Loan to Group Companies - Under Section 185(2

Loan to Group Companies

Under Section 185(2)

SHORT SUMMARY:

In this Research editorial, the author begins by referring the provisions of Section 185 of Companies Amendment Act, 2017 (Loan to Directors and entities in which directors are interested). The main focus of this research editorial on “Whether a Company can give loan to other Companies or Body Corporates in which their directors are interested” If NO, why? If yes, then what are the Compliance a company required for the same”.

A.     BACKROUND

Section 185 of Companies Act, 2013 corresponds to section 295 of the Companies Act, 1956, section 86D of the Indian Companies Act, 1913 and section 190 of the English Companies Act, 1948. It has been made effective from 12-9-2013

This refers that "Companies Act likely to jolt Corporate World". Section 185 of the Companies Act, 2013, which puts restrictions on inter-corporate loans, jolted the corporate world. Until now, Companies were in the habit of borrowing funds from banks and passing them on to subsidiaries and associate companies through inter-

corporate loans. The holding companies never bothered to comply with the terms of the loan agreement when it concerned the deployment of the borrowed funds. The banks never monitored such fund deployment. Many amendments has been made under this section since its notification.

B.     WHAT IS TERM ‘LOAN’:

Section 2 of Companies Act, 2013, does not define “loan”. A loan is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as " a thing lent; something the use of which is allowed for a time, on the understanding that it shall be returned or an equivalent given, a sum of money lent on these conditions and usually with interest.

The Supreme Court in the case of Shree Ram Mills Ltd v. Commissioner of Excess Profit Tax, MANU/SC/0054/1954 ;

C.      PROVISION OF SECTION 185 AS PER COMPANIES ACT, 2013: Same can be read in depth on the below mentioned link:

http://www.csdiveshgoyal.info/2015/11/loan-to-director-185-b-ackround-this.html

D.     PROVISION AS PER COMPANIES AMENDMENT ACT, 2017:

Section 185 of Companies Act, 2013 has ben completely substituted by New Section 185 under Companies Amendment Act, 2017 (CA, 2017 got president assent on 3^rd January, 2018. Due to Complete substitution there are many changes under this section as mentioned below.

Language of Section 185:

(1)  No Company ( Private & Public)

·         Directly or Indirectly

·         Advanced any loan, including Bood Debt

·         Or any Guarantee or provide any security in connection with any loan taken by

Following Persons

        i.            Any director of Company, or

      ii.            Any director of a Company which is its Holding Company, or

    iii.            Any partner of Director of lender company, or

    iv.            Any relative of Directors of Lender Company, or

      v.            Any firm in which any of Director of Lending Company is Director, or

    vi.            Any firm in which any relative of Director of lending Company is Director.

Points to be Kept in Mind while Complying according to this Section

a)      This Subsection applicable on Public Limited as well as Private Limited Company (whether small, OPC, Start ups etc.)

b)      Guarantee or Security in respect of only ‘Loan’ is covered.

c)      Only individuals/ firms are covered in sub section 1.

d)      Companies / body corporates are not covered in above sub section

(2)  Following loan can be given by company to Any Person in whom directors are interested after fulfilling the Conditions mentioned below:

·        Advance any loan, including loan represented by a book debt

·        Give any guarantee in connection with any loan taken

·        Provide any security in connection with any loan taken

Any Person:

        i.            Any Private Company of which any such Director is a Director or member;

      ii.            Body Corporate in which 25% or more voting power rests with one or more directors;

    iii.            Body Corporate whose Board accustomed to act on directions of BOD or Directors of lending company

Conditions:

        i.            Special Resolution passed by the Company in General Meeting.

      ii.            The loans are utilized by the borrowing company for its principal business activities.

Points to be Kept in Mind while Complying according to this Section

a)      If borrower is Private Limited Company having common directors/ members then by using this sub section loan can be given.

b)      Body Corporate includes LLPs, threfore as per, point (ii) of any person L/G/S can be given to LLP also. [Condition 25% or more voting power vested with one or more director of lender Company together].

Food for Thought:

        i.            In case of Borrower if Public Limited Company and having common directors from Lender Company then whether Lender Company can give L/G/S ?

     ii.            Issue under Income Tax Act in case of loan given to a Company in which Director of Lender Company are members?

   iii.            What is meaning of “Principle Business Activity” for the borrower?

E.      PROCESS OF GIVEN OF LOAN UNDER SECTION 185:

As per above mentioned provisions of Section 185 (1) & (2) a Lender Company can give loan to following below mentioned person / entities.

Situatin I: In case of Lender Company giving loan to any entities (Group Private Limited 

                    Companies) as mentioned in Section 185(2)

        i.            Holding of Board Meeting: Lender Company have to hold a Board Meeting;

§  Pass Board resolituon [u/s 179 (3)(f)] (Passed Unanimous Board Resolutoin as per Section 186(5))

§  Pass resolution to call Extra ordinary General Meeting

§  Issue Notice of EGM

§  Check Limit of Loan/ G/ S as per Section 186(2) whether it is in limit or not.

     ii.            If Lender Company is Public Company then file the Board Resolution in e-form MGT-14 with Roc with in 30 days from the date of Board Meeting.

   iii.            Conveining of General Meeting: Hold the EGM and pass the Speical Resolution for granting loan, guarantee or security by mentioned following informations in the Explanatory Statement:

§  Full Particular of the loans given; or

§  Guarantee given or security provided and

§  The purpose for which the loan or guarantee or

§  security is proposed to be utilized by the recipient of the loan or guarantee or security and other relevant facts

    iv.            File MGT-14 with ROC: File copy of Speical Resolution along with explanatory statement with ROC in e-form MGT-14 within 30 days of EGM:

Other Conditions to be fulfiled:

      v.            Declaraiton from Brorrower: Take a declaration from the borrower Company that it will use this Loan for the Principle Business Activity only.

    vi.            Limits of L/G/S u/s 186(2): Check whether loan is in limit u/s 186(2) if not then whether Special Resolution for such has been passed or not. Limites as mentioned below:

§  60% of Paid up share capital + Free Reserve + Securities Premium Account OR

§  100% of Free Reserve + Securities Premium Account

 vii.            Approval of Public Financial Institution: If Loan is not covered in above mentioned Limit or there is any default in repaymtn of loan installments or payment of inerest by lender to public financial institution then before initiaiton loan to borrower take approval of public financial instituion also.

viii.            Disclosure by Lender: As per Section 186(4) Company shall disclose in the Financial statement full particular of Loan/ G/ S and purpose for which such L/G/S is proposed to be utilised by borrower.

    ix.            Interest on Loan u/s 186 (7): Loan shall be given at a rate of interest not lower than the prevailing yield of one year, three year, five year or then year Government security closest to the tenor of the laon.

Food for Thought:  (Authot shall share his thought on the below mentioned questions in his upcoming Article Series No 330)

        I.            Under Sub- Section (1) or (2) no where it is restricted that a Company can’t give loan to a Public Company having Common Director. Therefore, Whether a Company can give loan to Public Company (Borrower) without any restriction u/s 185.                                          OR

In simple language whether while given loan Section 185 shall be check in case of borrower is Public Limited Company?

     II.            Whether exemptions given to private limited Company by exemption notification dated 05^th June, 2015 shall continue or dis continue after notification of Section 185 of Companies Amendment Act, 2017?

   III.            Whether Company can pass single resolution for the transaction u/s 185(2) and 186(2)?

  IV.            Whether this section shall cover security or guarantee other than for loan?

    V.            Whether investment in shares shall attract provisions of Section 185?

  VI.            Whether a Company can give loan to subsidiary Company in Section 185(2)?

The Author shall publish series of editorial to cover all the situations of Section 185, FAQ’s in Provision of Section 185, Procedure of compliances u/s Section 185. So Please read the series in contunation. Next Series are as follow:

Ø  Series 329: Whether Company can give loan/ Guarantee/ Securities to Subsidiary or Wholly own Subsidiary Companies, if yes what are the provisions and compliances

Ø  Series 330: All the Situations / persons/ entities to whom a Company can give loan u/s 185

Ø  Series 331: Answers of all the Above mentioend questions shall be share in this series.

(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