independent directors

The concept of Independent Director has been proposed in the Companies Bill, 2009. Clause 147 of the Bill, provides for duties of directors which include the duty to act in good faith in best interest of company, to act with due and reasonable care, skill and diligence, to avoid any conflict of interest, to desist from achieving any undue gain or advantage. These duties would also be applicable for independent directors. Full Article

The Government has said that the Department of Public Enterprises has so far not issued any guidelines regarding the assessment of working of non-official Directors on the Board of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs). Full Article

The role of independent directors (IDs) on the board of Indian companies will be clarified in the new Companies Bill and their responsibilities will be made finite in terms of what they are answerable for, said Union Corporate Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. Full Article

A parliamentary panel of experts studying the new Companies Bill is likely to come up with suggestions in this regard, said a corporate affairs ministry official, requesting anonymity. The development assumes significance in the wake of the government’s renewed efforts to quicken the share sales of many state-owned firms that are hamstrung by the lack of a requisite number of independent directors on boards. Market regulator Sebi’s guidelines require that 50% of a co.. Full Article

The Government has said that the Companies Act, 1956 does not provide for appointment of Independent Directors. But, as per clause 49 of the Listing Agreement, all the listed companies are required to appoint Independent Directors. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today, the Minsiter for Corporate Affairs, Full Article

With the aggressive disinvestment of PSUs being planned for the coming months, the government is likely to introduce a fixed time-frame during which the nomination of independent directors should be completed by state-run companies. Full Article

The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) has recommended to the Government that the maximum number of listed companies where one can be a director be restricted to seven. ICSI has also mooted capping the tenure of independent directors at six years. In its report on ‘Strengthening Corporate Governance Framework' submitted to the Corporate Affairs Minister, Mr Salman Khursheed, ICSI suggested a clear demarcation of the roles and responsibilities of the Chair.. Full Article

While in most of the countries in the world, the top executives are trying to survive their jobs and positions and while this is the first time when maximum CEOs are hated by their shareholders, the independent Directors are trying to run away from their current position. One of the reports of Economic Times says that, since Satyam scandal and Nagarjuna case, "there are over 500 independent directors in India who have resigned from their respective positions on the Board.. Full Article