Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 20th December, 2018 to amend the Companies Act, 2013. The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018 seeks to replace the Companies Act, 2013, inter alia, provides—
(i) to amend clause (41) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 so as to empower the Central Government to allow certain companies to have a different financial year instead of as determined by the Tribunal;
(ii) to amend section 12 of the Act empowering the Registrar to initiate action for the removal of name of the company from register of companies, if the company is not carrying on any business or operation in accordance with the provisions of the Act;
(iii) to amend sixteen sections of the Act so as to modify the punishment as provided in the said sections from fine to monetary penalties to lessen the burden upon the Special Courts; and
(iv) to amend section 441 of the Act so as to enhance the jurisdiction of the Regional Director for compounding of offences.
Download Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018 as introduced in Lok Sabha
Text of Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018 as introduced in Lok Sabha is as follows:-
AS INTRODUCED IN LOK SABHA
Bill No. 187 of 2018
THE COMPANIES (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2018
A
BILL
further to amend the Companies Act, 2013.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
1. Short title and commencement.
(1) This Act may be called the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018.
(2) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 2nd day of November, 2018.
2. Amendment of section 2.
In section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as the principal Act), in clause (41),—
(a) for the first proviso, the following provisos shall be substituted, namely:—
“Provided that where a company or body corporate, which is a holding company or a subsidiary or associate company of a company incorporated outside India and is required to follow a different financial year for consolidation of its accounts outside India, the Central Government may, on an application made by that company or body corporate in such form and manner as may be prescribed, allow any period as its financial year, whether or not that period is a year:
Provided further that any application pending before the Tribunal as on the date of commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018, shall be disposed of by the Tribunal in accordance with the provisions applicable to it before such commencement.”;
(b) in the second proviso, for the words “Provided further that”, the words 5 “Provided also that” shall be substituted.
3. Insertion of new section 10A.
After section 10 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—
“10A. (1) A company incorporated after the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018 and having a share capital shall not commence any business 10 or exercise any borrowing powers unless—
(a) a declaration is filed by a director within a period of one hundred and eighty days of the date of incorporation of the company in such form and verified in such manner as may be prescribed, with the Registrar that every subscriber to the memorandum has paid the value of the shares agreed to be 15 taken by him on the date of making of such declaration; and
(b) the company has filed with the Registrar a verification of its registered office as provided in sub-section (2) of section 12.
(2) If any default is made in complying with the requirements of this section, the company shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees and every officer 20 who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of one thousand rupees for each day during which such default continues but not exceeding an amount of one lakh rupees.
(3) Where no declaration has been filed with the Registrar under clause (a) of sub-section (1) within a period of one hundred and eighty days of the date of 25 incorporation of the company and the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe that the company is not carrying on any business or operations, he may, without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (2), initiate action for the removal of the name of the company from the register of companies under Chapter XVIII.
4. Amendment of section 12.
In section 12 of the principal Act, after sub-section (8), the following sub-section 30 shall be inserted, namely:—
“(9) If the Registrar has reasonable cause to believe that the company is not carrying on any business or operations, he may cause a physical verification of the registered office of the company in such manner as may be prescribed and if any default is found to be made in complying with the requirements of sub-section (1), he 35 may without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (8), initiate action for the removal of the name of the company from the register of companies under Chapter XVIII.”.
5. Amendment of section 14.
In section 14 of the principal Act,—
(i) in sub-section (1), for the second proviso, the following provisos shall be 40 substituted, namely:—
“Provided further that any alteration having the effect of conversion of a public company into a private company shall not be valid unless it is approved by an order of the Central Government on an application made in such form and manner as may be prescribed:
Provided also that any application pending before the Tribunal, as on the date of commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018, shall be disposed of by the Tribunal in accordance with the provisions applicable to it before such commencement.”;
(ii) in sub-section (2), for the word “Tribunal”, the words “Central Government” shall be substituted.
6. Amendment of section 53.
In section 53 of the principal Act, for sub-section (3), the following sub-section
shall be substituted, namely:—
“(3) Where any company fails to comply with the provisions of this section, such company and every officer who is in default shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to an amount equal to the amount raised through the issue of shares at a discount or five lakh rupees, whichever is less, and the company shall also be liable to refund all monies received with interest at the rate of twelve per cent. per annum from the date of issue of such shares to the persons to whom such shares have been issued.”.
7. Amendment of section 64.
In section 64 of the principal Act, for sub-section (2), the following sub-section 15 shall be substituted, namely:—
“(2) Where any company fails to comply with the provisions of sub-section (1), such company and every officer who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of one thousand rupees for each day during which such default continues, or five lakh rupees whichever is less.”.
8. Amendment of section 77.
In section 77 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), for the first and second provisos, the following provisos shall be substituted, namely:—
“Provided that the Registrar may, on an application by the company, allow such registration to be made—
(a) in case of charges created before the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018, within a period of three hundred days of such creation; or
(b) in case of charges created on or after the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018, within a period of sixty days of such creation, on payment of such additional fees as may be prescribed:
Provided further that if the registration is not made within the period specified—
(a) in clause (a) to the first proviso, the registration of the charge shall be made within six months from the date of commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018, on payment of such additional fees as may be prescribed and different fees may be prescribed for different classes of companies;
(b) in clause (b) to the first proviso, the Registrar may, on an application, allow such registration to be made within a further period of sixty days after payment of such ad valorem fees as may be prescribed.”.
9. Amendment of section 86.
Section 86 of the principal Act shall be numbered as sub-section (1) thereof and after sub-section (1) as so numbered, the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—
“(2) If any person wilfully furnishes any false or incorrect information or knowingly suppresses any material information, required to be registered in accordance with the provisions of section 77, he shall be liable for action under section 447.”.
10. Substitution of new section for section 87.
For section 87 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—
Rectification by Central Government in register of charges.
“87. The Central Government on being satisfied that—
(a) the omission to give intimation to the Registrar of the payment or satisfaction of a charge, within the time required under this Chapter; or
(b) the omission or mis-statement of any particulars, in any filing previously made to the Registrar with respect to any charge or modification thereof or with respect to any memorandum of satisfaction or other entry made in pursuance of section 82 or section 83,
was accidental or due to inadvertence or some other sufficient cause or it is not of 10 a nature to prejudice the position of creditors or shareholders of the company, it may, on the application of the company or any person interested and on such terms and conditions as it deems just and expedient, direct that the time for the giving of intimation of payment or satisfaction shall be extended or, as the case may require, that the omission or mis-statement shall be rectified.”.
11. Amendment of section 90.
In section 90 of the principal Act,—
(i) for sub-section (9), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(9) The company or the person aggrieved by the order of the Tribunal may make an application to the Tribunal for relaxation or lifting of the restrictions placed under sub-section (8), within a period of one year from the date of such 20 order:
Provided that if no such application has been filed within a period of one year from the date of the order under sub-section (8), such shares shall be transferred, without any restrictions, to the authority constituted under sub-section (5) of section 125, in such manner as may be prescribed.”;
(ii) in sub-section (10),—
(a) after the word “punishable”, the words “with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year or” shall be inserted;
(b) after the words “ten lakh rupees”, the words “or with both” shall be inserted.
12. Amendment of section 92.
In section 92 of the principal Act, for sub-section (5), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(5) If any company fails to file its annual return under sub-section (4), before the expiry of the period specified therein, such company and its every officer who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees and in case of continuing 35 failure, with a further penalty of one hundred rupees for each day during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of five lakh rupees.”.
13. Amendment of section 102.
In section 102 of the principal Act, for sub-section (5), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(5) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (4), if any default is 40 made in complying with the provisions of this section, every promoter, director, manager or other key managerial personnel of the company who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees or five times the amount of benefit accruing to the promoter, director, manager or other key managerial personnel or any of his relatives, whichever is higher.”.
14. Amendment of section 105.
In section 105 of the principal Act, in sub-section (3), for the words “punishable with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees”, the words “liable to a penalty of five thousand rupees” shall be substituted.
15. Amendment of section 117.
In section 117 of the principal Act, for sub-section (2), the following sub-section 5 shall be substituted, namely:—
“(2) If any company fails to file the resolution or the agreement under sub-section (1) before the expiry of the period specified therein, such company shall be liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of five hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of twenty-five lakh rupees and every officer of the company who is in default including liquidator of the company, if any, shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of five hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of five lakh rupees.”.
16. Amendment of section 121.
In section 121 of the principal Act, for sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
(3) If the company fails to file the report under sub-section (2) before the expiry of the period specified therein, such company shall be liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of five hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of five lakh rupees and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a penalty which shall not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of five hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of one lakh rupees.”.
17. Amendment of section 137.
In section 137 of the principal Act, in sub-section (3),—
(a) for the words “punishable with fine”, the words “liable to a penalty” shall be substituted;
(b) for the portion beginning with “punishable with imprisonment”, and ending with “five lakh rupees or with both”, the words “shall be liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of one hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of five lakh rupees” shall be substituted.
18. Amendment of section 140.
In section 140 of the principal Act, for sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(3) If the auditor does not comply with the provisions of sub-section (2), he or it shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees or an amount equal to the remuneration of the auditor, whichever is less, and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of five hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of five lakh rupees.”.
19. Amendment of section 157.
In section 157 of the principal Act, for sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(2) If any company fails to furnish the Director Identification Number under sub-section (1), such company shall be liable to a penalty of twenty-five thousand rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of one hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of one lakh rupees, and every officer of the company who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of not less than twenty-five thousand rupees and in case of continuing failure, with a further penalty of one hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such failure continues, subject to a maximum of one lakh rupees.”.
20. Substitution of new section for section 159.
For section 159 of the principal Act, the following section shall be substituted, namely:—
Penalty for default of certain provisions.
“159. If any individual or director of a company makes any default in complying with any of the provisions of section 152, section 155 and section 156, such individual or director of the company shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to fifty 5 thousand rupees and where the default is a continuing one, with a further penalty which may extend to five hundred rupees for each day after the first during which such default continues.”.
21. Amendment of section 164.
In section 164 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1), after clause (h), the following clause shall be inserted, namely:—
“(i) he has not complied with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 165.”.
22. Amendment of section 165.
In section 165 of the principal Act, in sub-section (6), for the portion beginning with “punishable with fine” and ending with “contravention continues”, the words “liable to a penalty of five thousand rupees for each day after the first during which such contravention continues” shall be substituted.
23. Amendment of section 191.
In section 191 of the principal Act, for sub-section (5), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(5) If a director of the company makes any default in complying with the provisions of this section, such director shall be liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees.”.
24. Amendment of section 197.
In section 197 of the principal Act,— 20
(a) sub-section (7) shall be omitted;
(b) for sub-section (15), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(15) If any person makes any default in complying with the provisions of this section, he shall be liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees and where any default has been made by a company, the company shall be liable to a penalty of 25 five lakh rupees.”.
25. Amendment of section 203.
In section 203 of the principal Act, for sub-section (5), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(5) If any company makes any default in complying with the provisions of this section, such company shall be liable to a penalty of five lakh rupees and every 30 director and key managerial personnel of the company who is in default shall be liable to a penalty of fifty thousand rupees and where the default is a continuing one, with a further penalty of one thousand rupees for each day after the first during which such default continues but not exceeding five lakh rupees.”.
26. Amendment of section 238.
In section 238 of the principal Act, in sub-section (3), for the words “punishable 35 with fine which shall not be less than twenty-five thousand rupees but which may extend to five lakh rupees”, the words “liable to a penalty of one lakh rupees” shall be substituted.
27. Amendment of section 248.
In section 248 of the principal Act, in sub-section (1),—
(a) in clause (c), for the word and figures “section 455,”, the words and figures “section 455; or” shall be substituted;
(b) after clause (c) and before the long line, the following clauses shall be inserted, namely:—
“(d) the subscribers to the memorandum have not paid the subscription which they had undertaken to pay at the time of incorporation of a company and a declaration to this effect has not been filed within one hundred and eighty 45 days of its incorporation under sub-section (1) of section 10A; or
(e) the company is not carrying on any business or operations, as revealed after the physical verification carried out under sub-section (9) of section 12.”.
28. Amendment of section 441.
In section 441 of the principal Act,—
a) in sub-section (1), in clause (b), for the words “does not exceed five lakh 5 rupees”, the words “does not exceed twenty-five lakh rupees” shall be substituted;
b) for sub-section (6), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely:—
“(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, any offence which is punishable under this Act with imprisonment only or with imprisonment and also with fine shall not be 10 compoundable.”.
29. Amendment of section 446B.
In section 446B of the principal Act, for the portion beginning with “punishable with fine” and ending with “specified in such sections”, the words “liable to a penalty which shall not be more than one half of the penalty specified in such sections” shall be substituted.
30. Amendment of section 447
In section 447 of the principal Act, in the second proviso, for the words “twenty 15 lakh rupees”, the words “fifty lakh rupees” shall be substituted.
31. Amendment of section 454.
In section 454 of the principal Act,—
(i) for sub-section (3), the following sub-section shall be substituted, namely: —
“(3) The adjudicating officer may, by an order—
(a) impose the penalty on the company, the officer who is in default, or any other person, as the case may be, stating therein any non-compliance or default under the relevant provisions of this Act; and
(b) direct such company, or officer who is in default, or any other person, as the case may be, to rectify the default, wherever he considers fit.”;
(ii) in sub-section (4), for the words “such company and the officer who is in default”, the words “such company, the officer who is in default or any other person” shall be substituted;
(iii) in sub-section (8),—
(a) in clause (i), for the words “does not pay the penalty imposed by the adjudicating officer or the Regional Director”, the words, brackets and figures “fails to comply with the order made under sub-section (3) or sub-section (7), as the case may be,” shall be substituted;
(b) in clause (ii)—
(i) for the words “Where an officer of a company”, the words “Where an officer of a company or any other person” shall be substituted;
(ii) for the words “does not pay the penalty”, the words, brackets and figures “fails to comply with the order made under sub-section (3) or sub-section (7), as the case may be,” shall be substituted.
32. Insertion of new section 454A.
After section 454 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted, namely:—
Penalty for repeated default.
“454A. Where a company or an officer of a company or any other person having already been subjected to penalty for default under any provisions of this Act, again commits such default within a period of three years from the date of order imposing such penalty passed by the adjudicating officer or the Regional Director, as the case may be, it or he shall be liable for the second or subsequent defaults for an amount equal to twice the amount of penalty provided for such default under the relevant provisions of this Act.”.
33. Repeal and savings.
(1) The Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 is hereby repealed.
(2) Notwithstanding such repeal, anything done or any action taken under the Companies Act, 2013 as amended by the said Ordinance, shall be deemed to have been done or taken under the corresponding provisions of the said Act, as amended by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Page Contents
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS
The Companies Act, 2013 (the Act) was enacted with a view to consolidate and amend the law relating to companies. The Act introduced significant changes relating to disclosures to stakeholders, accountability of directors, auditors and key managerial personnel, investor protection and corporate governance.
2. In order to review the existing framework dealing with offences under the Companies Act, 2013 and related matters and make recommendations to promote better corporate compliance, the Government of India constituted a Committee in July, 2018 and the said Committee, after taking the views of several stakeholders, submitted its report in August, 2018. The Committee recommended that the existing rigour of the law should continue for serious offences, whereas the lapses that are essentially technical or procedural in nature may be shifted to in-house adjudication process. The Committee observed that this would serve the twin purposes of promoting of ease of doing business and better corporate compliance. It would also reduce the number of prosecutions filed in the Special Courts which would in turn facilitate speedier disposal of serious offences and the offenders shall be penalised. The liability under section 447 which deals with corporate fraud would continue to apply wherever fraud is noticed.
3. The recommendations made by the Committee were examined by the Government and it was noted that the changes in the Companies Act, 2013 suggested by the said Committee would fill critical gaps in the corporate governance and compliance framework as enshrined in the said Act while simultaneously extending greater ease of doing business to law abiding corporate.
4. As the Parliament was not in session and immediate action was required to be taken, the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 was promulgated by the President on the 2nd day of November, 2018.
5. The Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018 which seeks to replace the aforesaid Ordinance, inter alia, provides‑
(i) to amend clause (41) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 so as to empower the Central Government to allow certain companies to have a different financial year instead of as determined by the Tribunal;
(ii) to amend section 12 of the Act empowering the Registrar to initiate action for the removal of name of the company from register of companies, if the company is not carrying on any business or operation in accordance with the provisions of the Act;
(iii) to amend sixteen sections of the Act so as to modify the punishment as provided in the said sections from fine to monetary penalties to lessen the burden upon the Special Courts; and
(iv) to amend section 441 of the Act so as to enhance the jurisdiction of the Regional Director for compounding of offences.
6. The Notes on Clauses explain in detail the various provisions of the Bill.
7. The Bill seeks to replace the aforesaid Ordinance.
ARUN JAITLEY
NEW DELHI;
The 12th December, 2018.
Notes on Clauses
Clause 1 of the Bill provides for the short title and commencement of the proposed Legislation.
Clause 2 of the Bill seeks to amend clause (41) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 (the Act) so as to enable the relevant companies to follow different financial year with the approval of the Central Government, instead of taking approval of the Tribunal.
Clause 3 of the Bill seeks to insert a new section 10A relating to commencement of business etc., to provide that a company having a share capital shall not commence business or exercise any borrowing powers unless a declaration is filed with the Registrar by a director that every subscriber to the memorandum has paid the value of shares and the company has filed with the Registrar the verification of its registered office. The said clause further provides that non-compliance with filing of declaration may result into action by Registrar under Chapter XVIII.
Clause 4 of the Bill seeks to insert a new sub-section (9) in section 12 of the Act to provide that the Registrar may cause a physical verification of the registered office of the company if he has reasonable cause to believe that company is not carrying on any business or operations as specified and to provide consequent action thereof.
Clause 5 of the Bill seeks to amend the second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14 of the Act to provide that any alteration having the effect of conversion of a public company into a private company shall not be valid unless it is approved by an order of the Central Government on an application made in such form and manner as may be prescribed. Earlier this approval was obtained from the Tribunal.
Clause 6 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (3) of section 53 of the Act to provide for monetary penalty and refund of monies in case of failure to comply provision of that section.
Clause 7 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (2) of section 64 of the Act to provide for monetary penalty for company and its officers in default in case of failure to comply with provision of such section.
Clause 8 of the Bill seeks to amend the first and second proviso of sub-section (1) of section 77 of the Act to provide that the Registrar may, on the application made by a company, allow registration of charge, in case of charges created before the commencement of the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2018, within a period of three hundred days or charges created after the commencement of the said Act within sixty days, on payment of additional fees. The additional period within which the charges required to be registered is also provided.
Clause 9 of the Bill seeks to insert sub-section (2) in section 86 of the Act to provide that any person who wilfully furnishes any false or incorrect information or knowingly suppresses any material information, required to be registered in accordance with the provisions of section 77, shall be liable for action under section 447.
Clause 10 of the Bill seeks to substitute section 87 of the Act to empower the Central Government to extend time or allow rectification, if it is satisfied that omission to give intimation to the Registrar of the payment or satisfaction of a charge, within the time required under Chapter VI; or the omission or misstatement of any particulars, in any previous filing with respect to any such charge or modification thereof or with respect to any memorandum of satisfaction or other entry made in pursuance of section 82 or section 83 was accidental or was due to inadvertence.
Clause 11 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (9) of section 90 of the Act to provide that the company or the person aggrieved by the order of the Tribunal may make an application to the Tribunal for relaxation or lifting of the restrictions placed under sub-section (8), within a period of one year from the date of such order and if no such application is filed, such shares shall be transferred without any restrictions to Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority. The clause also seeks to amend the penal provision under sub-section (10) of section 90 of the Act.
Clause 12 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (5) of section 92 of the Act to provide that if any company fails to file its annual return under sub-section (4), before the expiry of the period specified therein, such company and its every officer who is in default shall be liable to monetary penalty as specified in the provision.
Clause 13 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (5) of section 102 of the Act to provide that in case of any default made in complying with the provisions of such section, every promoter, director, manager or other key managerial personnel of the company who is in default shall be liable to monetary penalty as specified in the provision.
Clause 14 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (3) of section 105 of the Act to provide that for any default under sub-section (2) of said section, the officer in default shall be liable for monetary penalty as specified in sub-section (3).
Clause 15 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (2) of section 117 of the Act to provide that for failure in filing a copy of every resolution or an agreement as per sub-section (1) of said section, the company and its officer in default shall be liable for monetary penalty as specified in sub-section (2).
Clause 16 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (3) of section 121 of the Act to provide for liability to pay monetary penalty for not filing with the Registrar a copy of report within the stipulated period as per sub-section (2) of said section.
Clause 17 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (3) of section 137 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty in case of failure to file a copy of financial statements with the Registrar.
Clause 18 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (3) of section 140 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty of fifty thousand rupees or an amount equal to the remuneration whichever is less and further penalty for continuous faliure, if the auditor does not comply with sub-section (2) of said section.
Clause 19 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (2) of section 157 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty in case there is failure to furnish Director Identification Number pursuant to sub-section (1) of said section.
Clause 20 of the Bill seeks to amend section 159 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty if any individual or director of a company makes default in complying with sections 152, 155 and 156 of the Act.
Clause 21 of the Bill seeks to insert clause (i) in sub-section (1) of section 164 of the Act to provide disqualification to become a director if an individual has not complied with the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 165 of the Act.
Clause 22 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (6) of section 165 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty in case a person accepts an appointment as a director in contravention of sub-section (1) of said section.
Clause 23 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (5) of section 191 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty if a director makes default in complying with such section.
Clause 24 of the Bill seeks to omit sub-section (7) and to amend sub-section (15) of section 197 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty by any person or the company in case of default.
Clause 25 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (5) of section 203 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty by any company and director and key managerial personnel who is in default in complying with said section.
Clause 26 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (3) of section 238 of the Act to provide for payment of monetary penalty for the director who issues a circular which has not been presented for registration and registered as per sub-section (1) of said section.
Clause 27 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-section (1) of section 248 of the Act to insert new clauses (d) and (e) to provide that in case the subscribers to the memorandum have not paid the subscription which they had undertaken to pay and declaration under section 10A has not been filed or where the company is not carrying on any business or operation as revealed after the physical verification, the Registrar shall send notice to such companies and its directors informing them of his intention to remove the name of the company from the register of companies.
Clause 28 of the Bill seeks to amend clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 441 of the Act to increase the threshold of maximum amount of fine that does not exceed twenty-five lakh rupees for compounding by the Regional Directors.
Clause 29 of the Bill seeks to amend section 446B of the Act to provide for payment of reduced amount of monetary penalty in case of default by One Person Company or small companies.
Clause 30 of the Bill seeks to amend section 447 of the Act to enhance the amount of fine from “twenty lakh rupees” to “fifty lakh rupees”.
Clause 31 of the Bill seeks to amend sub-sections (3) and (8) of section 454 of the Act to provide that adjudicating officer may also direct the company or officer in default or other person to rectify default, wherever he considers fit.
Clause 32 of the Bill seeks to insert a new section 454A relating to monetary penalty for repeated default, which is twice the amount of penalty provided for such defaults under the relevant provisions of this Act.
Clause 33 of the Bill seeks to repeal the Companies (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 and to save the actions done during the course of the period of Ordinance.
FINANCIAL MEMORANDUM
The provisions of the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2018 will not involve any expenditure of recurring or non-recurring nature, on its enactment.
MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION
Sub-clause (a) of clause 2 of the Bill confers power upon the Central Government to prescribe, under first proviso to clause (41) of section 2 of the Act, the form and manner in which application shall be made by the relevant company or body corporate to the Central Government to allow any period as financial year.
Clause 3 empowers the Central Government to prescribe, under clause (a) of sub-section (1) of section 10 A, the form and manner in which a declaration is to be filed and verified by a director to the effect that every subscriber to the memorandum has paid the value of the shares agreed to be taken by him on the date of making such declaration.
Clause 4 empowers the Central Government to prescribe, under sub-section (9) of section 12 of the Act, the manner in which the Registrar may cause a physical verification of the registered office of the company if he has reasonable cause to believe that the company is not carrying on any business or operations.
Clause 5 empowers the Central Government to prescribe, under the second proviso to sub-section (1) of section 14 of the Act, the form and manner in which an application is to be made to the Central Government for seeking its approval for any alteration of articles having the effect of conversion of a public company into a private company.
Clause 8 empowers the Central Government to prescribe, under sub-section (1) of section 77 of the Act, (a) the additional fees which a company shall pay while making an application to the Registrar for registration of charge after the expiry of original period of filing; (b) additional fees and different fees for different class of companies; and the ad valorem fees.
Clause 11 empowers the Central Government, under proviso to sub-section (9) of section 90 of the Act, to prescribe the manner in which the shares shall be transferred to the authority constituted under sub-section (5) of section 125 of the Act, if no application has been filed within a period of one year from the date of the order referred to in sub-section (8).
The matters in respect of which the said rules may be made are matters of procedure and administrative detail, and as such, it is not practicable to provide for them in the proposed Bill itself. The delegation of legislative power is, therefore, of a normal character.
ANNEXURE
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