We have audited the accompanying standalone financial statements of Asian Hotels (North) Limited (“the Company”), which comprises of the Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2024, the statement of Profit and Loss (including other comprehensive income), the Statement of Changes in Equity and Statement of Cash Flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of material accounting policies and other explanatory information.
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the aforesaid standalone financial statements gives the information required by the Companies Act, 2013 (“the Act”) in the manner so required and gives a true and fair view in conformity with the Indian Accounting Standards prescribed under section 133 of the Act read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, as amended, (“Ind AS”) and other accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of affairs as at 31st March 2024, and its loss, total comprehensive income, its cash flows and the changes in equity for the year ended on that date.
Emphasis of Matters
We draw attention to the following matters in the Notes to the standalone financial statements:
A. Contingent Liabilities
We draw attention to Note 33 which describes the uncertainty related to the outcome of certain disputes and law-suits filed
against the Company. The impact (if any) of these disputes/law-suits on the standalone financial statements of the Company
could not be ascertained.
B. Status of Secured and Unsecured Borrowings
- We draw attention to Note 18 to the Financial Statements relating to long term borrowings. As a fallout of the COVID-19 in India in April 2020, the RBI had issued Resolution Framework for One Time Restructuring. In accordance to the same, the financial institution lenders entered into an Inter-Creditor Agreement on December 23, 2020 invoking the resolution process. As per the terms of the One Time Restructuring, the Company was required to infuse additional funds by way of CRE Sales and also equity investment. However, the Company was unable to do either due to reasons specified in the said Notes and the matter is now sub-judice before the High Court of New Delhi..
- Accordingly, the Company has been unable to repay various Installments due till 31st March, 2024 as per OTR Sanction letter issued by the respective secured lenders amounting to Rs. 17,165.81 Lakhs (in aggregate for all secured lenders taken together) and Interest payment amounting to Rs. 19,136.04 Lakhs (in aggregate for all secured lenders taken together). Overdraft Facilities are overdue as on March 31, 2024 worth Rs. 4494.22 Lakhs. Also company unable to pay dues of unsecured lenders amounting to Rs.1340.68 Lakhs (Principal & Interest) due restriction imposed by secured lenders.
- As per Note 18 to the Financial Statements, as per the management, the delay was due to non-receipt of NOC for such sale from the lender banks despite several reminders and delay in capital infusion by prospective investor due to recover action initiated by lenders. The account of the Company has been marked as NPA by all the lender banks, but, the Company is not in agreement to the same as the lender banks did not implement the OTR due to reasons specified above. The Company has also challenged the loan recall notices issued by the banks in Delhi High Court & that the Hon'ble High Court has granted stay on all such actions and the said matter is sub-judice.
- The Company has also argued that recovery actions of other lenders are inconsistent with Interim order passed by the Hon'ble Delhi High Court vide order dated 24/02/2022. Hon'ble Delhi High Court vide its order dated 02/03/2023 directed all lenders to comply with the order dated 24/02/2022 & stay all recovery actions till further decision.
- As per Note 21 to the Financial Statements, the balance in Cut Back account was INR 38.73 Lakhs as at 31st March, 2024. The lender banks and the Company had initially agreed to a 10% cut back (against the revenue receipts in the Bank Account of the Company) which will be adjusted against the principal outstanding as of 1st March, 2020. The lender banks in the meeting held in the month of April 2023 have proposed to increase the cut back to 12.5%. During the year cutback is increased to 12.5%. The Company does not expect any material issues arising from the same on the cash flows of the Company.
- Further, secured loans granted by four lenders have been assigned. The Company has also agreed one-time settlement with one of the lenders and has paid some deposit towards the same during Q3 2023-24 (Refer Note 45 to the Financial Statements). Moreover, the Company is trying to obtain settlement with other secured lenders also.
C. Current Status of Business Operations and ability to continue as a Going Concern
We draw attention to Note 46 to the Financial Statements relating to the Current Status of Business Operations. The Company's financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the utilization of assets and the satisfaction of obligations in the normal course of business.
The operating profitability for the Company is improving significantly and it will be further aided by several cost reduction measures being adopted by the Company. The Company is in amicable discussions with Banks and Financial Institutions, to resolve financial matters in the best interest for bankers as well as shareholders. The Management is confident that its planned financial settlement will enable the Company to continue as a going concern.
D. Loss of control over Foreign Subsidiaries
We draw attention to Note 43 to the Financial Statements. In respect of foreign subsidiaries, i.e., M/s Fineline Hospitality & Consultancy Pte Ltd. (FHCPL) & M/s Lexon Hotels Venture Ltd., Mauritius (Lexon) notice for appointment of liquidator has been accepted by the competent authority in Mauritius.
Further, during the year liquidation order is being passed by competent authority in Mauritius for liquidation of Fineline Hospitality & Consultancy Pte Ltd. (FHCPL) & Lexon Hotels Venture Ltd., Mauritius (Lexon). Accordingly, the Company will not be presenting Consolidated Financial Statements.
E. Deferred Tax Assets
We draw attention to Note 8 to the Financial Statements. Deferred Tax Asset is not recognised during the financial year on additional business loss / unabsorbed depreciation following the concept of prudence. Deferred Tax Assets created till March 31, 2020 have not been reversed as the Company has made operational profits during FY 2023-24 and the Management has drawn plans for further improving profitability including increase of profitability through business lines such as Commercial Real Estate Sales, infusion of funds etc and settlement with the lenders. Accordingly, recognition of any additional Deferred Tax Asset in future shall be dependent on achieving / improving profitability in line with the relevant Accounting Standards. In case the standard is not met, the amount of Deferred Tax Asset outstanding in the books of account shall be reversed.
F. Payment of Penalty to SEBI
We draw attention to Note 51 to the Financial Statements. Company has paid penalty amounting to INR 6,00,000/- (Six Lakhs) on May 09, 2024 to the Securities and Exchange Board of India ('SEBI') pursuant to adjudication order dated April 25, 2024 issued by SEBI pursuant to the violation of Regulation 4(1)(d), (e) & (h) and Regulation 30 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2015.
G. Disposal of controlling stake by Promoter Groups entities
We draw attention to Note 16(c) & (d) to the Financial Statements. During the year the Promoter & Promoter Groups entities Shareholding was reduced from 50.69% to 0.16% as Fineline Holdings Ltd., Mauritius and Yans Enterprises (H.K.) Ltd. sold off its entire shareholding. Shares are transferred to DBS Bank Limited, Narendra Kumar Ramesh Chandra Raval, Mrs. Shreya Agarwal & Mr. Manohar Tikamdas Ruprell. Due to such disposal Promotors losses controlling stake in the company & also “Promoter & Promoter Groups” seeking to reclassification from “Promoter & Promoter Groups” category to “Public” category. The request was subsequently approved by the Board of Directors and Shareholders of the Company on May 10, 2024.
Our opinion is not modified in respect of the above matter's “A” to “G” above.
We conducted our audit of the standalone financial statements in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (SAs) specified under section 143(10) of the Act. Our responsibilities under those Standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the Code of Ethics issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements under the provisions of the Act and the rules thereunder, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the ICAI's Code of Ethics. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion on the standalone financial statements.
Key Audit Matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in tormina our oDinion thereon, and we do not Drovide a seoarate oDinion on these matters.
Key Audit Matter Description
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Response to Key Audit Matter
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A. Assessment of recoverability of Deferred Tax
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Principal Audit Procedures
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Assets recognized on tax losses (Refer Note 8 to the Financial Statements.)
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Our procedures included. amongst others, the following:
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- The Company had recognised deferred tax assets on unabsorbed depreciation and deductions based on actual payments (together hereinafter referred to as “tax losses”) incurred till FY 2020-
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(i) Evaluation of the design and testing pertaining to effectiveness of Company's controls relating to taxation and the assessment of carrying amount of deferred tax assets relating to unabsorbed tax losses;
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21. The assets have been recognised on the
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(ii) Assessing the reasonableness of the period of projections
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basis of the Company's assessment of availability
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used in the deferred tax asset recoverability assessment
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of future taxable profit to offset such tax losses
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considering that the Company operates in a highly
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based on business projections for the future
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competitive industry which is subject to disruptions through
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years.
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changing macro scenario;
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- The recoverability of the deferred tax assets
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(iii) Comparing the Company's performance for the year with
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depends upon factors such as the projected
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the approved budget to assess the reasonableness of the
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taxable profitability of business and the period
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assumptions;
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considered for such projections, the rate at which those profits will be taxed and the period over which tax losses will be available for recovery.
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(iv) Comparing the Company's projections of future taxable profit to the approved business plans;
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This was considered as a key audit matter as the amount is material to the financial statements and significant judgement in key assumptions was required by the Company's Management in the preparation of forecasts of future taxable profits based on the
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(v) Testing, whether projections prepared were consistent with our understanding and knowledge of current business and the general economic environment in which the Company operates and whether the tax losses can be utilized within the forecast recoupment period;
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underlying business plans.
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(vi) Testing the assumptions used by analyzing the impact on
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taxable profit using different growth rates and profit margins;
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(vii) Reviewing the adequacy of disclosures made in the financial
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statements with regard to deferred taxes.
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Following the concept of prudence the Company has not recognized fresh deferred tax assets on the additional losses incurred in FY 2021-22 and onwards. Based on the above procedures performed, our testing did not identify any material exceptions with respect to the reasonability of the assumptions and estimates used by the management in assessing the recoverability of Deferred Tax Asset recognised in respect of tax Losses in the past. However, the evaluation process is ongoing and in case of non-realization of the planned results, the Deferred Tax Asset already recognized in the past may require reversal in line with the relevant accounting standards.
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B. Assessment of ability to continue as Going
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Our procedures included, amongst others, the following:
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Concern
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(i) Evaluation of the design and testing pertaining to
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- The Company has earned operational profits
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effectiveness of Company's controls relating to evaluation of
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during FY 2022-23 & FY 2023-24.
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Going Concern Assumption;
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- Due to the creation of provision for diminution
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(ii) Assessing the reasonableness of the period of projections
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in the value of investment in the Subsidiary
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used in One Time Restructuring Proposals submitted to the
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Company in FY 2020-21, the Net Worth of the
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lenders under RBI Resolution Framework for resolution of
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Company as at 31st March, 2024 is affected.
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stressed assets on account of COVID-19 situation;
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- The Company had approached the lenders for
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(iii) Reviewing actions undertaken by management to monetize
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One Time Restructuring and that majority lenders
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CRE Assets;
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had invoked the One Time Restructuring plan in line with RBI Resolution Framework.
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(iv) Comparing the Company's projections of future taxable profit to the approved business plans;
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- The Company was unable to repay its loan instalments as per the One Time Restructuring Plan on account of non-receipt of NOC for CRE
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(v) Evaluation of Operating Financial Results of Companies operating in Comparable segments / industries
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sales from the lenders and action taken by a
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(vi) Evaluating existence of any long term arrangements
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lender to recall the loan due to which proposed
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confirming the ability of the Company to continue as a going
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equity infusion by the prospective investor did not
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concern.
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go through. The company is in discussion with the lenders for financial settlement.
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(vii) Reviewing the adequacy of disclosures made in the financial statements with regard to Status of Business Operations.
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- The ability of the Company to resolve the ongoing issues with the lenders and complete the financial settlement will be critical in its continuation as a Going Concern.
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Based on the above procedures performed, our testing did not identify any material exceptions with respect to the reasonability of the usage of Going Concern assumption as at 31st March, 2024. However, the same will be subject to on-going review and
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This was considered as a key audit matter as the ability to
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assessment during FY 2024-25 as the ability of the Company
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continue as a going concern is material to the preparation
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to continue as a Going Concern will be greatly dependent on
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of financial statements.
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financial settlement with the lenders.
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Other Matters
The Company has total MSME dues as at 31st March, 2024 amounting to INR 287.97 Lakhs which are outstanding for a period beyond 45 days as stipulated in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Act, 2006. As per Section 16 of the said Act, the Company is required to pay interest on such delayed payments amounting to INR 10.43 Lakhs. As per the Company, the delay in payments is on account of temporary financial difficulties which had increased on account of COVID-19 situation affecting the Hospitality Industry in particular and that it will clear all MSME dues at the earliest.
Information Other than the Standalone Financial Statements and Auditor's Report Thereon
The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for the preparation of the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Management Discussion and Analysis, Board's Report including Annexures to Board's Report, Business Responsibility Report, Corporate Governance and Shareholder's Information, but does not include the standalone financial statements and our auditor's report thereon.
Our opinion on the standalone financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the standalone financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the standalone financial statements or our knowledge obtained during the course of our audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information; we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.
Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Standalone Financial Statements
The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for the matters stated in section 134(5) of the Act with respect to the preparation of these standalone financial statements that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance, changes in equity and cash flows of the Company in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, including the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) specified under Section 133 of the Act.
This responsibility also includes maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding of the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate implementation and maintenance of accounting policies; making judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls, that were operating effectively for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, relevant to the preparation and presentation of the financial statement that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. Those Board of Directors are also responsible for overseeing the Company's financial reporting process.
Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with SAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with SAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. Under section 143(3)(i) of the Act, we are also responsible for expressing our opinion on whether the company has adequate internal financial controls system in place and the operating effectiveness of such controls.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
• Conclude on the appropriateness of management's use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor's report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor's report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
Materiality is the magnitude of misstatements in the standalone financial statements that, individually or in aggregate, makes it probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable user of the standalone financial statements may be influenced. We consider quantitative materiality and qualitative factors in (i) planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the results of our work; and (ii) to evaluate the effect of any identified misstatements in the standalone financial statements.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding
independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the standalone financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor's report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.
Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements
1. As required by the Companies (Auditor's Report) Order, 2020 (“the Order”) issued by the Central Government of India in terms of sub-section (11) of section 143 of the Act, we give in the Annexure A, a statement on the matters specified in the paragraph 3 and 4 of the order, to the extent applicable.
(A) As required by Section 143 (3) of the Act, we report that:
a. We have sought and obtained all the information and explanations which to the best of our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of our audit.
b. In our opinion proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the Company so far as it appears from our examination of those books However, the backup of the some part of books of accounts, other books and papers maintained in electronic mode has not been maintained on servers physically located in India on daily basis ;
c. The balance sheet, the statement of profit and loss and the cash flow statement dealt with by this Report are in agreement with the books of account;
d. In our opinion, the aforesaid standalone financial statements comply with the Indian Accounting Standards specified under Section 133 of the Act, read with Rule 7 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014;
e. On the basis of the written representations received from the directors as on 31st March 2024 taken on record by the Board of Directors, none of the directors is disqualified as on 31st March 2024 from being appointed as a director in terms of Section 164 (2) of the Act;
f. With respect to the adequacy of the internal financial controls over financial reporting of the Company and the operating effectiveness of such controls, refer to our separate report in “Annexure B”;
(B) With respect to the other matters to be included in the Auditor's Report in accordance with Rule 11 of the Companies
(Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given
to us:
i. the Company has disclosed the impact, wherever necessary, of pending litigations on its financial position in its financial statements - Refer Note 34 to the financial statements;
ii. the Company has made provision, as required under the applicable law or Indian Accounting Standards, for material foreseeable losses, if any, on long-term contracts including derivative contracts;
iii. There has been no delay in transferring amounts, required to be transferred, to the Investor Education and Protection Fund by the Company.
iv. The Management has represented that, to the best of it's knowledge and belief, no funds have been advanced or loaned or invested (either from borrowed funds or share premium or any other sources or kind of funds) by the Company to or in any other person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities (“Intermediaries”), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Intermediary shall, directly or indirectly lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Company (“Ultimate Beneficiaries”) or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries.
v. The Management has represented, that, to the best of it's knowledge and belief , no funds have been received by the Company from any person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities (“Funding Parties”), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Company shall, directly or indirectly, lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Funding Party (“Ultimate Beneficiaries”) or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries.
vi. Based on the audit procedures performed that have been considered reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, nothing has come to my/our notice that has caused me/us to believe that the representations under sub-clause (i) and (ii) of Rule 11(e) contain any material mis-statement.
vii. The company has not declared or paid any dividend during the financial year ended 31st March, 2024 and thus the reporting requirement as per Rule 11(f) is not applicable.
viii. Based on our examination, which included test checks, the Company has used accounting softwares for maintaining its books of account for the year ended March 31, 2024, which has a feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility and the same has operated throughout the year for all relevant transactions recorded in the softwares. Further, during the course of our audit we did not come across any instance of the audit trail feature being tampered with.
(C) With respect to the matter to be included in the Auditors' Report under Section 197(16) of the Act:
In our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to us, the remuneration paid by the Company to its directors during the current year is in accordance with the provisions of Section 197 of the Act. The remuneration paid to any director is not in excess of the limit laid down under Section 197 of the Act. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs has not prescribed other details under Section 197(16) which are required to be commented upon by us.
For, V V Kale & Co
Chartered Accountants Firm Reg. Number: 000897N
Vijay V. Kale
Partner
Membership No: 080821 UDIN: 24080821BKEJHY1981
Place: New Delhi Date: May 29, 2024
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