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LS takes up Companies Bill

Last Updated 18 December 2012, 20:26 IST

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday took up for consideration the Companies Bill which seeks to further improve corporate governance, with the government saying that the proposed legislation was aimed at protecting the interest of small investors and making India an attractive destination.

Moving the bill, Corporate Affairs Minister Sachin Pilot said the proposed legislation had been finalised after studies on corporate governance in France and Indonesia. Under the new law for companies, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending would be the responsibility of companies like their tax liabilities, he said.

He also talked about provision to keep a tab on exorbitant remunerations for the board of directors and other executives of the companies to protect the interest of shareholders and workmen.

Pilot also informed the House that there would be enough provisions to deal with fly by night companies to protect the interest of small investors. About safeguard for workers, he said the new law mandates payment of two years’ salary to employees in companies which wind up. This liability would be overriding.

He said people would look at India as a safe investment destination once the new law came into force.

Pilot said that private companies, which maximising their growth, have responsibility towards society besides equitable and sustainable growth of the country. Under the bill CSR spending would become compulsory for companies that meet certain criteria. Firms having Rs 5 crore or more profits in the last three years have to spend on CSR activities. One of the major proposals is that companies have to mandatorily spend two per cent of their average net profit for CSR activities.

The changes, once in place, would amend the Companies Bill that has been in force since 1956.If companies are unable to meet CSR norms, they will have to give explanations. In case, the companies are not able to do the same, they have to disclose reasons in their books. Otherwise, they would face action, including penalty.

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(Published 18 December 2012, 20:26 IST)

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