Dear Members,
Your Directors are pleased to present the 28th Annual Report
together with the Audited Financial Statements of the Company for the Financial Year ended
31st March 2024.
FINANCIAL RESULTS ?, n CrQre
|
2023-24 |
2022-23 |
Sales & Other Income |
1,174.36 |
1,032.26 |
Profit before Interest, Depreciation &
Tax (EBIDTA) |
196.89 |
135.04 |
Profit before Depreciation & Tax (PBDT) |
128.96 |
87.48 |
Profit before Tax |
84.78 |
50.48 |
Profit after Tax (PAT) |
62.88 |
35.10 |
Surplus/(Deficit) brought forward |
109.22 |
74.12 |
Surplus carried to Balance Sheet |
172.10 |
109.22 |
RIGHTS ISSUE OF EQUITY SHARES
During the year, the Company successfully completed the Rights Issue of
' 448 Crore. The Rights Issue was open from 21st June 2023 to 5th
July 2023 and was oversubscribed by 32%. After the allotment of Equity Shares in Rights
Issue, the Issued, Subscribed and Paid-up Equity Share Capital of the Company increased
from ' 124.56 Crore to ' 224.22 Crore and the shares were listed at BSE Ltd.
REDEMPTION OF DEBENTURES
Your Company had issued and allotted 3,500 nos. of Secured Rated Listed
Guaranteed Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures ("NCDs") of face value of '
10,00,000 (Rupees Ten Lac) each for cash at par aggregating ' 350 Crore (Rupees Three
Hundred Fifty Crore) During the year, the Company by exercising its Call Option, has fully
redeemed the said NCDs of ' 350 Crore.
PROGRESS OF THE PROJECTS & EXPANSION
Your Company has successfully completed its Expansion Project -
involving additional Clinker Line of 1.50 Million Tonnes Per Annum and Cement Grinding
Unit of 2.50 Million Tonnes Per Annum. With this the Total Clinker Capacity stands doubled
viz., from 1.50 Million Tonnes Per Annum to 3.00 Million Tonnes Per Annum (Phase I) and
Total Cement Capacity stands enhanced from 2.20 Million Tonnes Per Annum to 4.70 Million
Tonnes Per Annum (Phase II). Your Company stands well aligned on the right path to
strengthen its existing base and make deeper penetration in the market.
LISTING OF SHARES
The Directors are pleased to inform that the Equity Shares of the
Company have been listed on National Stock Exchange of India Ltd. w.e.f. 23rd
April 2024 to provide more liquidity and enhanced visibility to the Equity Shares of the
Company.
PERFORMANCE REVIEW
Indian economy continued to grow at a fast pace in FY23-24 beating the
7% mark. According to IMF, the growth trajectory for India in FY24-25 is to remain in
similar order. To keep in pace with India's growth and growing space for infrastructure
your Company is already set forth in right direction. In FY 2023-24, your Company achieved
a combined growth of Cement (Incl. Clinker) Volume in the order of 28% on YoY basis.
The Company also reaped benefits of lowered fuel prices (Petcoke and
coal) and thereby other input costs which have positively impacted the profitability. Your
Company continues working on adopting innovative solutions such as waste heat recovery,
solar or renewable energy and improving its operational efficiencies at all levels and
maximizing its realisation per tonne by optimising the product mix, introduction of new
brands and augmenting the distribution network and optimising its distribution cost. The
Company has always followed the philosophy of sustainable growth. Share of renewable
energy stood at 43% of our total energy basket. Similarly, we are continuously working to
increase the use of Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials (AFR); reduce water consumption;
and reduce carbon emissions. These measures towards sustainable operations shall stand in
good stead in time to come and help the Company to raise finances at a lower cost for its
future growth plans and ambitions. It may be noted that due to efficiencies displayed by
your Company and effective management strategies, we were able to grow to current levels.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
Your Company is pleased to mention some of the prestigious awards and
accolades won during the year:
Fastest Growing Cement Company in India's small category at the
Indian Cement Review Awards.
Economic Times Iconic Brand of India.
Our Brand Platinum Heavy Duty Cement awarded as "Economic
Times Promising Brand of India 2022" (Received in 2023).
21st Greentech Foundation Awards 2023 for outstanding
achievement in Safety Excellence and Construction Safety.
"Gold Award in Safety Excellence Category" instituted
by " FAME" (Foundation for Accelerated Mass Empowerment).
CII's 24th National Award for Excellence in Energy
Management.
CII's Performance Excellence Awards 2023 for Solar, Wind and
Hybrid Plants, UCWL was awarded for "Excellence in Performance" under
"Ground Mounted Solar Category".
JKO Customer champion Awards (Team Category)
INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS
The Company has in place a strong Internal Financial Control System,
Policies & Procedures which ensures accuracy & completeness of Accounting Records
and helps also in timely preparation of the reliable Financial Statements. These Internal
Financial Control Systems are designed for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for
the prevention and detection of errors & frauds commensurate with the size, nature
& complexities of the Operations of the Company. These Policies & Procedures were
found by the Statutory Auditors of the Company to be adequate for smooth, orderly &
efficient conduct of the business of the Company.
The Company has in place specific Standard Operating Practices (SOPs)
for its various functions. These SOPs are periodically reviewed by the External &
Internal Auditors of the Company and exceptions are reported for corrective actions.
The Internal Financial Control Systems are regularly reviewed to ensure
their effectiveness, taking into account the essential components of Internal Financial
Controls as stated in the Guidance Note on the Audit of Internal Financial Controls over
Financial Reporting issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Based on
such assessments carried out by the Management, no reportable material weaknesses in the
adequacy in the System of Operations of Internal Financial Controls were observed during
the year.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Serving the society towards improving the quality of life of the
community at large has always been a priority of your Company. The concept of socially
responsible business is deeply ingrained in our corporate DNA right from the inception and
since we have been pioneering and delivering multiple need based and high impact CSR
projects for needy and vulnerable communities & families living around our business
operations. The Company's CSR vision clearly states to strengthen community relationship
and to bring sustainable change in the quality of life of neighborhood community through
innovative solutions in Education, Health, Water & Sanitation, Skills Development,
Livelihood Promotion and Rural Development.
CSR is the continuing commitment by the Company to behave ethically and
contribute to economic development, while improving the quality of life of the work force,
their families as well as of the local community and society at large. The Company is
committed to bring long term transformational changes in the lives of the neighborhood
communities of the plant through sustainable and impactful projects around the key
development issues in the local area. Through its various CSR projects the Company has
been able to directly impact and bring positive changes in the lives of more than 40,000
people living in the villages around the plant at Dabok in Udaipur.
During the reporting year the Company designed and implemented
community need based CSR projects and targeted marginalised & vulnerable families with
an aim to improve their lives through projects like UCWL Aarogya, Vidya, Aajivika, Swajal
& Swachhta, Gramin Vikas, Kaushal Prashikshan etc. Some of the key initiatives taken
during the reporting year were health camps, career counselling program for Standard X-XII
students in government schools, schools' infrastructure development, job linked skill
development training and placement for school & college drop-outs, agriculture and
livestock development, rural infrastructure development among others.
The Company demonstrated its commitments towards inclusive development
and implemented several "Ongoing Projects" in thrust areas of Health; Water
& Sanitation; Education, Skilling & Livelihoods and Rural Development. Under UCWL
Aarogya project regular health camps were organized to provide quality health services at
the doorsteps, which benefitted more than 21000 people. Under UCWL Vidya project career
counselling sessions were organized for students in the government schools; schoolbags
with inbuilt detachable table were provided to more than 500 students of government
primary school; Jawahar Navodaya Entrance Examination Coaching was started for Standard V
students and several eye and dental camps were organized in government schools. To improve
livelihoods under Project Aajivika, the Company undertook multiple on-farm and off-farm
activities including employability skills trainings viz. dairy & vermicompost,
domestic home appliances repairing, artificial jewellery making etc. to support youths,
women and families to ensure sustainable income. Number of youths were provided
employability trainings and were facilitated for the placement locally. Number of small
and marginal farmers were supported with soil testing, seeds, and training on improved
agriculture practices. Livestockdevelopment has also been one of the key activities to
strengthen livelihoods of the communities and families. As a part of livestock
development, the Company had undertaken door-to-door veterinary services including
infertility treatment, awareness on disease management and fodder development in villages.
Under UCWL Aajivika Project, vermicompost support was provided to number of farmers which
resulted in reduction in the use of chemical fertilizer and increase in family income. To
give impetus to youth skilling & education, the Company had set up skilling centre.
Under UCWL Swajal & Swacchta project the Company undertook repair of anicut for
watershed development among others. Under UCWL Gramin Vikas project, the Company undertook
renovation of Gram Panchayat building, constructed washroom & changing room for women.
The Company also undertook repair of government school buildings in the plant nearby area.
Your Company is also promoting employee engagement in various CSR
projects to create socially responsible behaviour among its employees.
The Company received number of appreciation letters for its meaningful
and life changing CSR initiatives during the year.
The Company has requisite Corporate Social Responsibility Policy in
accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (Act) and Rules made there
under, as amended. The CSR Policy along with brief description of CSR projects are
disclosed on the website of the Company at www.udaipurcement.com .
The Annual Report on the CSR activities undertaken by the Company
during the Financial Year under review, in the prescribed format, is annexed to this
Report as Annexure 'A'.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the Financial Year ended 31st March 2024, all the
contracts or arrangements or transactions entered into by the Company with the Related
Parties were in the ordinary course of business, on an arm's length basis and were in
compliance with the applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 ('Act') and the SEBI
(Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 (Listing Regulations).
Form AOC-2 containing the details of the material Related Party
Transactions entered into during the Financial Year 2023-24 as per the Related Party
Transactions Policy is attached as Annexure 'B' to this Report. The Related Party
Transaction Policy is available on the website of the Company.
PARTICULARS OF LOANS, GUARANTEES OR INVESTMENT
The particulars of loans given, guarantees or securities provided, and
investments made as required under Section 186 of the Act, if any, are given in the Notes
to the Financial Statements and forms part of it.
CONSERVATION OF ENERGY ETC.
The details as required under Section 134(3)(m) of the Act read with
the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 are annexed to this Report as Annexure 'C' and forms
part of it.
AUDITORS
(a) Statutory Auditors and their Report
M/s Bansilal Shah & Co., Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration
Number: 000384W), were appointed as the Statutory Auditors of the Company for their second
term of five consecutive years to hold office from the conclusion of the 23rd
Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 17th August 2019 until the conclusion of
the 28th AGM to be held in the year 2024, being the maximum permissible term.
Accordingly, pursuant to Section 139 (2) of the Act, they will not be eligible for
re-appointment as the Auditors of the Company at the ensuing AGM.
The Board of Directors places on record its appreciation of the
valuable services rendered by M/s Bansilal Shah & Co., as the Statutory Auditors of
the Company. The observations of the Auditors in their report on Accounts and the
financial statements, read with the relevant notes are self-explanatory. The Auditors'
Report does not contain any qualification, reservation, adverse remark or disclaimer.
Further, no fraud has been reported by the Auditors to the Audit Committee or the Board.
Subject to the approval of the Members, the Board of Directors of the
Company has recommended the appointment of M/s. S.S. Kothari Mehta & Co. LLP,
Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration Number: 000756N) as the Statutory Auditors of the
Company for a period of five consecutive years commencing from the conclusion of 28th
AGM till the conclusion of 33rd AGM pursuant to Section 139 of the Act.
Requisite Resolution regarding their appointment is included in the Notice of ensuing AGM
for approval by the Members.
(b) Secretarial Auditor and Secretarial Audit
Report
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Act, the Board of
Directors appointed Shri Namo Narain Agarwal, Company Secretary in Practice, as
Secretarial Auditor to carry out Secretarial Audit of the Company for the Financial Year
2023-24.
The Report given by him for the said Financial Year in the prescribed
format is annexed to this Report as Annexure 'D'. The Secretarial Audit Report does not
contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remark.
(c) Cost Auditor and Cost Audit Report
M/s HMVN & Associates, Cost Accountants, conducted the Audit of
cost records of the Company for the Financial Year ended 31st March 2023 and as
required, Cost Audit Report was duly filed with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs,
Government of India. The Company has duly maintained requisite Cost Accounts and Records
pursuant to Section 148(1) of the Act.
The Audit of the Cost Records of the Company for the Financial Year
ended 31st March 2024 is being conducted by the said Firm and the Report will
be duly filed.
DEPOSITS
The Company has neither invited nor accepted any deposits from the
public.
PARTICULARS OF REMUNERATION
Disclosure of the ratio of the remuneration of each Director to the
median employee's remuneration and other requisite details pursuant to Section 197(12) of
the Act read with Rule 5 (1) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial
Personnel) Rules, 2014, is annexed to this Report as Annexure 'E'.
Further, particulars of employees pursuant to Rule 5(2) & (3) of
the above Rules, form part of this Report. However, in terms of provisions of Section 136
of the Act, the Annual Report including Accounts for the Financial Year 2023-24, is being
sent to all the Members of the Company and others entitled thereto, excluding the said
particulars of employees. The said information is available for inspection at the
Registered Office of the Company during business hours on working days of the Company upto
the ensuing AGM. Any Member interested in obtaining such particulars may write to the
Company Secretary.
EXTRACT OF ANNUAL RETURN
The Annual Return as required under Section 92 and Section 134 of the
Act, read with Rules made thereunder is available on the website of the Company and can be
accessed at https://udaipurcement.com/annual-return/
DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
Pursuant to Section 152 of the Act, Smt. Vinita Singhania (DIN:
00042983), Chairperson retires by rotation at the ensuing AGM of the Company and being
eligible, has offered herself for re-appointment. The Board recommends her re-appointment.
Based on the recommendations of Nomination & Remuneration Committee
(NRC), the Board has re-appointed:
(i) Shri Shrivats Singhania (DIN: 02359242) as Director & CEO for a
term of 5 years w.e.f. 1st April 2025 and;
(ii) Shri Naveen Kumar Sharma (DIN: 08152305) as Whole-time Director,
for a term of 3 years w.e.f. 1st October 2024, subject to requisite approval of
Members of the Company in the ensuing AGM.
Further, based on the recommendations of NRC, the Board has appointed:
(i) Shri Sadhu Ram Bansal (DIN: 06471984) as an Additional Director in
the category of Independent Director on the Board of Directors of the Company for a term
of three consecutive years w.e.f. 1st July 2024. The Company has received
requisite declaration from Shri Bansal regarding his independence pursuant to Section 149
of the Act and Regulation 16 of the Listing Regulations. As an Independent Director, Shri
Bansal shall not be liable to retire by rotation. In the opinion of the Board, he
possesses requisite expertise, integrity, proficiency and experience.
(ii) Shri Sudhir A. Bidkar (DIN:00113646) as an Additional Director in
the category of Non-Executive Non-Independent Director on the Board of Directors of the
Company, w.e.f. 1st July 2024. As Non-Executive Non-Independent Director, Shri
Bidkar shall be liable to retire by rotation.
The Company has received requisite Notices under Section 160 of the Act
from Members proposing the names of above Directors for appointment in the ensuing AGM.
Relevant details regarding their appointment are given in the Notice of ensuing AGM. As
Additional Directors, Shri Sadhu Ram Bansal and Shri Sudhir A.Bidkar
hold office upto the date of ensuing AGM. The Board recommends their appointments to the
Members for their approval in the ensuing AGM.
The Board has also taken on record the declarations and confirmations
received from all the Independent Directors of the Company regarding their independence
pursuant to Section 149 of the Act read with Rules made thereunder and Regulation 16 of
the Listing Regulations.
Shri O. N. Rai (DIN: 00033142), an Independent Director on the Board of
the Company, passed away on 1st April 2024. The Board places on record its
sincere appreciation for the valuable contribution and guidance received from him during
his tenure.
Except as stated above, there was no other change in Directors and Key
Managerial Personnel of the Company, during the year under review.
SIGNIFICANT AND MATERIAL ORDERS PASSED BY THE
REGULATORS OR COURTS OR TRIBUNALS
During the Financial Year under review, there were no significant and
material orders passed by the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals which could impact the
going concern status of the Company and its future operations. Further, no application was
made or no proceeding was pending as at the end of the year under the Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016.
MATERIAL CHANGES AND COMMITMENTS
There have been no material changes and commitments affecting the
financial position of the Company which have occurred between the end of the financial
year of the Company and the date of this report.
CHANGE IN THE NATURE OF BUSINESS
During the Financial Year under review, there was no change in the
nature of business of the Company.
BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
Pursuant to Regulation 34(2)(f) of the Listing Regulations, the
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report of the Company for the Financial Year
2023-24 in the prescribed format containing disclosures on Environmental, Social &
Governance is given in a separate section of the Annual Report and forms a part of it.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION
& ANALYSIS REPORT
Your Company reaffirms its commitment to the highest standards of
Corporate Governance practices. Pursuant to the Listing Regulations, Corporate Governance
Report and Management Discussion & Analysis along with Statutory Auditors' Certificate
regarding compliance of conditions of Corporate Governance are made part of this Report as
Annexure 'F' & 'G' respectively.
The Corporate Governance Report which forms part of this Report, inter
alia, covers the following:
(a) Particulars of the four Board Meetings held during the Financial
Year under review;
(b) Salient features of the Nomination and Remuneration Policy;
(c) The manner in which formal annual evaluation of the performance of
the Board of Directors, of its Committees and of individual Directors has been made;
(d) The details with respect to composition of Audit Committee and
establishment of Vigil Mechanism;
(e) Details regarding Risk Management Committee;
(f) Dividend Distribution Policy;
(g) Disclosures in relation to the Sexual Harassment of Women at
Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. COMPLIANCE OF SECRETARIAL
STANDARDS
Based on the Secretarial Audit Report of the Secretarial Auditor, the
Company has duly complied with the applicable Secretarial Standards on Meetings of the
Board of Directors and General Meetings issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of
India.
DIRECTORS' RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
As required under Section 134(3)(c) of the Act, your Directors state
that:-
(a) in the preparation of the Annual Accounts, the applicable
accounting standards have been followed along with proper explanation relating to material
departures;
(b) such accounting policies have been selected and applied
consistently and judgments and estimates made 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 and loss of the Company for
that period;
(c) proper and sufficient care has been taken for the maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the said Act for
safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other
irregularities;
(d) the annual accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis;
(e) the internal financial controls to be followed by the Company have
been laid down and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were operating
effectively; and
(f) the proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all
applicable laws have been devised and that such systems are adequate and operating
effectively.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Your Directors wish to place on record their appreciation for the
continued support and cooperation received from various State Governments. The Directors
also thank the Financial Institutions, Banks, Shareholders, Suppliers, Dealers and in
particular the valued Customers for their trust and patronage. The overwhelming response
to the Rights issue reflects the trust and confidence reposed by you, in the Company. We
value the same.
Your Directors record their appreciation for the dedication and hard
work put in by 'Team-UCWL', which has enabled the Company to continue to grow stronger in
these challenging times. Last but not the least, the Directors also wish to place on
record their sincere gratitude towards JK Lakshmi Cement Limited, our Holding Company for
all the financial, technical, marketing and operational assistance extended by them.
|
On behalf of the Board of Directors |
Place: New Delhi |
Vinita Singhania |
Date: 17th May 2024 |
Chairperson |
|