india power corporation ltd Directors report

DEAR MEMBERS,

Your Directors are pleased to present the 103rd Annual Report together with the Audited Financial Statements of your Company for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

The key highlights of the standalone and consolidated financial performance of your Company is summarized below:

( in lakhs)

	Standalone		Consolidated
Particulars	Year ended 31st March, 2023	Year ended 31st March, 2022	Year ended 31st March, 2023	Year ended 31st March, 2022
Total income [including Regulatory income/(expense)]	69,588.25	63,420.69	71,841.67	65,581.78
Total expenditure	67,723.29	61,219.82	69,635.23	63,447.05
Share of Profit/(Loss) of Joint Venture	-	-	(118.41)	(7.28)
Profit before Tax	1,864.96	2,200.87	2,088.03	2,127.45
Less: Provision for Taxation
Current Tax	656.00	548.00	656.12	550.26
Deferred Tax	(151.69)	38.25	(151.69)	38.25
Profit for the year from continuing operations	1,360.65	1,614.62	1,583.60	1,538.94
Profit for the year	1,360.65	1,614.62	1,583.60	1,538.94

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS AND STATE OF THE COMPANYS AFFAIRS

Your Company is one of the leading integrated power utilities in India that started its journey in the year 1919. Your Company has a Distribution License spread across 798 sq. kms. in the Asansol - Raniganj area of West Bengal. Your Company maintains one of the lowest transmission and distribution losses in the country which is around 3%. Over the years, your Company has ventured into generation of electricity and has a total generation capacity of 38.8 MW comprising of 12 MW thermal power plant in Asansol, West Bengal, 24.8 MW of wind asset in Gujarat and 2 MW solar asset in West Bengal.

The total income (including Regulatory income/expense) was recorded at 69,588.25 lakhs for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023, in comparison to the previous year figure of 63,420.69 lakhs. Your Company supplied 910.96 MU of power in its license area and 45.80 Mu of wind power during the financial year ended 31st March, 2023. The Profit after Tax for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023 was recorded at 1,360.65 lakhs as compared to previous years figure of 1,614.62 lakhs.

Your Companys wholly-owned subsidiary, MP Smart Grid Private Limited, has been engaged in executing a first of its kind public private partnership awarded by Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitaran Company Limited, Indore that involves installation of 3,50,000 smart meters across five towns in Madhya Pradesh.

Detailed information on your Companys operations, state of its affairs and outlook, are elaborated in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report as stipulated under Regulation 34(2) of SEBI (Listing Obligations & Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 ("Listing Regulations") which is attached to this Report as Annexure I.

There is no material change and commitment affecting the financial position of your Company which has occurred after the end of the financial year till the date of this Report, other than those stated in this Report.

DIVIDEND

The Board of Directors have recommended a dividend of 5 (five) percent ( 0.05 per equity share of 1 each) for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023, subject to approval of the Members at the ensuing 103rd Annual General Meeting. The dividend payout is in accordance with your Companys Dividend Distribution Policy formulated in terms of Regulation 43A of the Listing Regulations, which is available on your Companys website at the link https:// www.indiapower.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ Dividend-Distribution-Policy.pdf.

RESERVES

The amount carried to the reserves and surplus for the financial year 2022-23 are given in the Standalone Financial Statements of your Company for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023.

DEPOSITS

Your Company has not accepted any deposits within the ambit of Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013 ("Act") and the Companies (Acceptance of Deposits) Rules, 2014 during the year under review.

SHARE CAPITAL

In terms of the Scheme of Arrangement and Amalgamation of India Power Corporation Limited ("erstwhile IPCL") (CIN: U40101WB2003PLC097340) into and with DPSC Limited (now known as India Power Corporation Limited) (CIN: L40105WB1919PLC003263) sanctioned by the Honble High Court at Calcutta vide its order dated 17th April, 2013 ("Scheme"), the Shareholders of erstwhile IPCL are entitled to be allotted 11 equity shares of 1 each of your Company for every 100 equity shares of erstwhile IPCL held by them totaling to allotment of 112,02,75,823 equity shares of 1 each ("consideration shares"). The existing holding of erstwhile IPCL in your Company i.e. 51,61,32,374 equity shares shall stand cancelled pursuant to the aforesaid Scheme and accordingly the paid-up equity share capital of your Company upon allotment of the consideration shares and cancellation as envisaged above will be increased from 97,37,89,640 to 157,79,33,089 comprising 157,79,33,089 equity shares of 1 each. Cancellation and allotment of the aforesaid shares has not been given effect due to certain pending clearance(s)/approval(s) from the Stock Exchanges.

SUBSIDIARIES AND ASSOCIATES

During the year under review, India Power Corporation (Bodhgaya) Limited which was undergoing Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process under The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 ("IBC") ceased to be subsidiary of your Company with effect from 18th July, 2022 pursuant to the order of the National Company Law Tribunal ("NCLT"), Kolkata dated 18th July, 2022.Your Company incorporated a wholly-owned subsidiary company MP Smart Metering Private Limited on 25th April, 2023.

In line with Section 129(3) of the Act read with the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, Listing Regulations and in accordance with Indian Accounting Standards, Consolidated Financial Statements prepared by your Company includes financial information of the subsidiary and associate companies and their contribution to the overall performance of your Company during the year under review.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 129(3) of the Act read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, the Statement in Form AOC-1 containing the salient features of the Financial Statements of your Companys subsidiaries and associate forms part of the Consolidated Financial Statements of your Company which is in addition to this Report. Further, in terms of Section 134(3) of the Act read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, the report on the highlights of the performance of the subsidiary and associate companies also forms part of Form AOC-1.

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 136 of the Act, copies of the Annual Accounts in respect of each of the subsidiaries would be available on your Companys website www. indiapower.com and copy of such audited accounts will be provided to the Members at their request.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

• Appointment

The Board of Directors ("Board") of your Company at their meeting held on 25th May, 2023, based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee approved the appointment of Mr. Debashis Bose (DIN: 06684439) as an Additional Director of your Company with effect from 1st July, 2023 to hold office up to the date of the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The Board had also appointed him as an Executive Director for a term of 3 (three) years with effect from 1st July, 2023 till 30th June, 2026 subject to the approval of the Members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting whose period of office shall be liable to retire by rotation. The Board had also approved the terms and conditions of the appointment including remuneration.

The Board of Directors of your Company recommends the above appointment. Appropriate resolution for his appointment shall be included in the Notice convening the ensuing Annual General Meeting for seeking approval of the Members.

• Director retiring by rotation

In accordance with the provisions of Section 152 of the Act read with the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014 and the Articles of Association of your Company, Mr. Jyoti Kumar Poddar (DIN: 00690650), Non-Executive Director of your Company, retires by rotation at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and being eligible, offers himself for re-appointment. The Board of Directors of your Company recommends the above re-appointment.

• Cessation

Mr. Nand Gopal Khaitan (DIN: 00020588), Independent Director resigned from the Board of your Company with effect from 24th April, 2023 due to professional opportunities. He has confirmed that there is no other material reason for his resignation other than as provided. The Board of your Company has placed on records its sincere appreciation for the guidance and support rendered by Mr. Nand Gopal Khaitan during his association with your Company.

• Performance Evaluation

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 134 read with Code of Independent Directors (Schedule IV to the Act) and Section 178 of the Act and the Listing Regulations, the Board carried out the annual evaluation of the performance of the Board, the working of the Committees of the Board and Individual Directors forthe financial year 2022-23. The Board of your Company evaluated the same after seeking inputs from all the Directors and expressed their satisfaction with the overall evaluation process.

Further, in the separate meeting of Independent Directors of your Company held during the year under review, performance of non-Independent Directors, performance of the Board and the performance of the Chairman was evaluated and the quality, quantity and timeliness of flow of information between your Companys Management and the Board was assessed.

• Declaration by Directors

As per the declarations received by your Company, none of the Directors on the Board of your Company are disqualified to be appointed as a Director of your Company under the applicable provisions of the Act and/or the Listing Regulations.

• Independent Directors

The Board of your Company have taken on record the declarations received from each of the Independent Directors confirming that they continue to meet the criteria of independence prescribed under Section 149(6) of the Act and Regulation 16(1)(b) of the Listing Regulations and that they are not aware of any circumstances or situation, which exist or may be reasonably anticipated, that could impair or impact their ability to discharge their duties with an objective of independent judgement and without any external influence, after undertaking due assessment of veracity of the same.

The Independent Directors of your Company have taken requisite steps towards inclusion of their name in the Databank of the Independent Directors maintained with the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, in terms of Section 150 of the Act read with Rule 6(4) of the Companies (Appointment and Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014.

The terms and conditions of appointment of Independent Directors are available on your Companys website at the link https://www.indiapower.com/ wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Terms-Conditions-of- Appointment-of-ID.pdf.

KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL

In terms of Sections 2(51) and 203 of the Act, the following

were the Key Managerial Personnel of your Company as on

31st March, 2023:

i) Mr. Raghav Raj Kanoria, Managing Director

ii) Mr. Somesh Dasgupta, Whole-time Director

iii) Mr. Amit Poddar, Chief Financial Officer

iv) Mr. Prashant Kapoor, Company Secretary

COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD

Your Company has 6 (six) Board level Committees viz. Audit Committee, Nomination and Remuneration Committee, Stakeholders Relationship Committee, Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, Risk Management Committee and Committee of Directors set up under the formal approval of the Board to carry out clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Details of the composition, terms of reference, number of meetings held during the financial year, attendance of Members etc. is provided in the Corporate Governance Report annexed hereto and forming part of this Report.

All observations, recommendations and decision of the above Committees are placed before the Board of your Company for their consideration. During the year under review, there has been no instance where the Board has not accepted the recommendations of the Committees.

BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS

During the financial year 2022-23, 4 (four) meetings of the Board of your Company were convened and held on 27th May, 2022, 9th August, 2022, 11th November, 2022 and 10th February, 2023.

Additionally, several Committee meetings were also held during the year under review. Detailed information of particulars of meetings held during the financial year 202223 and the attendance of the Directors at such meetings are given in the Report on Corporate Governance annexed hereto and forming part of this Report.

DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

In terms of Sections 134(3)(c) and 134(5) of the Act, your Directors to the best of their knowledge and ability and according to the information and explanations obtained by them, state and confirm that:

a) in the preparation of the Annual Accounts for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023, the applicable Accounting Standards have been followed, along with proper explanation relating to material departures;

b) they have selected such accounting policies and applied them 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 your Company as at 31st March, 2023 and of the profit of your Company for the year ended on that date;

c) they have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding the assets of your Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;

d) the Annual Accounts have been prepared on a going concern basis;

e) they have laid down internal financial controls to be followed by your Company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and are operating effectively; and

f) they have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems are adequate and operating effectively.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Policies and Procedures are an essential component of your Companys Corporate Governance framework which outlines the organizational and operational structure. In line with this approach and in terms of the provisions of the Act and Listing Regulations, your Company has framed various Policies and Procedures duly approved and adopted by the Board. Your Company reviews its Policies and Procedures in view of the changing business environment and regulatory frameworks.

• Nomination & Remuneration Policy

In terms of Section 178(3) of the Act and Regulation 19 of the Listing Regulations, your Company has in place a Nomination & Remuneration Policy which broadly lays down the guiding principles, procedures and basis for selection and appointment of Directors, Key Managerial Personnel and Senior Management Personnel, including criteria for determining qualification, positive attributes, independence of a Director and payment of Remuneration to Directors, Key Managerial Personnel, Senior Management Personnel and other Employees.

During the year under review, the Board of your Company based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, approved and adopted a revised Nomination & Remuneration Policy to align it with the amendment in the provision of the Listing Regulations. The Policy is available on your Companys website at the link https://www.indiapower. com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Nomination-and- Remuneration-Policy.pdf.

• Corporate Social Responsibility

Your Company believes in a holistic approach when it comes to perceiving the society at a large. Your Company understands its social responsibility and hence has been at the epitome of being a socially responsible organization. Your Company strives to create a value-based and empowered society through continuous and purposeful engagement with the local communities.

In line with your Companys Corporate Social Responsibility ("CSR") Policy and strategy, this year your Company focused primarily on certain sections such as skill development, rural and infrastructure development, relief and care, education, sports, healthcare, women empowerment, environment, promotion of cultural heritage.

The details of the CSR initiatives and projects undertaken by your Company during the financial year 2022-23 are outlined in the Annual Report on CSR activities which is attached to this Report as Annexure II.

Your Company undertakes CSR activities in accordance with the CSR Policy. The Policy is available on your Companys website at the link https://www.indiapower. com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Corporate-Social- Responsibility-Policy. pdf.

• Risk Management

Your Company has adopted a Risk Management Policy aimed to ensure resilience for sustainable growth and sound corporate governance by having a process of risk identification and management in compliance with the provisions of the Act and the Listing Regulations. Your Company recognizes that the emerging and identified risks need to be managed and mitigated to create sustainable value for all its stakeholders and achieve business objectives.

Pursuant to the requirement of Regulation 21 of the Listing Regulations, your Company has constituted a Risk Management Committee to oversee the Risk Management process of your Company. The Risk Management Committee biannually reviews the major risks identified and finalizes related mitigation plans.

Internal Financial Control is an integral part of the Risk Management process and the Board is of the opinion that it has been working effectively. In view of its importance, your Company makes efforts on an ongoing basis to strengthen the Internal Financial Control system.

The details of the key risks identified and the response strategies adopted to mitigate the same are explained in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report annexed hereto and forming part of this Report.

• Internal Control Systems and their Adequacy

The details with respect to Internal Control Systems and their adequacy are provided in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report, which forms part of this Report.

• Vigil Mechanism for Directors and Employees

Your Company promotes ethical behavior in all its business activities and has put in place a mechanism for reporting illegal or unethical behavior. The Board of your Company has in terms of Section 177(9) of the Act and Regulation 22 of the Listing Regulations, framed and adopted a Vigil Mechanism / Whistle Blower Policy with an aim to provide a mechanism, inter alia, enabling Stakeholders including Directors and Employees to freely communicate their concerns about suspected unethical behavior, improper / illegal practices, leakage of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information and wrongful conduct taking place in your Company and also to provide adequate safeguard against victimization of Directors and Employees who avail the mechanism The Whistle Blower Policy / Vigil Mechanism specify the procedure and reporting authority for reporting such unethical behavior or improper activity with provisions for direct access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee for redressal. The Policy also provides for a detailed complaint and investigation process. The functioning of the Vigil Mechanism / Whistle Blower Policy is reviewed by the Audit Committee.

Your Company hereby affirms that no complaint under the Policy was received during the year under review and that no person was denied access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Vigil Mechanism / Whistle Blower Policy is available on your Companys website at the link https://www.indiapower.com/wp- content/uploads/2020/09/WHISTLE-BLOWER-VIGIL- MECHANISM.pdf.

• Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace

Your Company has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment at workplace and remains committed to provide and promote a healthy culture and congenial working environment for all its Employees that enables Employees to work without fear of prejudice, gender bias and sexual harassment. As an organization, your Company is committed to ensure that every Employee is treated with dignity and respect.

Your Company in order to foster a positive workplace environment, free from harassment of any nature and in terms of the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Rules framed thereunder, has enacted a Policy on Prevention of Sexual Harassment and constituted Internal Complaints Committee to redress complaints, if any, received regarding sexual harassment. During the year under review, no complaint pertaining to sexual harassment was received by your Company.

AUDITORS AND AUDITORS REPORT

• Statutory Auditors

Pursuant to Section 139 of the Act read with the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, M/s. S S Kothari Mehta & Co., Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration No. 000756N) were appointed as the Statutory Auditors of your Company at the 102nd Annual General Meeting to hold office for a period of 5 (five) consecutive years, from the conclusion of the 102nd Annual General Meeting till the conclusion of the 107th Annual General Meeting of your Company to be held in the year 2027. In accordance with the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2017 enforced on 7th May, 2018 by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, the appointment of Statutory Auditors is not required to be ratified at every Annual General Meeting.

The Reports given by the Auditors on the Standalone and Consolidated Financial Statements of your Company for the year ended 31st March, 2023 forms part of the Annual Report. The Auditors Report on the Standalone

and Consolidated Financial Statements of your Company for the year ended 31st March, 2023 contains a qualification with respect to the valuation of beneficial interest in Power Trust amounting to 26,092.09 lakhs being derived on the basis of a valuation report. As the major underlying asset of Power Trust is subject to a case filed with NCLT under IBC which is pending as on date, the appropriateness of the carrying amount of the beneficial interest is dependent on the assumptions regarding the outcome of the case and hence may change significantly and its impact on the Financial Statement cannot be ascertained. Your Company has receivable of 19,970 lakhs from Power Trust for sale of Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares and Fully and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures of Hiranmaye Energy Limited in previous years which being unsecured and recovery of the same being dependent on the outcome of the case as referred above, the impact on the Financial Statement cannot be quantified. Valuation of beneficial interest in Power Trust has been carried out by an independent registered valuer. Any change in value of beneficial interest in Power Trust will be accounted for on outcome of the case pending with NCLT. Presently the matter is sub-judice.

It further contains a qualification with respect to an application before NCLT under Section 7 read with Section 60(2) of IBC filed by the lenders of Meenakshi Energy Limited ("MEL") for invocation of Corporate Guarantee given by your Company. State Bank of India has filed an application before NCLT against your Company, in its capacity as Corporate Guarantor of MEL. The issue whether there exist a debt due to the lenders of MEL is presently sub-judice and also on the validity of Corporate Guarantee in as much as West Bengal Electricity Regulatory Commission ("WBERC"), the Regulator has not approved it. Presently the matter is sub-judice.

It further contains a qualification with respect to unsecured loans including interest accrued thereon of 3,753.24 lakhs recoverable from MEL. Pursuant to initiation of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process ("CIRP") in respect of MEL, MEL ceased to be subsidiary of your Company as per Indian Accounting Standard. Fair value of investments in MEL are adjusted through other comprehensive income. Based on the developments in CIRP of MEL, your Company has recognised fair value loss of 9,472.12 lakhs through other comprehensive income during the year. Your Company has an admitted claim by the Committee of Creditors of MEL, which is higher than the carrying amount as given above and your Company is hopeful of recovering the same.

It further contains a qualification with respect to one of the power suppliers who has adjusted the dues related to your Company amounting to 8,717.06 lakhs from another Body Corporate. Your Company has disputed the same and is taking necessary steps to address the matter and is pursuing the same with the power supplier. Till the matter is resolved, your Company is continuing to show the balances outstanding of the said power supplier as trade payables.

The Statutory Auditors of your Company have not reported any incident of fraud to the Audit Committee of your Company during the year under review in terms of provisions of Section 143(12) of the Act.

• Cost Auditors

Pursuant to Section 148(2) of the Act read with the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014, your Company is required to maintain cost records and get its cost records audited by a Cost Accountant and accordingly such accounts and records are maintained by your Company. The Board of Directors of your Company at its meeting held on 25th May, 2023 based on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, approved the re-appointment of M/s. Mani & Co., Cost Accountants (Firm Registration No. 000004) as the Cost Auditors to conduct the audit of the cost records of your Company for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024.

The remuneration payable to the Cost Auditors is subject to ratification of the Members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, appropriate resolution for ratification of the remuneration payable to M/s. Mani & Co., Cost Accountants to conduct the audit of cost records of your Company for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024 shall be included in the Notice convening the ensuing Annual General Meeting for seeking approval of the Members.

• Internal Auditors

Saraf & Chandra LLP have been appointed as the Internal Auditors of your Company for the financial year ended 31st March, 2024 pursuant to Section 138(1) of the Act to conduct the internal audit of the functions and activities of your Company. The Internal Auditors report to the Audit Committee. The Internal Audit Report is placed at the meetings of Audit Committee for their review.

• Secretarial Auditors

Pursuant to Section 204 of the Act read with the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 framed thereunder and Regulation 24A of the Listing Regulations, M/s. MR & Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries have been appointed to conduct the secretarial audit of your Company for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023. The Secretarial Audit Report is attached to this Report as Annexure III.

The Secretarial Auditors have made an observation in the Secretarial Audit Report with respect to the pending WBERC matter. WBERC vide its order dated 7th July, 2014 in its slow-motion proceedings against your Company in respect of the Scheme has held that

the said arrangement needs prior approval of WBERC under Section 17(4) of the Electricity Act, 2003 and in absence of such prior approval, WBERC has held the Scheme as void as a licensee. The said order was challenged by your Company before the Honble High Court at Calcutta and the single member bench of Honble High Court at Calcutta quashed the said order dated 7th July, 2014 by allowing the Writ Application. WBERC has preferred an appeal against the order of the single member bench before the division bench of the Honble High Court at Calcutta. The disposal of the matter is presently pending.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Pursuant to Regulation 34(3) read with Schedule V to the Listing Regulations, the Report on Corporate Governance is attached to this Report as Annexure IV and the Certificate from M/s. S S Kothari Mehta & Co., the Statutory Auditors of your Company conforming compliance of the conditions of Corporate Governance forms part of the said Report.

PARTICULARS OF CONTRACTS OR ARRANGEMENTS WITH RELATED PARTIES

The Board of Directors of your Company has adopted a Related Party Transactions Policy to ensure proper approval, reporting and disclosure processes are in place for all transactions between your Company and Related Parties. The Related Party Transactions Policy is available on your Companys website at the link https://www.indiapower. com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/IPCL-RELATED-PARTY- TRANSACTION-POLICY-11-02-2022.pdf.

All Related Party Transactions entered into by your Company during the financial year 2022-23 were in the ordinary course of business and on an arms length basis and in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Listing Regulations and the Related Party Transactions Policy of your Company. No material Related Party Transaction arising from contract / arrangement / transaction under the purview of Section 188(1) of the Act was entered into with Related Parties during the financial year 2022-23, the disclosure of Related Party Transactions in terms of Section 134(3)(h) of the Act in Form AOC-2 is not applicable to your Company. The details of Related Party Transactions entered by your Company with Related Parties during the financial year 2022-23 are set out in the Notes to the Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March, 2023.

PARTICULARS OF LOANS, GUARANTEES OR INVESTMENTS

Your Company, being engaged in the business of providing infrastructure facilities, the loans made, guarantees given or security provided and the investments / acquisitions made by your Company by way of subscription, purchase or otherwise in the securities of any other body corporate are exempt from the applicability of provisions of Section 186 of the Act.

PARTICULARS REGARDING CONSERVATION OF ENERGY, TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION, FOREIGN EXCHANGE EARNINGS AND OUTGO

The statement containing the information relating to conservation of energy, technology absorption, foreign exchange earnings and outgo in accordance with Section 134(3)(m) of the Act read with Rule 8(3) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is attached to this Report as Annexure V.

DETAILS OF SIGNIFICANT AND MATERIAL ORDERS PASSED BY THE REGULATORS / COURTS / TRIBUNALS

There has been no significant and material order passed by the Regulators / Courts / Tribunals impacting the going concern status of your Company and its future operations.

PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYEES AND RELATED DISCLOSURES

The statements containing the information to be disclosed in terms of Section 197(12) of the Act read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 are attached to this Report as Annexure VI and Annexure VII.

COMPLIANCES WITH APPLICABLE SECRETARIAL STANDARDS

Your Directors confirm that the provisions of the applicable Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India have been duly complied with.

BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY REPORT

Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report for the financial year ended 31 st March, 2023 in terms of Regulation 34(2)(f) of the Listing Regulations is attached to this Report as Annexure VIII.

ANNUAL RETURN

In terms of the provisions of Sections 92(3) and 134(3) of the Act, the draft of the Annual Return for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023 is available on your Companys website and can be accessed at the link https://www. indiapower.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/DRAFT- ANNUAL-RETURN-2023.pdf.

OTHER DISCLOSURES / REPORTING

No disclosure or reporting is required in respect of the following items as there were no transactions done on these items during the year under review:

• There was no issue of equity shares with differential rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise.

• There was no issue of sweat equity shares.

• Your Company does not have any scheme of provision of money for the purchase of its own shares by employees or by trustees for the benefit of employees.

• There was no receipt of any remuneration or commission by the Executive Directors of your Company from any of its subsidiaries.

• There was no revision in the Financial Statements or the Report of the Board of your Company.

• There was no change in the nature of business.

During the financial year 2021-22, State Bank of India has filed an application before NCLT, Hyderabad against your Company (in its capacity as a Corporate Guarantor of MEL) under Section 7 read with Section 60(2) of IBC. The issue whether there exist a debt due to the lenders of MEL is presently sub-judice and hence the liability of your Company, if any in its capacity as a Corporate Guarantor is not crystallized. During the financial year 2020-21, Gupta Power Private Limited, an operational creditor filed an application under Section 9 of IBC before NCLT, Kolkata. The matter is reserved for order.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Your Directors would like to express their grateful appreciation for the co-operation and assistance extended to your Company by the Ministry of Power, WBERC, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, various Ministries of the Central and State Governments particularly the Power Departments, State Discoms, Central and State Transmission Companies, West Bengal Green Energy Development Corporation Limited, Damodar Valley Corporation, Power Exchanges, Department of Public Enterprises, Securities and Exchange Board of India, Stock Exchanges, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and other concerned Government departments / agencies.

The Board of Directors of your Company also conveys its gratitude to the valuable Stakeholders of your Company viz the Shareholders, Bankers, Contractors, Suppliers and other business associates for their continued trust and excellent support and the Consumers for their unwavering patronage. The Directors also places on record their appreciation for the unstinted efforts and contributions made by the Employees of your Company.

For and on behalf of the Board of Directors

	Raghav Raj Kanoria	Somesh Dasgupta
Place: Kolkata	Managing Director	Whole-time Director
Date: 25th May, 2023	DIN:07296482	DIN: 01298835