The new Companies Act spells serious trouble for directors of any private or public company that has not filed for three years its annual returns or audited financial statements, and the board’s report. The new Act, which came into effect from April 1, disqualifies such directors for a period of five years, including the company in which the default has occurred. Private companies were not included in disqualification provisions under the Companies Act, 1956.
About 13.95 lakh companies were registered with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) at the end of March 2014. Of this, about 9.52 lakh companies remain active. Interestingly, just 25 directors were disqualified under the Companies Act, 1956, till March 25, according to data with the ministry of corporate affairs (MCA). Of these, 16 were disqualified as their companies failed to file annual accounts and returns.
About 25-30% of the active registered companies would be in default if the new provisions are applied, says K S Ravichandran, partner, KSR & Co Company Secretaries. Many private and public companies have not filed returns, statements and reports for several years.
BIIA editorial comment: This previous lack of compliance was detrimental to transparency and the new enforcement regime is long overdue.
Source: Economic Times India
