biocon ltd Auditors report


<dhhead>Independent Auditor Report</dhhead>

To the Members of Biocon Limited

 

Report on the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements

Opinion

We have audited the standalone financial statements of Biocon Limited (the "Company") and its employee welfare trusts, which comprise the standalone balance sheet as at 31 March 2022, and the standalone statement of profit and loss (including other comprehensive income), standalone statement of changes in equity and standalone statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the standalone financial statements, including a summary of significant 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 give the information required by the Companies Act, 2013 ("Act") in the manner so required and give a true and fair view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of affairs of the Company as at 31 March 2022, and its profit and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and its cash flows for the year ended on that date.

 

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (SAs) specified under Section 143(10) of the Act. Our responsibilities under those SAs are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Standalone 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 together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the standalone 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 Code of Ethics. We believe that the audit evidence obtained by us is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our 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 standalone financial statements of the current period. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the standalone financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

 

Description of Key Audit Matter

Taxation
The key audit matters How the matter was addressed in our audit
The Company is subject to complexities with respect to various tax positions on matters such as: Our audit procedures in relation to Taxation include the following:
- deductibility of transactions • Tested the design of key internal financial controls and operating effectiveness of the relevant key controls around the tax computation and tax matters;
- availability of tax incentives and exemptions, • We obtained an understanding of the key uncertain tax positions based on list of ongoing litigations and tax computation for the current year;
- cross border transfer pricing arrangements etc. • We analysed select key correspondences with the tax authorities to identify any additional uncertain tax positions;
Judgment is required in assessing the range of possible outcomes for some of these tax matters. These judgments could change over time as each of the matter progresses depending on experience on actual assessment proceedings by tax authorities and other judicial precedents. • We analysed the Company’s judgment regarding the eventual resolution of matters with various tax authorities.
The Company makes an assessment to determine the outcome of these uncertain tax positions and decides to make an accrual or consider it to be a possible contingent liability. In this regard, we understood how the Company has considered past experience, where available, with the tax authorities;
Where the amount of tax liabilities are uncertain, the Company recognizes accruals which reflect its best estimate of the outcome based on the facts known. Accordingly, we focused on this area. • We also considered external legal opinions and consultations made by the Company for key uncertain tax positions during current and past periods; and
For further information refer to: • We used our own tax specialists’ expertise to assess key assumptions made by the Company.
- Significant accounting policies which includes General accounting principles, Key accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions - Note 2(m)
- financial disclosures set out in Note 33 for Tax expense and Note 34 for contingent liabilities. in the standalone financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2022.
Revenue and receivables
The key audit matter How the matter was addressed in our audit
Revenue from sale of goods is recognised when a promise in a customer contract (performance obligation) has been satisfied by transferring control over the promised goods to the customer. Our audit procedures in relation to revenue recognition includes the following:
Control is usually transferred upon shipment, delivery to certain named location, or upon receipt of goods by the customer, in accordance with the delivery and acceptance terms agreed with the customers and other terms generally recognised under internationally accepted commercial arrangements. • Assessed the appropriateness of the Group’s revenue recognition accounting policies and assessed compliance with the policies in terms of applicable accounting standards.
The amount of revenue to be recognised is based on the consideration expected to be received in exchange for goods, excluding trade discounts, volume discounts, sales returns and any taxes or duties collected on behalf of the government which are levied on sales such as sales tax, value added tax, goods and services tax etc., where applicable. • Tested the design and operating effectiveness of the Group’s controls around revenue recognition.
Revenue is one of the key performance indicators of the Group and there could be a risk that revenue is recognized in the incorrect period or before the control has been transferred to the customer. • Performed substantive testing (including year-end cutoff testing) by selecting samples of revenue transactions recorded during the year and verifying the underlying documents, which includes sales invoices/contracts and shipping documents.
Further, the Company has significant trade receivables at year end including certain balances with related parties. Given the size of the balances and the risk of some of the trade receivables not being recoverable, judgment is required to evaluate the adequacy of allowance recorded to reflect the risk. • Assessing journal entries posted to revenue to identify unusual items not already covered by our audit testing
Refer to Note 2(k) of the summary of significant accounting policies to the standalone financial statements • Evaluated management’s assessment of the impact on revenue recognition and consequential impact on the expected credit loss allowance on receivables.

 

 

Information Other than the Standalone Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report Thereon

The Company’s Management and Board of Directors are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises of Management Reports such as Board’s Report, Management Discussion and Analysis, Corporate Governance Report and Business Responsibility Report (but does not include the Standalone Financial Statements and our Auditors’ Report thereon) which we have obtained prior to the date of this Auditors’ Report, and the remaining sections of the Company’s Annual Report, which are expected to be made available to us after that date.

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 in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.

If, based on the work we have performed on the other information that we obtained prior to the date of this Auditors’ Report, 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.

When we read the other sections of the Annual Report (other than those mentioned above), if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the matter to those charged with governance and take necessary actions, as applicable under the applicable laws and regulations.

 

Management’s and Board of Directors’/Board of Trustees’ Responsibilities for the Standalone Financial Statements

The Company’s Management and Board of Directors are 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 state of affairs, profit/ loss and other comprehensive income, 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. The respective Management and Board of Directors of the Company/Board of Trustees of the employee welfare trusts ("Trust") are responsible for maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding of the assets of the Company/Trust and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate 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 standalone financial statements that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the standalone financial statements, the respective Management and Board of Directors/Board of Trustees are responsible for assessing the ability of the Company/Trust to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Board of Directors/Board of Trustees either intends to liquidate the Company/Trust or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

The Board of Directors/Board of Trustees are also responsible for overseeing the financial reporting process of each Company/Trust.

 

Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the standalone 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 standalone 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 standalone 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 with reference to financial statements 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 the Management and Board of Directors.

• Conclude on the appropriateness of the Management and Board of Directors use of the going concern basis of accounting in preparation of standalone financial statements 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 standalone 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 standalone financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the standalone financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

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 Section 143 (11) of the Act, we give in the "Annexure A" a statement on the matters specified in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Order, to the extent applicable.

 

2. (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.

c) The standalone balance sheet, the standalone statement of profit and loss (including other comprehensive income), the standalone statement of changes in equity and the standalone statement of cash flows 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 Ind AS specified under Section 133 of the Act.

e) On the basis of the written representations received from the directors as on 31_March_2022 taken on record by the Board of Directors, none of the directors is disqualified as on 31_March_2022 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 with reference to financial statements 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 Auditor’s) Rules, 2014, in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us:

a) The Company has disclosed the impact of pending litigations as at 31 March 2022 on its financial position in its standalone financial statements - Refer Note 34 to the standalone financial statements.

b) The Company has made provision, as required under the applicable law or accounting standards, for material foreseeable losses, if any, on long-term contracts including derivative contracts - Refer Note 36 to the standalone financial statements.

c) There has been no delay in transferring amounts, required to be transferred, to the Investor Education and Protection Fund by the Company.

d) (i) The management has represented that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, as disclosed in the Note 43 to the standalone financial statements, 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 persons or entities, 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 ("Ultimate Beneficiaries") by or on behalf of the Company; or

• provide any guarantee, security or the like to or on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries.

(ii) The management has represented, that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, as disclosed in the Note 43 to the standalone financial statements, no funds have been received by the Company from any persons or entities, 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 ("Ultimate Beneficiaries") by or on behalf of the Funding Party or

• provide any guarantee, security or the like from or on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries.

(iii) Based on such audit procedures as considered reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, nothing has come to our notice that has caused us to believe that the representations under sub-clause (d) (i) and (d) (ii) contain any material mis-statement.

e) As stated in Note 46 to the standalone financial statements, the Board of Directors of the Company has proposed final dividend for the year which is subject to the approval of the members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The dividend declared is in accordance with section 123 of the Act to the extent it applies to declaration of dividend.

 

(C) With respect to the matter to be included in the Auditor’s 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) of the Act which are required to be commented upon by us.

 

for B S R & Co. LLP

Chartered Accountants

Firm’s Registration Number: 101248W/W-100022

 

Sampad Guha Thakurta

Partner

Membership Number: 060573

UDIN: 22060573AIAPOM9875

Place: Bangalore

Date: 28 April 2022

 

Annexure A to the Independent Auditors’ Report

With reference to the Annexure A referred to in the Independent Auditor’s Report to the members of the Company on the standalone financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2022, we report the following:

(i) (a) (A) The Company has maintained proper records showing full particulars, including quantitative details and situation of property, plant and equipment.

(i) (a) (B) The Company has maintained proper records showing full particulars of intangible assets.

(i) (b) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has a regular programme of physical verification of its property, plant and equipment by which all property, plant and equipment are verified in a phased manner over a period of three years. In accordance with this programme, certain property, plant and equipment were verified during the year. In our opinion, this periodicity of physical verification is reasonable having regard to the size of the Company and the nature of its assets. No discrepancies were noticed on such verification.

(i) (c) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the title deeds of immovable properties (other than immovable properties where the Company is the lessee and the leases agreements are duly executed in favour of the lessee) disclosed in the standalone financial statements are held in the name of the Company, except for the following which is not held in the name of the Company:

Description of property

Gross carrying value (INR in million)

Held in the name of

Whether promoter, director or their relative or employee

Period held- indicate range, where appropriate

Reason for not being held in the name of the Company Also indicate if in dispute
Freehold Land

35

Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited

No

6 to 7 years

The land will be transferred to the Company once certain terms and conditions of the sale agreement are complied with which is currently pending. There is no dispute.

 

(i) (d) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not revalued its property, plant and equipment (including right of use assets) or intangible assets or both during the year.

(i) (e) According to information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, there are no proceedings initiated or pending against the Company for holding any benami property under the Prohibition of Benami Property Transactions Act, 1988 and rules made thereunder.

(ii) (a) The inventory, except goods-in-transit and stocks lying with third parties, has been physically verified by the management during the year. For stocks lying with third parties at the year-end, written confirmations have been obtained and for goods-in-transit subsequent evidence of receipts has been linked with inventory records. In our opinion, the frequency of such verification is reasonable and procedures and coverage as followed by management were appropriate. No discrepancies were noticed on verification between the physical stocks and the book records that were more than 10% in the aggregate of each class of inventory.

(ii) (b) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not been sanctioned any working capital limits in excess of five crore rupees in aggregate from banks and financial institutions on the basis of security of current assets at any point of time of the year. Accordingly, clause 3(ii)(b) of the Order is not applicable to the Company.

(iii) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not provided any security or granted any advances in the nature of loans, secured or unsecured to companies, limited liability partnership and other parties during the year. The Company has made investments, provided guarantees and granted loans to companies during the year, in respect of which the requisite information is as below. The Company has not provided any guarantee and granted any loans, secured or unsecured, to limited liability partnership or any other parties during the year.

(a) (A) Based on the audit procedures carried on by us and as per the information and explanations given to us, the Company has provided loans and stood guarantee to subsidiaries as below:

Particulars

Guarantees

Loans

Aggregate amount during the year - Subsidiaries*

16,009 millions

474 millions

Balance outstanding as at balance sheet date - Subsidiaries*

3,398 millions

413 millions

 

*As per the Companies Act, 2013

(B) Based on the audit procedures carried on by us and as per the information and explanations given to us, the Company has not provided loans and stood guarantee to a party other than subsidiaries.

(b) According to the information and explanations given to us and based on the audit procedures conducted by us, in our opinion the investments made, guarantees provided during the year and the terms and conditions of the grant of loans and guarantees provided during the year are, prima facie, not prejudicial to the interest of the Company.

(c) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, in the case of loans given, in our opinion the principal and interest is repayable on demand. As informed to us, the Company has not demanded repayment of the loan and interest during the year. Thus, there has been no default on the part of the party to whom the money has been lent. Further, the Company has not given any advance in the nature of loan to any party during the year.

(d) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, there are no overdue amount for more than ninety days in respect of loans given. Further, the Company has not given any advances in the nature of loans to any party during the year.

(e) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, there are no loan granted falling due during the year, which has been renewed or extended or fresh loans granted to settle the overdues of existing loans given to same parties.

(f) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, in our opinion the Company has not granted any loans either repayable on demand or without specifying any terms or period of repayment except for the following loans to its related parties as defined in Clause (76) of Section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act"):

Related_Parties

Aggregate of loans
- Repayable on demand (A)

474 millions

- Agreement does not specify any terms or period of Repayment (B)

Nil

Total (A+B)

474 millions

Percentage of loans to the total loans

100%

 

(iv) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not given any loans, or provided any guarantee or security as specified under Section 185 and 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act"). In respect of the investments made by the Company, in our opinion the provisions of Section 186 of the Act have been complied with.

(v) The Company has not accepted any deposits or amounts which are deemed to be deposits from the public. Accordingly, clause 3(v) of the Order is not applicable.

(vi) We have broadly reviewed the books of accounts maintained by the Company pursuant to the rules prescribed by the Central Government for maintenance of cost records under Section 148(1) of the Act in respect of its manufactured goods and services provided by it and are of the opinion that prima facie, the prescribed accounts and records have been made and maintained. However, we have not carried out a detailed examination of the records with a view to determine whether these are accurate or complete.

(vii) (a) The Company does not have liability in respect of Service tax, Duty of excise, Sales tax and Value added tax during the year since effective 1 July 2017, these statutory dues has been subsumed into Goods and Services Tax (‘GST’).

According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, in our opinion amounts deducted/ accrued in the books of account in respect of undisputed statutory dues including GST, Provident Fund, Employees’ State Insurance, Income-Tax, Duty of Customs, Cess and other statutory dues have been regularly deposited by the Company with the appropriate authorities.

According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, no undisputed amounts payable in respect of GST, Provident fund, Employees’ State Insurance, Income-Tax, Duty of Customs, Cess and other statutory dues were in arrears as at 31 March 2022 for a period of more than six months from the date they became payable.

(b) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, there are no statutory dues relating to GST, Provident Fund, Employees State Insurance, Income-Tax, Duty of Customs or Cess or other statutory dues which have not been deposited on account of any disputes, other than those set out in Appendix 1.

(viii) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not surrendered or disclosed any transactions, previously unrecorded as income in the books of account, in the tax assessments under the Income Tax Act, 1961 as income during the year.

(ix) (a) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not defaulted in repayment of loans and borrowing or in the payment of interest thereon to any lender.

(b) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not been declared a wilful defaulter by any bank or financial institution or government or government authority.

(c) In our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to us by the management, term loans were applied for the purpose for which the loans were obtained.

(d) According to the information and explanations given to us and on an overall examination of the balance sheet of the Company, we report that no funds raised on short-term basis have been used for long-term purposes by the Company.

(e) According to the information and explanations given to us and on an overall examination of the standalone financial statements of the Company, we report that the Company has not taken any funds from any entity or person on account of or to meet the obligations of its subsidiary as defined under the Act.

(f) According to the information and explanations given to us and procedures performed by us, we report that the Company has not raised loans during the year on the pledge of securities held in its subsidiary (as defined under the Act).

(x) (a) The Company has not raised any moneys by way of initial public offer or further public offer (including debt instruments). Accordingly, clause 3(x)(a) of the Order is not applicable to the Company.

(b) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not made any preferential allotment or private placement of shares or fully or partly convertible debentures during the year. Accordingly, clause 3(x)(b) of the Order is not applicable to the Company.

(xi) (a) Based on examination of the books and records of the Company and according to the information and explanations given to us, considering the principles of materiality outlined in Standards on Auditing, we report that no fraud by the Company or on the Company has been noticed or reported during the course of the audit.

(b) According to the information and explanations given to us, no report under sub-section (12) of Section 143 of the Act has been filed by the auditors in Form ADT-4 as prescribed under Rule 13 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014 with the Central Government.

(c) We have taken into consideration the whistle blower complaints received by the Company during the year while determining the nature, timing and extent of our audit procedures.

(xii) According to the information and explanations given to us, the Company is not a Nidhi Company. Accordingly, clause 3(xii) of the Order is not applicable to the Company.

(xiii) In our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to us, the transactions with related parties are in compliance with Section 177 and 188 of the Act, where applicable, and the details of the related party transactions have been disclosed in the standalone financial statements as required by the applicable accounting standards.

(xiv) (a) Based on information and explanations provided to us and our audit procedures, in our opinion, the Company has an internal audit system commensurate with the size and nature of its business.

(b) We have considered the internal audit reports of the Company issued till date for the period under audit.

(xv) In our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to us, the Company has not entered into any non-cash transactions with its directors or persons connected to its directors and hence, provisions of Section 192 of the Act are not applicable to the Company.

(xvi) (a) The Company is not required to be registered under Section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Accordingly, clause 3(xvi)(a) of the Order is not applicable.

(b) The Company is not required to be registered under Section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Accordingly, clause 3(xvi)(b) of the Order is not applicable.

(c) The Company is not a Core Investment Company (CIC) as defined in the regulations made by the Reserve Bank of India. Accordingly, clause 3(xvi)(c) of the Order is not applicable.

(d) The Company is not part of any group (as per the provisions of the Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016 as amended). Accordingly, the requirements of clause 3(xvi)(d) are not applicable

(xvii) The Company has not incurred cash losses in the current and in the immediately preceding financial year.

(xviii) There has been no resignation of the statutory auditors during the year. Accordingly, clause 3(xviii) of the Order is not applicable.

(xix) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of the financial ratios, ageing and expected dates of realisation of financial assets and payment of financial liabilities, our knowledge of the Board of Directors and management plans and based on our examination of the evidence supporting the assumptions, nothing has come to our attention, which causes us to believe that any material uncertainty exists as on the date of the audit report that Company is not capable of meeting its liabilities existing at the date of balance sheet as and when they fall due within a period of one year from the balance sheet date. We, however, state that this is not an assurance as to the future viability of the Company. We further state that our reporting is based on the facts up to the date of the audit report and we neither give any guarantee nor any assurance that all liabilities falling due within a period of one year from the balance sheet date, will get discharged by the Company as and when they fall due.

Also refer to the Other Information paragraph of our main audit report which explains that the other information comprising of Management Reports such as Board’s Report, Management Discussion and Analysis, Corporate Governance Report and Business Responsibility Report which we obtained prior to the date of this Auditor’s report and the remaining sections of the Company’s Annual Report are expected to be made available to us after the date of this auditor’s report.

(xx) (a) In our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to us, there is no unspent amount under subsection (5) of Section 135 of the Act pursuant to any project. Accordingly, clauses 3(xx)(a) and 3(xx)(b) of the Order are not applicable.

 

for B S R & Co. LLP

Chartered Accountants

Firm’s Registration Number: 101248W/W-100022

 

Sampad Guha Thakurta

Partner

Membership Number: 060573

UDIN: 22060573AIAPOM9875

Place: Bangalore

Date: 28 April 2022

 

Appendix I Referred to in paragraph vii (b) of Annexure A to the Independent Auditors’ Report

Name of the statute

Nature of the dues

Amount (INR In Million)

Amount paid in protest (INR In Million)

Period to which the amount relates

Forum where dispute is pending

Income-Tax Act, 1961

Income Tax

4

4

FY 1996 - 97

Supreme Court

Income-Tax Act, 1961

Income Tax

1,348

635

FY 2009-10 to FY 2016-17

Income Tax Appellate Tribunal ("ITAT")

Income-Tax Act, 1961

Income Tax

13

12

FY 1997-98, FY 2003-04 to FY 2004-05

High Court of Karnataka

Income-Tax Act, 1961

Income Tax

62

62

FY 2013-14

Commissioner (Appeals)

Finance Act, 1994

Service-Tax

-*

-

FY 2017-18

Deputy Commissioner

Finance Act, 1994

Service-Tax

188

-

FY 2006-07 to FY 2016-17

Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal ("CESTAT")

Entry Tax (The West Bengal Tax on Entry of goods into Local Areas Act, 2012)

Entry Tax

20

-

FY 2012-13 to FY 2016-17

High Court of West Bengal

Value Added Tax Act, 2005

Value Added Tax

2

1

FY 2005-06

Commissioner (Appeals)

Value Added Tax Act, 2005

Value Added Tax

84

11

FY 2008-09 to FY 2015-16

Joint Commissioner Appeals

Central Sales Tax Act 1956

CST

38

1

FY 2008-09 to FY 2013-14

Joint Commissioner Appeals

The Central Excise Act, 1944

Excise Duty

273

53

FY 2005-06 to FY 2009- 10 and FY 2011-12 to FY 2013-14

Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal ("CESTAT")

The Central Excise Act, 1944

Excise Duty

56

-

FY 2008-09 to FY 2013-14

Commissioner (Appeals)

The Customs Act, 1962

Customs duty

45

45

FY 1994-95, FY 2004-05 to FY 2008-09

Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal ("CESTAT")

The Customs Act, 1962

Customs duty

5

1

FY 2003-04, FY 2005-06, FY 2007-08, FY 2008-09, FY 2010-11, FY 2011-12, FY 2013-14 & 2014-15

Commissioner (Appeals)

The Customs Act, 1962

47

-

FY 2012 -16

Karnataka High Court

 

* Amounts are not presented since the amounts are rounded off to INR million.

 

Annexure B to the Independent Auditor’s report on the standalone financial statements of Biocon Limited for the year ended 31 March 2022.

Report on the internal financial controls with reference to the aforesaid standalone financial statements under Clause (i) of Sub-section 3 of Section 143 of the Companies Act, 2013

(Referred to in paragraph (2h) under ‘Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements’ section of our report of even date)

Opinion

We have audited the internal financial controls with reference to the standalone financial statements of Biocon Limited ("the Company") as of 31 March 2022 in conjunction with our audit of the standalone financial statements of the Company for the year ended on that date.

In our opinion, the Company has, in all material respects, adequate internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements and such internal financial controls were operating effectively as at 31 March 2022, based on the internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements criteria established by the Company considering the essential components of internal control stated in the Guidance Note on Audit of Internal Financial Controls Over Financial Reporting issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (the "Guidance Note").

 

Management’s Responsibility for Internal Financial Controls

The Company’s management and the Board of Directors are responsible for establishing and maintaining internal financial controls based on the internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements criteria established by the Company considering the essential components of internal control stated in the Guidance Note. These responsibilities include the design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls that were operating effectively for ensuring the orderly and efficient conduct of its business, including adherence to company’s policies, the safeguarding of its assets, the prevention and detection of frauds and errors, the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, and the timely preparation of reliable financial information, as required under the Companies Act, 2013 (hereinafter referred to as "the Act").

 

Auditors’ Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the Guidance Note and the Standards on Auditing, prescribed under section 143(10) of the Act, to the extent applicable to an audit of internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements. Those Standards and the Guidance Note require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether adequate internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements were established and maintained and whether such controls operated effectively in all material respects.

Our audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the adequacy of the internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements and their operating effectiveness. Our audit of internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements included obtaining an understanding of such internal financial controls, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. The procedures selected depend on the auditor’s judgement, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the standalone financial statements, whether due to fraud or error.

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion on the Company’s internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements.

 

Meaning of Internal Financial controls with Reference to Standalone Financial Statements

A company’s internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of standalone financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements include those policies and procedures that

(1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company;

(2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of standalone financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorisations of management and directors of the company; and

(3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorised acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the standalone financial statements.

 

Inherent Limitations of Internal Financial controls with Reference to Standalone Financial Statements

Because of the inherent limitations of internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected. Also, projections of any evaluation of the internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements to future periods are subject to the risk that the internal financial controls with reference to standalone financial statements may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

for B S R & Co. LLP

Chartered Accountants

Firm’s Registration Number: 101248W/W-100022

 

Sampad Guha Thakurta

Partner

Membership Number: 060573

UDIN: 22060573AIAPOM9875

Place: Bangalore

Date: 28 April 2022