,32,300 shares of Rs.
10 are fully paid up and 65,600 shares are paid up to the tune of Rs.4 eachand thus
forfeited by the company. Therefore the paid-up Capital of the Company stands at Rs.
435.85(lacs).
7. DEPOSIT
During the financial year 2023-24, the Company has not accepted any
deposit within the meaning of Sections 73 and 74 of the Companies Act, 2013
read together with the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014.
8. RBI Guidelines
The Company continues to comply with all the requirements prescribed by
the Reserve Bank of India from time to time.
9. CONVERSION, NAME CHANGE OF COMPANY & NATURE OF
BUSINESS
? During the financial year, your company hasn't changed its name;
? During the year under the review, there was no change in the nature
of business of the Company.
10. DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
During the year, the Members approved the following appointment and
re-appointment of Directors:
? Mr. Jagat Mohan Aggarwal (DIN: 00750120) was re-appointed as director
liable to retire by rotation at the Annual General Meeting held on September 30, 2023. ?
Other than above, there is no change in the directorship of the Company.
Details of Directors proposed to be appointment and re-appointment at
the ensuing Annual General Meeting are as follows:
? Mr. Narinder Kumar (DIN: 10728376), is proposed to be appointed as
Non-Executive Independent Directors of the Company, pursuant to the provisions of Section
149 of the Companies Act, 2013 and rules made thereunder and SEBI
(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015
(Hereinafter referred as "Listing Regulations") at the ensuing Annual General
Meeting for the first term of five years commencing from October 01, 2024.
? At the ensuing Annual General Meeting, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Kohli
(DIN:07144225), Non-Executive Director of the Company is liable to retire by rotation in
accordance with the provisions of Section 152 of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the
Articles of Association of the Company and being eligible, offers himself for
reappointment as director of the Company.
The brief profiles of Mr. Narinder Kumar and Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Kohli
forms part of the Corporate Governance Report and the notice of the ensuing Annual General
Meeting of the Company.
Details of the Directors whose appointment is proposed to be ceased
after closure of financial year:
? Board of directors in their meeting held on 14th August,
2024 took the note of cessation of Mr. Rajinder Kumar Uppal (DIN: 06879625) from the post
of Independent director of the company upon completion of his second and final term of
five years as an Independent Director w.e.f. the close of business hours on 30th
September, 2024.
No director of the Company is disqualified as per the provisions of
Section 164(2) of the Companies Act, 2013. The directors of the Company have made
necessary disclosures, as required under various provisions of the Companies
Act, 2013 (Hereinafter referred as "the Act") and the Listing
Regulations.
On the basis of the declarations submitted by the Independent Director
of the Company, the Board of Directors have opined that the Independent Director of the
Company fulfill the required criteria as defined under Section 149(6) of the Act and the
Listing Regulations.
11. DECLARATION OF DIRECTOR'S INDEPENDENCE
The Company has received the following declarations from all the
Independent Directors confirming that:
? They meet the criteria of independence as prescribed under the
provisions of the Act, read with the schedules and rules issued thereunder, as well as of
Regulation 16 of the Listing regulations;
? In terms of Regulation 25(8) of the Listing Regulations, they are not
aware of any circumstance or situation, which exist or may be reasonably anticipated; they
could impair or impact their ability to discharge their duties.
In terms of Regulation 25(9) of the Listing Regulations, the Board of
Directors has ensured the veracity of the disclosures made under Regulation 25(8) of the
Listing Regulations by the Independent Directors of the Company.
12. REMUNERATION OF DIRECTORS, KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL'S AND
SENIOR MANAGEMENT
The remuneration paid to the Directors, Key Managerial Personnel's
and Senior Management is in accordance with the
Nomination and Remuneration policy formulated in accordance with
Section178 of the Act and Regulation 19 of the Listing Regulations.
13. NUMBER OF MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
5(Five) meetings of the Board of Directors were held during the
financial year 2023-24. The details of the meetings of the Board of
Directors of the Company convened during the financial year 2023-24 are
given in the Corporate Governance Report which forms part of this Report.
14. COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
Pursuant to Section 135, Section 177, Section 178 and Rule 6 of the
Companies (Meeting of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014, Secretarial Standard 1 and SEBI
(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 the Board has
Constituted three committees: the audit committee, the nomination and remuneration
committee and the stakeholder's relationship Committee.
A detailed note on the composition of the Board and its
committee's with other details regarding all the Committees are provided in theCorporate
Governance Report which is a part of this report.
15. NOMINATION AND REMUNERATION POLICY
The salient features of the Nomination and Remuneration Policy of the
Company are set out in the Corporate Governance Report which forms part of this Annual
Report.
The said Policy of the Company, inter alia, provides that the
Nomination and Remuneration Committee shall formulate the criteria for appointment &
Re appointment of Directors on the Board of the Company and persons holding senior
management positions in the Company, including their remuneration and other matters as
provided under Section 178 of the Act and Listing Regulations.
16. BOARD EVALUATION
The Board of Directors has carried out an annual evaluation of its own
performance, board committees, and individual directors pursuant to the provisions of the
Act and SEBI Listing Regulations.
The performance of the board was evaluated by the Board after seeking
inputs from all the directors on the basis of criteria such as the board composition and
structure, effectiveness of board processes, information and functioning, etc.
The performance of the committees was evaluated by the Board after
seeking inputs from the committee members on the basis of criteria such as the composition
of committees, effectiveness of committee meetings, etc.
The above criteria are broadly based on the Guidance Note on Board
Evaluation issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India on January 5, 2017. In a
separate meeting of Independent Directors, performance of Non-Independent directors, the
Board as a whole and Chairman of the Company was evaluated, taking into account the views
of executive directors and non-executive directors.
The Board and the Nomination and Remuneration Committee reviewed the
performance of individual directors on the basis of criteria such as the contribution of
the individual director to the board and committee meetings like preparedness on the
issues to be discussed, meaningful and constructive contribution and inputs in meetings,
etc.
At the board meeting that followed the meeting of the independent
directors and meeting of Nomination and Remuneration Committee, the performance of the
Board, its Committees, and individual directors was also discussed. Performance evaluation
of independent directors was done by the entire Board, excluding the independent director
19 being evaluated.
Performance Evaluation of the Board and Committees
The performance of the Board was evaluated by the Board Members after
considering inputs from all the Directors primarily on: ? Board composition and quality
with emphasis on its size, diversity, skill set of members;
? Periodic review of Company's management and internal control
system for appropriateness and relevance;
? Board process and procedure with emphasis on the frequency of
Meetings, Attendance thereof, flow of information; ? Oversight of Financial Reporting
process including Internal Controls and Audit Functions;
? Engagement in Corporate Governance, ethics and compliance with the
Company's code of conduct.
The Board evaluated the performance of the Committees on the following
parameters: ? Appropriateness of size and composition; ? Clarity of mandate and
well-defined agenda;
? Reporting to the Board on the Committee's activities;
? Availability of appropriate internal and external support or
resources to the Committees.
Performance Evaluation of Individual Directors
The performance evaluations of the Individual Directors were carried
out by the Board and other Individual Directors, considering aspects such as:
? Display of effective leadership qualities and skill;
? Implementation of observations/ recommendations of Board Members; ?
Effective and timely resolution of grievances of Board Members;
? Ability to bring convergence in case of divergent views and conflict
of interest situation tabled at Board Meetings; ? Sufficient knowledge of Company strategy
and objective; ? Understand their role as Director, as distinct from management; ?
Adequate and productive use of knowledge and experience of the Independent Directors for
the functioning of Board; ? Efforts for professional development to enable better
fulfilment of their responsibilities; ? Ask questions/ critique proposals with confidence;
? Open and effective participation in Board discussions; ? Keep stakeholder interest as
the touchstone in endorsing decisions.
Evaluation Outcome
The evaluation brought to the notice that there is adequate flow of
information from Company to the Board and the suggestions and recommendations given by the
Board are considered for follow up action. The Board Committees are well-managed and
functioning excellently. The Committee meetings are held timely with thorough discussions
on agenda items and excellent follow up.
The assessment exercise also brought out that all the Directors are
excellently contributing in the functioning of the Board. The Chairman well balances the
functioning of the Board demonstrating effective leadership. The Board has functioned well
and has rigorous discussions. The Board is open and receptive and the members are fully
committed to high standards and are transparent.
17. FAMILIARIZATION PROGRAM FOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS
All new independent directors inducted into the Board are familiarized
with the operations and functioning of the Company. The details of the training and
familiarization program are provided in the Corporate Governance report.
18. DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 134 of the Companies Act, 2013 (including any
statutory modification(s) or re-enactment(s) thereof for the time being in force),
the Directors of the Company confirm that:
(a) In the preparation of the annual accounts for the financial year
ended 31st March, 2024, the applicable Accounting Standards and Schedule III of
the Companies Act, 2013, have been followed and there are no material departures from the
same; (b) the Directors have selected such accounting policies and applied them
consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as give a
true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Companies as
20 at 31st March, 2024 and of profit and Loss of the Company
for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024;
(c) the directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the
maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the
Company Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and
detecting frauds and other irregularities; (d) the annual accounts have been prepared on a
"going concern" principal; (e) proper internal financial control laid down by
the directors were followed by the Companies and that such internal financial controls are
adequate and operating effectively ; and; (f) Proper system to ensure compliance with the
provisions of all applicable laws was in place and that such system are adequate and
operating effectively.
19. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Management Discussion and Analysis as stipulated under the Listing
Regulations is presented in a separate section forming part of this Annual Report as Annexure-A.
It speaks about the overall industry structure, global and domestic economic scenarios,
developments in business operations/performance of the Company's various businesses
viz., decorative business, international operations, industrial and home improvement
business, internal controls and their adequacy, Risk, threats, outlook etc.
20. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT
In compliance with Regulation 34 of the Listing Regulations,
a separate report on Corporate Governance along with a Certificate of Auditors on its
Compliance forms an integral part of this Report Annual Report as Annexure-B.
21. DETAILS OF SUBSIDIARY/JOINT VENTURES/ASSOCIATE COMPANIES
Company does not have any Subsidiary / Joint Ventures / Associate
Companies.
22. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENT
In accordance with the provisions of the Act, Regulation 33 of the
Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing
Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (hereinafter
referred to as "Listing Regulations") and applicable Accounting Standards, the
Company is not required to submit Audited Consolidated financial statements of the
Company, together with the Auditor's report from part of this Annual Report.
23. AUDIT COMMITTEE
The details pertaining to the composition of the Audit Committee are
included in the Corporate Governance Report, which is a part of this report.
24. AUDITORS
Secretarial Auditors
The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed Mr. Karan
Khurana & Associates, Practicing Company Secretary, (Certificate of Practice No.
15397) as the Secretarial Auditor to conduct an audit of secretarial records for
the financial year 2023-24.
The Secretarial Audit Report for the financial year ended 31st
Day of March, 2024 under Act, read with Rules made thereunder and Regulations 24A of the
listing regulations (including any statutory modification(s) or re enactment(s) thereof
for the time being in force) is set out in the Annexure-C to this report.
The Secretarial Audit Report does not contain any qualification.
The Board has appointed M/s Karan Khurana & Associates,
Practicing Company Secretary, (Certificate of Practice No. 15397), as
Secretarial Auditors of the Company for FY 2024-25. The company has received consent from
Mr .Karan Khurana to act as the auditor for conducting audit of the secretarial records
for the financial year ending as on 31st Day of March, 2025.
Statutory Auditors
M/s Piyush Mahajan & Associates (Chartered Accountants) (FRN:
028669N), were re-appointed as the Auditors of the Company at 29th Annual
General Meeting till the conclusion of the Thirty Third Annual General Meeting, to conduct
the audit till the March 31, 2026.
M/s Piyush Mahajan & Associates (Chartered Accountants) (FRN:
028669N) has confirmed that they are not disqualified from continuing as Auditors of
the Company.
The Auditors have issued an unmodified opinion on the Financial
Statements for the financial year ended 31st March,
2024. The Auditors' Report for the financial year ended 31st
March, 2024 on the financial statements of the Company is a part of this Annual Report.
Internal Auditors
M/s Yudhistar Sharma & Co., Chartered Accountants was re-
appointed by the Board of Directors to perform the duties of Internal Auditor of the
Company for the Financial Year 2024-25.
25. VIGIL MECHANISM/ WHISTLE BLOWER POLICY
The Company promotes ethical behavior in all its business activities
and has put in place a Mechanism for reporting illegal or unethical behavior. The Company
has a Whistle Blower Policy and has established the necessary vigil mechanism for
directors and employees in conformation with Section 177(9) of the Act and Regulation 22
of SEBI
Listing Regulations, to report concerns about unethical behaviour. This
Policy is available on the Company's website at
https://www.pioneeragro.co.in/the-organisation/investors-info.
The Company has provided email address of Vigilance and Ethics Officer
in its policy to which all protected disclosures should be addressed. It is affirmed that
no person has been denied access to the Audit Committee. The employees are encouraged to
voice their concerns by way of whistle blowing and the policy provides complete
confidentiality and safeguard of the employees who raises the whistle against such
improper conduct.
26. BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
A Business Responsibility Report as required in terms of the provisions
of Regulation 34(2)(f) of SEBI Listing Regulations, is not applicable on the Company.
27. DETAILS ON INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS RELATED TO FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
The Company has established a robust framework for internal financial
controls. The Company has in place adequate controls, procedures and policies, ensuring
orderly and efficient conduct of its business, including adherence to the Company's
policies, safeguarding of its assets, prevention and detection of frauds and errors,
accuracy and completeness of accounting records, and timely preparation of reliable
financial information. During the year, such controls were assessed and no reportable
material weaknesses in the design or operation were observed.
Accordingly, the Board is of the opinion that the Company's
internal financial controls were adequate and effective during FY 2023-24.
28. ANNUAL RETURN
In terms of Section 92(3) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rule 12 of the
Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014, the annual return of the Company is
available on the Company's website at the following web
link:-https://www.pioneeragro.co.in/the-organisation/investors-info
29. SIGNIFICANT AND MATERIAL ORDERS PASSED BY THE REGULATORS OR COURTS
OR TRIBUNALS
There are no such significant and material orders passed by the
regulators or courts or tribunals, impacting the going concern status and company's
operations in future.
30. LOANS, GUARANTEES OR INVESTMENTS
? Details of Loans:-
The members of the company in the 30thAnnual General Meeting
had approved loans of an amount of 4.50 Crores to Pioneer Industries Private Limited
( formerly known as Pioneer Industries Limited) (a body corporate in which director
is interested), pursuant to the provisions of section 185(2) of the Companies Act, 2013.
? Details of Investments:-
During the year under the review, the company has not directly or
indirectly invested in any body corporate.
? Details of Guarantee / Security Provided:-
During the year, the Company has not directly or indirectly, given any
guarantee or provided any security in connection with a loan to any other body corporate
or person(s).
31. PARTICULARS OF CONTRACTS OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH RELATED PARTIES
All the related party transactions which were repetitive in nature,
entered on arm's length basis in the ordinary course of business and compliance with Section
188 (1) of the Companies Act 2013 read with rules made there under,
Regulation 23 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015and other applicable provisions of the Law.
All transactions with related parties were reviewed and approved by the
Audit Committee and are in accordance with the Policy on dealing with and Materiality of
Related Party Transactions, formulated by the Company.
The Related Party Transactions Policy as approved by the Board was
uploaded on the Company's website pursuant to Regulation 46 of the SEBI (LODR)
Regulations, 2015 at the web link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qHf9yRDIbATHbpHB9OjUdudG-Uvol9n8/view.
The information relating to particulars of contracts or arrangements
with related party prepared under Section 188(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule
8(2) of Companies (Accounts) Rule, 2014 is in Form AOC-2is appended as Annexure
D to the Directors' Report as required.
Details of the transactions with Related Parties are provided in the
accompanying financial statements. Members may refer to Note 23 to the financial
statements which set out related party disclosures.
32. PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES
Pursuant to Section 197(12) of the Act, read with Rule 5 of the
Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014,
details/information related to the remuneration of Directors and Key Managerial Personnel
are set out as Annexure-E to the Directors' Report.
There is no information required to mention under Rule 5 (2)
except statement showing details pertaining to names of the top ten employees in terms of
remuneration drawn and various other details related as per Rule 5(3) of The Companies
(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 read with Companies
(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Amendment Rules, 2016.
Further, the Company has no such employee who falls under Rule 5
(2)(i), (ii) and (iii) of The Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial
Personnel) Rules, 2014 read with Amendment Rules, 2016.
33. CODE OF CONDUCT
The Board of Directors has approved a code of conduct which is
applicable to members of the Board and all employees in the course of day to day business
operations of the Company. The code has been placed on the Company's website
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mlGkML9FfZVaHjlMdgCk3FCVgv5Hf6aN/view.The Code lays down
the standard procedure of business conduct which is expected to be followed by the
directors and the designated employees in their business dealings and in particular on
matters relating to integrity in the work place, inbusiness practices and in dealing with
stakeholders.
All the Board Members and Senior Management personnel have confirmed
compliance with the code.
34. ENERGY CONSERVATION, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE
EARNINGS AND OUTGO.
The information on conservation of energy, technology absorption and
foreign exchange earnings and outgo stipulated under Section 134 (3) (m) of the
Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8 of The Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 are given
in Annexure F.
35. POLICY ON PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AT WORKPLACE
The Company has formulated a Policy on prevention of Sexual Harassment
at workplace for prevention, prohibition and redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and redressal) Act, 2013(hereinafter referred to as
"Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act").
To prevent the sexual harassment in workplace the company has set up
Internal Complaints Committee in the company comprising a presiding officer who is senior
level woman employee, members with legal knowledge or experience in social work and one
independent member from outside the organization who expertise in dealing with such
matters and has the relevant knowledge and experience. The Committee is responsible for
dealing with all matters related to the subject. The committee constitution has been
communicated to all employees.
The Company is committed to providing a safe and conducive work
environment to all of its employees and associates. The Company periodically conducts
sessions for employees across the organization to build awareness about policy and the
provisions of Prevention of Sexual Harassment Act.
During the financial year 2023-24, company has not received any
complaint of Sexual Harassment.
36. MATERIAL CHANGES AND COMMITMENTS, IF ANY, AFFECTING THE FINANCIAL
POSITION OF THE COMPANY WHICH
HAVE OCCURRED BETWEEN THE END OF THE FINANCIAL YEAR OF THE COMPANY TO
WHICH THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS RELATE AND THE DATE OF THE REPORT
No material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of
the Company occurred between the end of the financial year to which these financial
statements relate and the date of this Report.
37. NAMES OF COMPANIES WHICH HAVE BECOME OR CEASED TO BE ITS
SUBSIDIARIES, JOINT VENTURES OR
ASSOCIATE COMPANIES DURING THE YEAR
No company has become or ceased to be our company's subsidiaries,
Joint Ventures or Associate Company during the year.
38. CHANGE IN THE NATURE OF BUSINESS, IF ANY
There was no change in the nature of business of the Company during the
financial year ended 31st March, 2024.
39. DETAILS OF APPLICATION MADE OR ANY PROCEEDING PENDING UNDER THE
INSOLVENCY AND BANKRUPTCY
CODE, 2016 (31 OF 2016) AND THEIR STATUS
There are no applications made or any proceeding pending under the
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016) during the year
40. LISTING OF SHARES
The Equity Shares of the Company are listed on the BSE Limited
(BSE'). The due annual listing fees for the financial year 2023-24 has been
paid to the Stock Exchanges i.e. BSE
For and on behalf of the Board |
Pioneer Agro Extracts Limited |