Dear Share Holders :
Your Directors are pleased to present before you the 80th Annual Report
and the Audited Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31stMarch, 2024 :-
1. FINANCIAL RESULTS
(Rs. in Crores)
Sales & Other income |
1379.14 |
1436.97 |
Earnings before Interest, Tax and Depreciation |
134.39 |
144.70 |
-- Interest |
30.50 |
25.33 |
-- Depreciation |
26.77 |
26.63 |
Profit before tax |
77.12 |
92.74 |
-- Current Tax |
15.85 |
18.30 |
-- Deferred Tax / Taxes related to previous years |
5.65 |
4.30 |
Profit After Tax |
55.62 |
70.14 |
Surplus brought forward from previous year |
24.51 |
16.88 |
Transfer to General Reserves |
40.00 |
50.00 |
Interim Dividend |
12.50 |
12.50 |
Surplus carried forward |
27.63 |
24.52 |
2. PERFORMANCE
The annual turnover of the Company has declined by about 4.5% to
Rs. 1370.86 Crores during the current financial year against Rs. 1435.25 Crores in the
previous year.
The EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Tax and Depreciation) stood
at Rs. 134.39 Crores (9.80%) v/s Rs. 144.70 crores (10.08%) during the previous year.
After a charge of interest of Rs. 30.50 Crores (H 25.33 Crores),
depreciation of Rs. 26.77 Crores (H 26.63 Crores) and tax of Rs. 21.95 Crores (H 22.60
Crores), the Net Profit after tax came at Rs. 55.62 Crores (H 70.14 Crores) for the year.
The volume of our production & sales was higher as compared to the
last year. However, the sales of our high value products were affected due to continuous
pricing pressure and weak demand from FMCG / Pharma sector major users of our key
products. In consequence to the lower sales of high value products & lower offtake
thereof, our EBITDA and profit margins were adversely affected during the year. FMCG
sector has currently reported uptick in demand due to positive rural reponse and we expect
that our high value products will re-take the charge of our sales & profits during the
running year.
3. DIVIDEND AND DIVIDEND DISTRIBUTION POLICY
The Company had declared and paid an interim dividend of Rs. 8/- per
Equity Share of face value Rs. 10/- each (i.e. 80%) in the month of January, 2024. The
Board has considered the said interim dividend of Rs. 8 per equity share as the final
dividend for the financial year 2023-24 (H 8/- per equity share during FY 2022-23) in
order to conserve resources for future expansions in the operations of the Company. The
dividend recommended is in accordance with the Company's Dividend Distribution
Policy. The Policy, in terms of Regulation 43A of the Securities and Exchange Board of
India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 ('SEBI Listing
Regulations') is available on the Company's website on
https://www.sukhjitgroup.com/dividend-distribution-policy.
4. TRANSFER TO RESERVES
After payment of the interim dividend of Rs. 12.50
Crores in January, 2024, the Company has been left with a surplus Rs.
67.87 Crores out of which H40 Crores have been transferred to the general reserves (PY Rs.
50 Crores) and Rs. 27.87 Crores have been carried forward in the Retained Earnings
Account.
5. SHARE CAPITAL
The paid up share capital of the Company stood at Rs. 15.62 crores as
on 31.03.2024. There was no issue of fresh shares by way of public issue, bonus issue,
right or preferential issue during the financial year 2023-24.
6. CAPEX & WORKING CAPITAL POSITION
The total Net Block (including capital work-in progress) of the Company
appeared at Rs. 524.61 Crores as on
31.03.2024 against Rs. 512.53 Crores as on 31.03.2023 after providing
depreciation of Rs. 26.77 Crores during the year (H 26.63 Crores).
The Company has made a Capital expenditure (on addition of fixed
assets) of Rs. 39.50 Crores during the year on account of balancing / upgrading /
expansion of its existing manufacturing facilities. The Board of Directors has approved
Capital expenditure of Rs. 32 Crores for the financial year 2024-25, which will be used
for upgrading / modernizing some key equipment of the units to improve the operations and
scale up efficiencies at the existing locations. The proposed Cap-ex will be met out of
the internal accruals of the company. The Current Assets of the Company appeared at Rs.
462.72 Crores on 31.03.2024 as compared to Rs. 392.30 Crores on 31.03.2023 including
Inventories at Rs. 217.76 Crores against Rs. 167.67 Crores in the previous year due to
higher holding of the basic raw material, which is seasonally available. Prices of basic
raw material remained higher for most part of the year.
The company has long term Bank Borrowings of about 3.75 Crores (payable
in a period of one year after the end of the running financial year), net of the current
maturity of the term loans of Rs. 26.27 Crores payable till 31.03.2025.
The internal accruals of the company will be enough to take care of
this repayment & strengthen the working capital of the company. However, company has
liquid investments of Rs. 82.81 Crores against H 77.52 Crores last year as an additional
cushion to the liquidity of the company. The management believes that the Company has
sufficient liquid resources at hand to meet up any additional working capital requirements
/ other business exigencies.
7. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
As per SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements)
Regulations, 2015, Management Discussion and Analysis report is annexed herewith marked as
'Annexure A' and forms a part of this report.
8. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Your company is fully committed to the philosophy of transparency and
believes in conducting its business scrupulously with due compliance of all the applicable
laws, rules and regulations. In pursuance to the requirements of SEBI (Listing Obligations
and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, as amended to date, the report on the
Corporate Governance is annexed to this report marked as 'Annexure B'.
9. DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
Pursuant to Section 134 (3c) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Directors
state that: (a) in the preparation of the Annual Accounts for the financial year ended
31st March, 2024, the applicable Indian Accounting Standards have been followed and there
are no material departures; (b) appropriate accounting policies have been selected and
applied consistently and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so
as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of the
financial year and of the profit of the company for the years so ended; (c) proper and
sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safeguarding the assets of
the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities; (d) the
Annual Accounts for the year ended 31.03.2024, have been prepared on a 'going concern'
basis; (e) the internal financial controls have been laid down to be followed by the
company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and are operating
effectively; and (f) proper systems have been devised to ensure compliance with the
provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems are adequate and operating
effectively.
10. SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES AND CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Vijoy Steel & General Mills Company Ltd., Phagwara: The
Company held 96.17% of shares in the capital of The Vijoy Steel & the General Mills
Co. Ltd. The Company continued providing necessary engineering support to the
manufacturing operations of the Company.
Scott Industries Ltd., Phagwara: It held 99.97% of shares in the
capital of the Scott Industries Ltd. The Company has shut down its operations. Most of its
assets have been already disposed of and efforts are on to realize the old dues from its
customers and wind up the Company.
Sukhjit Mega Food Park & Infra Ltd., Phagwara: The Company
held 100% of shares in the capital of its material subsidiary Sukhjit Mega Food Park &
Infra Ltd. The Company had operationalised its project of the Mega Food Park in the state
of Punjab in FY 2020-21 creating a State of Art Technology Infrastructure for setting up
food processing units in the Mega Food Park. A good part of its assets have been leased
out and operationalised. The Company expects to improve its revenues during the coming
years. There has been no material change in the nature of business of the Subsidiaries. As
required under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,
2015, as amended to date, the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries are attached and have been prepared in accordance with the relevant Indian
Accounting Standard(s) as prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013. In pursuance to the
general circular issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the Balance Sheet, Profit
& Loss Account and other documents of the subsidiary companies are not being annexed
to the Balance Sheet of the Company. A statement containing the requisite financial
details of the company's subsidiaries for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024 is
annexed to the consolidated results forming part of the Annual Report.
In accordance with Section 136(1) of the Act, the audited financial
statements including the consolidated financial statements and related information of the
Company together with financial statements of each of the subsidiary companies, are
available on the Company's website at https://www. sukhjitgroup.com. The annual accounts
of these subsidiaries and the related detailed information will be made available on
demand, to any shareholder of the Company who may be interested in seeking such
information. Copies of the above documents are also available for inspection by any
shareholder of the Company at the registered office of the Company during business hours.
11. PARTICULARS OF REMUNERATION TO DIRECTORS AND DISCLOSURES
In terms of the provisions of section 197(12) of the Companies Act,
2013 read with Rules 5(2) and 5(3) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of
Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, the particulars of Directors / KMPs / Employees are set
out in the 'Annexure C ' to the Directors' Report.
12. DIRECTORS
(a) Smt. Manjoo Sardana (DIN: 08533106), Non Executive Chairperson of
the Company, is retiring by rotation and being eligible, offers herself for reappointment.
Board recommends her re-appointment as the Non Executive Chairperson of the Company.
(b) The existing tenure of Sh. Kuldip Krishan Sardana, Managing
Director of the Company (DIN: 00398376) expired on 30.04.2024. The Board had, in the best
interests of the Company, considered his re-appointment w.e.f 01.05.2024 to 30.09.2028
subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Company who has approved his
re-appointment through postal Ballot in April 2024. Sh. Kuldip Krishan Sardana has diverse
life long Managerial, Commercial & Administrative experience to his credit. He has
actively managed and administered all management functions of the Company and the company
has grown significantly under his able stewardship with new projects, expansions or
diversified product portfolios. He has remained a major driving force and a key resource
for the able guidance to all the senior executives of the company.
(c) The existing tenure of Sh. Vikas Uppal, a Non Executive Independent
Director of the Company (DIN : 00796828) is expiring on 20.01.2025. Sh. Vikas Uppal is
having long experience of over three decades in the manufacturing, administration and
management fields. The Board of Directors has recommended his re-appointment for a further
period of 5 years i.e. w.e.f. 21.01.2025 upto 20.01.2030, subject to the approval of
shareholder's in the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
(d) The existing tenure of Sh. Saravjit Singh Hothi as an Independent
Director of the Company is expiring on 30.05.2024 and he has expressed his inability to
continue as an Independent Director due to his pre-engagements. The Board, therefore,
considered his retirement and placed on record its deep appreciation for the services
rendered by the retiring Independent Director Sh. Saravjit Singh Hothi as a member of the
Board of Directors of the Company and Committees thereof. He regularly participated in all
Board Meetings and played a commendable role in the key decisions of the Board and
Committees relating to the growth of the Company or other areas concerning accountability,
transparency, compliance etc.
(e) The Board of Directors, in its meeting held on 29.05.2024, co-opted
Sh. Suresh Arora, I.P.S. (Retired), as an Additional Non-Executive Independent Director of
the Company to hold office for a period of five years from 29.05.2024 to 28.05.2029,
subject to the approval of the shareholders of the Company by way of special resolution in
the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
Sh. Suresh Arora is a retired I.P.S. officer and is Post Graduate in
law. He is also an associate member of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India
(ICSI). He has been the Chief Information Commissioner, Punjab from 2019 to 2023 after
serving as the Director General of Police, Punjab for a period of over three years i.e.
from 25.10.2015 to 07.02.2019. Prior to this, he worked on various key positions in the
State of Punjab. He has rich administrative, managerial & commercial experience to his
credit. Board, therefore, recommends his appointment as an Independent Director in the
best interest of the Company as his induction would enrich the functioning of the Board of
Directors.
(f) The Company has received declarations from all the Independent
Directors of the Company confirming that they meet the criteria of independence and comply
with all the requirements in pursuance to sub-section (6) of Section 149 of the Companies
Act, 2013 and SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, so
as to qualify themselves to be appointed / re-appointed or to continue as Independent
Directors under the provisions of the Act and rules there under. (g) Based on evaluation
criteria laid down under the Nomination and Remuneration Policy of the Company, framed in
accordance with the provisions of section 178 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Nomination
& Remuneration Committee rates the performance of the individual directors and also
the Board as a whole, which, inter-alia, include:
Evaluation of leadership abilities
Contribution to corporate objectives & growth
Regular monitoring of performance
Effective decision making ability
Attendance/Participationinthedeliberation of Board and Committee
meetings The Company has in place a suitable Policy for the Appointment & Remuneration
of the Directors / KMPs. The Company has devised the Board's Performance Evaluation
criteria for evaluation of Board's / Committees / Directors' performance. The
performance of the Committees was evaluated by the Board on the basis of the criteria such
as the composition of committees and effectiveness of committee meetings etc.
The Independent Directors in their Separate Meeting reviewed the
performance of Non - Independent Directors, the composition & performance of the Board
of Directors as a whole, frequency of Board meetings etc. The Independent Directors also
reviewed the performance & participation of the Chairperson of the Company. Such
proceedings were placed on record and discussed in the Board Meeting following the meeting
of the Independent Directors. The Board of Directors expressed their satisfaction over the
evaluation process.
13. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
Six (6) meetings of the Board of Directors were convened and held
during the financial year 2023-24. The maximum intervening gap between the meetings was
within the limits prescribed under the provisions of Section 173 of the Act and Listing
Regulations. The further details of Board / Committee Meetings including composition and
attendance are set out in the 'Annexure B' the Corporate Governance Report, forming
part of this Report.
14. AUDIT COMMITTEE
The powers, role and terms of reference of the Audit Committee cover
the areas as contemplated under Section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013 ('the Act') and
Regulation 18 of the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015, as applicable, besides other matters
as referred by the Board of Directors from time to time. The primary objectives of the
audit committee inter-alia include:
to monitor and provide an effective supervision of the
Management's financial reporting process,
to ensure accurate and timely disclosures with highest
levels of transparency, integrity and quality of financial reporting,
to oversee the financial reporting process by the
Management, the internal auditors and the independent auditors,
to take all possible measures to ensure the objectivity and
independence of the independent auditors.
The Committee mandatorily reviews information such as internal audit
reports related to internal control weakness, management discussion & analysis and
operational results, statement of significant related party transactions and such other
matters as prescribed. During the year under reference, the Audit Committee of the Company
consisted of Sh. Ranbir Singh Seehra as the Chairman, Sh. Vikas Uppal, Sh. Saravjit Singh
Hothi and Sh. M. G. Sharma as its members. All recommendations made by the Audit Committee
during the year were accepted by the Board.
15. INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS
Internal financial control systems of the company provide for proper
authorization of the transactions, timely recording & reporting in the desired manner
to ensure the reliability of financial reporting, timely feedback on the achievement of
operational or strategic goals and compliance with all the applicable laws &
regulations. The Internal & External Auditors of the Company also measure the
effectiveness of internal controls through periodical checks and ensure that company has
an effective internal control system duly commensurate with its size and nature of
business. The management reviews the systems periodically to systematically improve
business processes in regard to their effectiveness and efficiency The Company has
implemented audit trail on the books of accounts.
16. VIGIL MECHANISM
Pursuant to Section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013 & rules made
thereunder and the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations,
2015, the Company has established a vigil mechanism, which also incorporates a Whistle
Blower Policy, for Directors and employees of the Company to report genuine concerns of
unethical behavior or violation of code of conduct by way of direct access to the Chairman
of the Audit Committee. There are adequate safeguards against victimization of employees /
directors who express their concerns. The Whistle Blower Policy of the Company stands
placed on the Company's website at the link: https://
www.sukhjitgroup.com/whistle-blower-policy.
17. RISK MANAGEMENT POLICY
The company recognizes that the risk management and internal controls
are the key elements for sustainable working of an organization and good corporate
governance. It has formulated the Risk Management Policy which describes the manner in
which the company identifies, assesses, monitors and manages risks. The details of the
policy are available at company's website at https://www.sukhjitgroup.
com/risk-management-policy.
18. GENERAL DISCLOSURE
(i) All the deposits have been accepted / renewed / repaid as per the
provisions of the Companies Act. The company had no unclaimed / unpaid deposits on
31.03.2024. (ii) Unsecured Loans as on 31.03.2024 include Rs. 0.58 Crores (P.Y. Rs. 0.55
Crores) received from directors, which have been made out of their own funds and not from
the funds acquired by them by borrowing or accepting loans or deposits from others, as per
the declarations received from the concerned directors.
(iii) The Company has duly complied with Secretarial Standards issued
by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India on Meetings of the Board of Directors,
Committee Meetings and the General Meetings.
(iv) No shares have been issued during the year under reference with
differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise.
(v) There is no significant and material order passed by any Regulator,
Court, Tribunal which may impact the going concern status of the Company and Company's
operations in future.
(vi) There are no material changes or commitments affecting the
financial position of the Company which occurred between the end of the financial year to
the date of this report.
(vii) There is no Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process initiated
against the Company or any of its subsidiaries under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code,
2016.
(viii) There is no change in the nature of company's business during
the year under review.
(ix) There was no instance of fraud during the year under reference
which required the Statutory Auditors to report to the Audit Committee and / or to the
Board under Section 143(12) of Act and Rules made there under.
(x) The Board has constituted an Internal Committee for redressal of
grievance(s) / complaint(s) (if any) under the provisions of the ''Sexual Harassment of
Woman at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013''. The committee has
not received any complaint during the year under reference. (xi) In view of the
relaxation(s) granted by MCA / SEBI and as per the Green Initiative taken by MCA, the
Company has been serving to its shareholders all Notices, communications / documents
including Annual Reports, Circulars etc. through electronic mode. (xii) There has been no
default in repayment of deposits or payment of interest there on during the year.
(xiii) There was no instance during the year where the recommendations
of any committee were not accepted by the Board.
(xiv) There was no instance of one time settlement with any Bank or
Institution.
19. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)
The report on Corporate Social Responsibility activities carried out
during the financial year 2023-24 is annexed herewith marked as 'Annexure D' forms
part of this report.
20. INSIDER TRADING PREVENTION CODE
Pursuant to the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of
India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 and amendments thereto, the
Company has adopted an Internal Code of Conduct for Regulating, Monitoring and Reporting
of Trades in securities of the Company by the Designated Persons. The Code seeks to
prevent Insider Trading by the Directors and other Designated Persons who are considered
to have access to the Unpublished Price Sensitive Information relating to the Company.
21. CONTRACTS OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH RELATED PARTIES
The Company has not entered into any material transaction with its
Directors, Key Managerial Personnel or their Relatives which could have potential conflict
with the interest of the Company. The salaries / remuneration of the directors and KMPs
have been fixed after due consideration and approval by the Nomination and Remuneration
Committee / Board / Shareholders as per applicable provisions of the Act. The transactions
with the subsidiary companies mainly include the supply of some key infrastructural
facilities and utilities by Sukhjit Mega Food Park and Infra Ltd., which is a wholly owned
subsidiary of the Company. However, the transactions with subsidiary Companies are
incurred after due appraisal, approval(s) at appropriate levels and omnibus approval by
the Audit Committee / Board, which are in the ordinary course of business and are at an
arm's length price. In terms of INDAS-24, the details of such transactions are duly
presented in the Notes to Accounts forming part of the Annual Report. Policy on related
party transactions of the company appears on the Company's website at the link: https://
www.sukhjitgroup.com/policy-on-dealing-with-related-party-transactions.
22. PARTICULARS OF LOANS GIVEN, INVESTMENTS MADE, GUARANTEES GIVEN AND
SECURITIES PROVIDED
Particulars of loans given and Investments made by the Company are
provided in the standalone financial statements. The Company has given / provided some
Guarantees / Securities to the Govt. / other Departments in the ordinary course of
business. The company has also provided Corporate guarantee(s) for Rs. 40 Crores to the
Yes Bank Ltd. against the Term Loan for setting up the Mega Food Park by its wholly owned
subsidiary M/s Sukhjit Mega Food Park & Infra Ltd. The outstanding balance of term
loan appeared at Rs. 18 Crores due to the Yes Bank Ltd. as on 31.03.2024. There is no
other Guarantee / third party Guarantee / security given / provided by the Company.
23. EXTRACT OF ANNUAL RETURN
Extract of the Annual Return of the Company is annexed herewith as 'Annexure
E' to this report. A copy of the same has also been placed on Company's website at the
link : https://www.sukhjitgroup.com/ annual-return.
24. CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE
EARNINGS AND OUTGO
The necessary details are annexed herewith as 'Annexure F' to
this report.
25. TRANSFER TO INVESTOR EDUCATION & PROTECTION FUND (IEPF)
Pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 read
with the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and
Refund) Rules, 2016 (IEPF Rules), the company has transferred 8,000 shares to the demat
account of the IEPF Authority during FY 2023-24 on which dividend has not been paid /
claimed by the shareholders for 7 (seven) consecutive years or more.
26. AUDITORS AND AUDITORS' REPORT
Statutory Auditors:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 139 and 142 of The Companies Act,
2013 and other applicable provisions, if any, of the Companies Act, 2013 or any amendments
or enactments thereof, M/s Y K Sud & Co., Chartered Accountants (FRN 000047N) were
appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company in the Annual General Meeting held on
12/08/2022 for a period of 5 years and their tenure expires on the conclusion of 83rd
Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held in the year 2027. They have confirmed
their eligibility to be appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company. The Company has
paid a sum of _ 7.08 Lakhs (incl. GST) (PY _ 7.08 Lakhs) to M/s Y K Sud & Co.,
Chartered Accountants as audit fees during the Financial Year ended 31st March, 2024.
The Auditors' report for the financial year ended 31.03.2024 does
not have any qualification, reservation, adverse remark or disclaimer by the statutory
auditors.
Cost Auditors:
The Board of Directors recommends the re-appointment of M/s Khushwinder
Kumar & Associates, Cost Accountants, as Cost Auditors of the Company for the
financial year 2024 - 25, subject to the approval of the Central Government. The Cost
Audit Report for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024 is due to be filed with the
Ministry of Corporate affairs on or before the 30th September, 2024 and the cost audit
report for the financial year ended 31/03/2023 was duly filed within the due dates.
Secretarial Auditors:
The Board has re-appointed M/s Dinesh Gupta & Co., Practicing
Company Secretaries, as Secretarial Auditors for the Financial Year 2024-25. The
Secretarial Audit Report for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024, in relation to
compliance of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013 and all applicable SEBI Regulations /
circulars / guidelines issued thereunder, pursuant to requirement of Regulation 24A of
Listing Regulations along with the Secretarial Audit Report of the material subsidiary
company is set out in 'Annexure H' to this report. The Secretarial Audit Report
does not contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remark.
27. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Your Directors hereby acknowledge the dedication, loyalty, hard work
and committed services of the executives, staff & workers of the Company. They also
like to place on record their appreciation for the continued co-operation and support
received by the Company during the year from bankers, financial institutions, government
authorities, business associates, shareholders, vendors, customers and other stakeholders
and for the confidence reposed in the Company and its management and look forward to their
continued support.
|
Yours truly, |
|
For and on behalf of the Board, |
sd/- |
sd/- |
MANJOO SARDANA |
K. K. SARDANA |
Chairperson |
Managing Director |
Dated: 29th May, 2024 |
|