EXEMPTION TO GOVERNMENT COMPANIES - By Notification 13.06.2017

        EXEMPTION TO GOVERNMENT COMPANIES - By Notification 13.06.2017

SHORT SUMMARY:

In this Flash editorial, the author begins by referring the powers of central government providing under Section 462 of Companies Act, 2013. The Central Government, in the interest of public, hereby amends the notification of the Government of india, in the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, vide number G.S.R. 464(E) dated the 5th June, 2015 published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part-ll, Section 3, Subsection (i), dated the 5rh June 2015 (hereinafter referred to as the principal notification), namely:

This is article no. 234 of the series of editorials written by the author on corporate laws {Including Companies Act, 2013, SEBI, RBI Regulations, IBC, LLP Act, 2008 etc.}.

INTRODUCTION:

Ministry of Corporate Affairs On 5th June, 2015 lay down exemption to Government Company from some the provision of the Companies Act, 2013. According to the exemptions Provisions of companies act, 2013 given in principle notification shall not apply or shall apply with such exceptions, modifications and adaptations, as specified in the principle notification.  (Link of principle Notification http://www.mca.gov.in/Ministry/pdf/Exemptions_to_govt_companies_05062015.pdf

MCA has laid down the copy of the Notification under section 462 of the Companies Act 2013 (“the Act”) providing some more exemptions to Government Company from the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 in addition to the exemption notification dated 5^th June, 2015.

New Exemption in addition to earlier exemption- By Notification on 13^th June, 2017

MCA lay down below given exemption to Government Companies from the provision of the Companies Act, 2013.

S.N	Chapter/ Section of the Act	Particular	Exemption Provided in MCA Notification
A.	Chapter VII, Sub section (2) of section 96.	In the exemption notification dated 5th June, 2015, in the table, for serial number 5 , the following serial no. shall be Substituted, namely:- (2) Every annual general meeting shall be called during business hours, that is, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on any day that is not a National Holiday and shall be held either at the registered office of the company or such other place within the city, town or village in which the registered office of the Company is situate or such other place as the Central Government may approve in this behalf” Provided that the Central Government may exempt any company from the provisions of this sub-section subject to such conditions as it may impose.	For the Government Companies Sub section (2) shall be read as follow: In sub-section (2), for the words "such other place as the Central Government may approve in this behalf" shall be substituted” shall be substituted by “such other place within the city, town or village in which the registered office of the Company is situate or such other place as the Central Government may approve in this behalf” “the words "such other place as the Central Government may approve in this behalf" shall be substituted. Note: Annual General Meeting of Company shall be held at registered office of the Company or such other place within the city, town or village in which the registered office of the Company is situate or such other place as the Central Government may approve in this behalf.
B.	Chapter XI, Sub Section (6) and (7) of Section 152	[1]In the exemption notification dated 5th June, 2015, in the table, for serial number 15 , the following serial no. shall be Substituted, namely:- As per Notification dated 5th June, 2015 Sub section (6) and (7) shall not apply to followings: (a) a Government Company in which the entire paid up share capital is held by the Central Government, or by any State Government or Governments or by the Central Government and one or more State Governments; (b) a subsidiary of a Government company, referred to in (a) above, in which the entire paid up share capital is held by that Government company.	As per current notification Sub Section (6) and (7) shall not apply to followings: a)     a Government company, which is not a listed company, in which not less than fifty-one per cent. of paid up share capital is held by the Central Government, or by any State Government or Governments or by the Central Government and one or more State Governments; b)     a subsidiary of a Government company, referred to in (a) above.".
C.	Chapter XV, section 230 to 232.	230. Power to compromise or make arrangements with creditors and members 231. Power of Tribunal to enforce compromise or arrangement 232. Merger and amalgamation of companies	In Section 230, 231 and 232 the word “Tribunal” wherever it occurs, the word “Central Government” shall be substituted.

(Author – CS Divesh Goyal, GOYAL DIVESH & ASSOCIATES Company Secretary in Practice from Delhi and can be contacted at csdiveshgoyal@gmail.com)

Disclaimer: The entire contents of this document have been prepared on the basis of relevant provisions and as per the information existing at the time of the preparation. Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, I assume no responsibility therefore. Users of this information are expected to refer to the relevant existing provisions of applicable Laws. The user of the information agrees that the information is not a professional advice and is subject to change without notice. I assume no responsibility for the consequences of use of such information. IN NO EVENT SHALL I SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGE RESULTING FROM, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THE INFORMATION.

---

[1]  The exceptions, modifications and adoptions provided in column (B) of the aforesaid table shall be applicable to a Government Company which has not committed a default in filing its financial statements under Section 137 of the said Act or annual return under section 92 of the said Act with the Registrar.