kalyani steels ltd Directors report


To,

The Members,

The Directors have pleasure in presenting the Fiffiieth Annual Report on the business and operations of the Company together with the Audited Financial Statements for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2023.

1. Financial Highlights

( Rs in Million)

2022-23 2021-22

Total Income

19,557.58 17,523.86

Total Expenditure

16,537.00 13,674.65

Finance Cost

280.96 132.09

Depreciation & amortization expenses

489.02 458.76

Profit before Exceptional Item and Tax

2,250.60 3,258.36

Exceptional Item

Profit before Tax

2,250.60 3,258.36

Tax Expenses :

- Current Tax

632.50 886.00

- Deferred Tax

(52.42) (56.79)

- Taxation in respect of earlier years

0.25

Profit affier Tax

1,670.27 2,429.15

2. Dividend

Based on the Companys performance, the Directors are pleased to recommend a dividend of Rs 10/- per Equity Share of Rs 5/- each (i.e. 200%), for the financial year ended March 31, 2023, for approval of the members. The Board has recommended dividend based on the parameters laid down in the Dividend Distribution Policy, adopted by the Company pursuant to Regulation 43A of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

The dividend on Equity Shares, if approved by the members would involve cash out" flow of Rs 436.53 Million and shall be subject to deduction of income tax at source.

3. Reserves

During the year under review, the Company does not propose to transfer any amount to the General Reserve. An amount of Rs 14,177 Million is proposed to be retained as Retained Earnings.

4. Performance of the Company

The steel industry faced numerous challenges in FY 2022-23 caused by external negative global headwinds such as volatility in raw material & commodity prices, in" ationary pressures, rising interest rates, supply chain related issues due to Russia-Ukraine war, depreciating rupee etc.

One of the key commodities for alloy steel industry, Ferro Moly exhibited a steep & sudden increase of more than 100% from April, 2022 at $ 48/Kg to $ 99.3/Kg in February, 2023 before coming down to $ 78/Kg in March, 2023. Such price volatility in commodity prices puts negative pressure on the profitability of the Company. Despite such a volatile & complex business environment, the Company has delivered extremely well results during FY 2022-23. The Company achieved Revenue from Operations of Rs 18,994 Million against Rs 17,060 Million in FY 2021-22. The Profit before tax is Rs 2,251 Million against Rs 3,258 Million in FY 2021-22.

The automotive sector is a key contributor to the Companys business portfolio. FY 2022-23 has seen remarkable growth in passenger vehicles (PV) sales at 4.5 Million vehicles at a growth of 29% over

FY 2021-22. With 4.5 Million vehicles sales, PV has crossed the pre-pandemic levels. Further, the growth momentum is expected to continue even in FY 2023-24. Commercial Vehicles, Two Wheelers & Three Wheelers are yet to catch up with the pre-pandemic numbers but have exhibited growth. Increased auto sales would further improve the business performance of the Company in FY 2023-24.

The alloy steel sector would also observe rising demand from sunrise sectors such as Renewable Energy, Hydrogen electrolyzer & storage solutions, H2 fuel cells, sustainable heating solutions etc. where specialty alloys steel products would be used. The Company is continuously investing in R&D to develop new steel grades suitable for a variety of applications catering to these segments. This would also help the Company to increase its profitability in the near future.

5. Commissioning of Coke Making Facility and partial commissioning of Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) based Captive Power Plant

The members are aware that the Company had planned to set up a 200,000 TPA Non-recovery / Heat recovery, stamp charged Coke Oven with Modiffied wet Quenching of hot coke and 17-18 MW captive power plant to be operated utilizing waste heat energy of fiue gas generated from Coke Oven. The electrical power so produced shall be used for captive consumption and the surplus, if any, will be sold to external agencies. The Broad Speciffications were as follows : l Coke Oven

? Annual capacity (Dry coke) – 0.2 MT

? No. of Ovens – 72 (Divided in two batteries of 36 ovens each) l Heat Recovery Captive Power Plant

? Power generation capacity – 17-18 MW

? Generation voltage – 11KV

Respecting its commitment to the Atmanirbhar Bharat campaign, the process technology adopted was indigenous coke-making technology with all latest innovations incorporated for a high degree of technological performance and product quality.

It is a pleasure to inform you that the Company has commissioned the Coke oven plant with all its auxiliaries and utility systems and started its commercial production from March 31, 2023. The production has already attained the designed capacity and the product quality is amongst the best in the industry.

The power plant with the turbine - generator with all the balance of plant (BOPs) with one of the two boilers has also been commissioned, while the second boiler to be added to the steam circuit is going to be commissioned shortly.

6. State of Companys Afiairs

Discussion on the state of Companys a" airs has been covered as part of the Management Discussion and Analysis (MD&A). MD&A for the year under review, as stipulated under Regulation 34 of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, is presented in a separate section forming part of the Annual Report.

7. Corporate Governance

The Company aspires to reach highest standards of Corporate Governance and adhere to the Corporate Governance Requirements set out by SEBI.

The Report on Corporate Governance as stipulated under SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, is presented in a separate section forming part of the Annual Report.

The requisite certificate from Secretarial Auditors of the Company viz. M/s. SVD & Associates, Company Secretaries, Pune certifying compliance of the conditions of Corporate Governance is attached to Report on Corporate Governance.

8. Deposits

During the year under review, the Company has not accepted any deposit under Chapter V of the Companies Act, 2013.

9. Directors

In terms of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Articles of Association of the Company, Mrs.Sunita B. Kalyani and Mr.Amit B. Kalyani, Directors of the Company, are retiring by rotation at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and being eligible, have offiered themselves for re-appointment.

These re-appointments form part of the Notice of the Annual General Meeting and the Resolutions are recommended for your approval. Proffiles of these Directors, are given in the Report on Corporate Governance for reference of the members.

The Company has received declarations from all Independent Directors that they meet the criteria of independence as prescribed under Section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013 and Regulation 16(1)(b) of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

9.1 Board Evaluation

The Nomination and Remuneration Policy of the Company empowers the Nomination and Remuneration Committee to formulate a process for effective evaluation of the performance of individual Directors, Committees of the Board and the Board as a whole, in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 Act and SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.

The Board formally assesses its own performance based on parameters which, inter alia, include performance of the Board on deciding long term strategy planning, structure, composition and role clarity of the Board and Committees, discharging of governance and ffifiduciary duties, handling critical issues etc.

The performance of the committees was evaluated by the Board afier seeking inputs from the committee members on the basis of criteria such as composition of the committee, effectiveness of the committee meetings, information and functioning.

The parameters for the performance evaluation of the Directors include contribution made at the Board / Committee meetings, attendance, instances of sharing best practices, domain knowledge, vision, strategy, engagement with senior management etc.

In a separate meeting of independent directors, the performance of Non-Independent Directors and the Board as a whole was evaluated. Additionally, they also reviewed performance of the Chairman of the Board, taking into account the views of Executive and Non-executive Directors. They also assessed the quality, quantity and timeliness of " flow of information between the Company management and the Board that is necessary for the Board to effectively and reasonably perform their duties. The above evaluations were then discussed in the Board meeting and performance evaluation of Independent Directors was done by the entire Board, excluding the Independent Director being evaluated.

9.2 Nomination & Remuneration Policy

The Nomination and Remuneration Policy of the Company, inter alia, provides that the Nomination and Remuneration Committee shall formulate the criteria for appointment of Directors on the Board of the Company and persons holding Senior Management positions in the Company, including their remuneration and other matters as provided under Section 178 of the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The Policy is available on the website of the Company. (Web-link : http://www.kalyanisteels.com/profile/policies/).

9.3 Meetings of the Board

During the Financial Year 2022-23, four Board Meetings were convened and held. Also a separate meeting of Independent Directors as prescribed under Schedule IV of the Companies Act, 2013 was held. The details of meetings of Board of Directors are provided in the Report on Corporate Governance that forms part of this Annual Report.

10. Directors Responsibility Statement

Pursuant to the requirements under Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013, with respect to Directors Responsibility Statement, it is hereby confirmed that :

i) in the preparation of the annual accounts for the year ended March 31, 2023, the applicable accounting standards have been followed and that there are no material departures;

ii) the Directors 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 affiairs of the Company as at March 31, 2023 and of the profit of the Company for that period;

iii) the Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;

iv) the Directors have prepared the annual accounts for the year ended March 31, 2023, on a going concern basis;

v) the Directors have laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and were operating effectively; and

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

11. Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption and Foreign Exchange Earnings & Outgo

The information on conservation of energy, technology absorption and foreign exchange earnings and outgo, as required to be disclosed under Section 134(3)(m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is annexed herewith as Annexure "A".

12. Corporate Social Responsibility

The Company has been carrying out various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities in the areas of education, health, water, sanitation etc. These activities are carried out in terms of Section 135 read with Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 and Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014.

The Annual Report on CSR Activities undertaken by the Company is annexed herewith as Annexure "B". The CSR Policy is available on the Companys website. (Web-link : http://www.kalyanisteels.com/profile/policies/)

13. Related Party Transactions

All transactions with related parties were reviewed and approved by the Audit Committee and were in accordance with the Policy on dealing with and materiality of related party transactions and the related party framework, formulated and adopted by the Company.

All contracts or arrangements entered into by the Company with Related Parties during the financial year were on an arms length basis and in the ordinary course of business.

Pursuant to Section 134 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8(2) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, the particulars of transactions with related parties, are provided in Form AOC-2, which is annexed herewith as Annexure "C". Related party disclosures as per Ind AS have been provided in Note 38 to the Financial Statements.

The policy on Related Party Transactions in line with the requirements of SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and as approved by the Board is uploaded on the Companys website. (Web-link : http://www.kalyanisteels.com/profile/policies/)

14. Risk Management

Risk management, which aims at managing the impact of uncertainties, is an Integral part of the Companys strategy setting and decision making process. The Company regularly identiffies uncertainties and afier assessing them, devises short-term and long-term plans to mitigate any risk which could materially impact on the Companys goals. This process of identifying and assessing the risks is a two-way process with inputs being taken from employees across the organization.

The Risk Management Committee of the Company is entrusted by the Board to frame, implement and monitor the risk management plan for the Company. The committee is responsible for reviewing the risk management plan and ensuring its effectiveness. The Audit Committee has additional oversight in the area of financial risks and controls. The major risks identified by the businesses and functions are systematically addressed through mitigating actions on a continuing basis.

The policy on Risk Management as approved by the Board is uploaded on the Companys website.

(Web-link : http://www.kalyanisteels.com/profile/policies/)

15. Audit Committee

As on March 31, 2023, the Audit Committee comprises of Mr.S.K. Adivarekar, Chairman of the Committee and Independent Director, Mr.B.N. Kalyani, Promoter Non-Executive Director, Mr.B.B. Hattarki and Mrs.Shruti A. Shah, Independent Directors.

All the recommendations made by the Audit Committee were deliberated and accepted by the Board during the Financial Year 2022-23.

16. Auditors and Auditors Report

M/s. Kirtane & Pandit LLP, Chartered Accountants, Pune (Firm Registration No.105215W / W100057), are the

Auditors of the Company and they hold ofice till the conclusion of the Fi" y-Fourth Annual General Meeting to be held in the year 2027.

The Notes on Financial Statements referred to in the Auditors Report are self-explanatory and hence do not call for any further comments. The Auditors Report does not contain any qualification, reservation, adverse remark or disclaimer.

During the year under review, the Auditors of the Company have not reported any fraud as specified under Section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 to the Audit Committee.

17. Cost Auditors

The Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Audit Committee, has appointed M/s S.R. Bhargave & Co., Cost Accountants, Pune for conducting the cost audit of the Company for Financial Year 2023-24.

As required under the Companies Act, 2013, the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditors is required to be ratified by the members of the Company. Accordingly, resolution seeking members ratiffication for remuneration to be paid to Cost Auditors is included at Item No.7 of the Notice convening Annual General Meeting.

18. Secretarial Audit and Secretarial Standards

Pursuant to provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board had appointed M/s. SVD & Associates, Company Secretaries, Pune, to undertake Secretarial Audit of the Company for the Financial Year 2022-23. The Secretarial Audit Report for the Financial Year ended March 31, 2023, is annexed herewith as Annexure "D". The Secretarial Audit Report does not contain any qualification, reservation, adverse remark or disclaimer.

The Company is compliant with the Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India and approved by Central Government under Section 118(10) of the Companies Act, 2013.

19. Information pursuant to Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014

The information required pursuant to Section 197(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 5(1) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, has been provided in Annexure "E".

In terms of Section 136 of the Companies Act, 2013, the Report and Accounts are being sent to the shareholders excluding the information required under Rule 5(2) and (3) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014. Any shareholder interested in obtaining the same may write to the Company Secretary at investor@kalyanisteels.com.

20. Annual Return

In accordance with Section 92(3) read with Section 134(3)(a) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Annual Return of the Company as on March 31, 2022, filed with Registrar of Companies, is available on the Website of the Company at www.kalyanisteels.com

21. Whistle Blower Policy

The Company promotes ethical behaviour in all its business activities, in line with the best governance practices. The Company has a robust vigil mechanism through its Whistle Blower Policy, approved and adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The Whistle Blower Policy is available on the Companys website. (Web-link : http://www.kalyanisteels.com/profile/policies/)

The Policy provides a formal channel whereby the employees / directors can report the instances of unethical behavior, actual or suspected fraud or any violation of the Code of Conduct and / or laws applicable to the Company, report the instances of leakage of unpublished price sensitive information and seek redressal. This mechanism provides appropriate protection to the genuine Whistle Blower, who avail of the mechanism. During the year under review, the Company has not received any complaint under the said mechanism.

22. Particulars of Loans, Guarantees or Investments Particulars of Loans, Guarantees and Investments covered under Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013, forms part of the notes to the Financial Statements provided in this Annual Report.

23. Internal Financial Controls

The Companys internal financial control systems are commensurate with the nature of its business, the size and complexity of its operations and such controls with reference to the Financial Statements are adequate.

The Internal Financial Control Systems over financial reporting ensures that all transactions are authorized, recorded and reported correctly in a timely manner. The Company has laid down Standard Operating Procedures, Policies and Authority to guide the operations of the business. Functional heads are responsible to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations and also with the policies and procedures laid down by the management.

24. Material Changes and Commitments, if any, afiecting Financial Position of the Company

There are no adverse material changes or commitments that occurred afier March 31, 2023, which may a" ect the financial position of the Company or may require disclosure.

25. Signi" cant and Material Orders

There are no significant and material orders passed by the regulators or courts or tribunals impacting the going concern status and Companys operations in future.

26. Familiarization Programme

Detailed presentations are made to the entire Board including independent Directors from time to time on various matters such as the Companys operations and business plans, strategic plans, plant operations, regulatory updates etc. The Functional heads are invited from time to time to present before the Board, key matters pertaining to their area of expertise.

Apart from the above, the Directors are regularly briefed and updated on the Companys policies and procedures, business model, the industry and operating environment that the Company operates in. For newly appointed directors detailed induction program involving the brieffing on the Companys philosophy on Governance, Ethics and Compliance coupled with the Companys policies and interactions with the leadership team is in place.

The details of programmes for familiarization of Independent Directors with the Company are put up on Website of the Company. (Web-link : http://www.kalyanisteels.com/profile/policies/)

27. Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures or Associate Companies

As on March 31, 2023, the Company has one associate and one joint venture company. A statement containing the salient features of the financial statement of the associate and joint venture in the prescribed format AOC–1 is annexed hereto as Annexure "F".

The Policy for determining ‘Material subsidiaries has been displayed on the Companys website. (Web-link : http://www.kalyanisteels.com/profile/policies/)

Lord Ganesha Minerals Private Limited (LGMPL), subsidiary of the Company, had made voluntary application on February 9, 2022, to the Registrar of Companies (ROC), Pune (Maharashtra), for striking offiits name from the Register of Companies, pursuant to the provisions of Section 248 of the Companies Act, 2013. The final order of the ROC approving striking offithe name was passed on April 26, 2022.

28. Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (‘SEBI), in May, 2021, introduced new sustainability related reporting requirements to be reported in the speciffic format of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (‘BRSR). BRSR is a notable departure from the existing Business Responsibility Report (‘BRR) and a significant step towards giving platform to the companies to report the initiatives taken by them in areas of environment, social and governance. Further, SEBI has mandated top 1,000 listed companies, based on market capitalization, submission of BRSR from FY 2022-23 onwards.

In accordance with the aforesaid SEBI requirement, Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report is provided as a part of this Annual Report, as Annexure "G".

29. Transfer to Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF)

Pursuant to provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, read with the Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (Accounting, Audit, Transfer and Refund) Rules, 2016 (IEPF Rules) the declared dividends, which are unpaid or unclaimed for a period of seven (7) years and the shares thereof, shall be transferred by the Company to the Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF) established by the Central Government. The shareholders have an option to claim the amount of the dividend transferred and / or shares from IEPF. No claim shall be entertained against the Company for the dividend amounts and shares so transferred. During the year, no unpaid or unclaimed dividend and the shares thereof, were liable to be transferred to IEPF.

30. Obligation of Company under The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013

The Company has zero tolerance for sexual harassment of women at workplace and has adopted a Policy for prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment at workplace, in terms of provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) and the rules framed thereunder. All women employees (permanent, temporary, contractual and trainees), as well as any women visiting the Companys ofice premises are covered under the Policy.

The Company has constituted an Internal Complaints Committee under the POSH Act. During the year under review, no complaints were received by the Committee.

31. Acknowledgement

The Directors would like to express their sincere appreciation of the co-operation received from the Central Government, the Government of Maharashtra, the Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board, Financial Institutions and the Bankers. The Directors also wish to place on record their appreciation for the commitment displayed by all employees at all levels, resulting in the successful performance of the Company during the year.

The Directors also take this opportunity to express their deep gratitude for the continued co-operation and support received from its valued shareholders.

The Directors express their special thanks to Mr.B.N. Kalyani, Chairman of the Company, for his relentless actions for the progress of the Company.

for and on behalf of the Board of Directors

Place : Pune

B.N. Kalyani

Date : April 28, 2023

Chairman