To Members of The State Trading Corporation of India Limited Report on the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying standalone financial statements of The State Trading Corporation of India Limited ("the Company"), which comprise the Balance Sheet as at 31st March, 2024, the Statement of Profit and Loss (including Other Comprehensive Income), the statement of changes in Equity and the Standalone Cash Flow Statement for the year then ended, notes to the Standalone financial statements including a summary of the significant accounting policies and other explanatory information (hereinafter referred to as "The Standalone Financial Statements").
Qualified Opinion
In our opinion and because of the various issues as mentioned in the Basis for Qualified Opinion paragraphs, the aforesaid Standalone Financial Statements except for the qualified opinion give the information required by the Companies Act 2013 ("the Act") in the manner so required and present a true and fair view in conformity with the Indian Accounting Standards prescribed under Section 133 of the Act read with the Companies ( Indian Accounting Standards ) Rule 2015 as amended, ("Ind AS") and other accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of afiairs of the Company as at 31st March 2024 and its net profit and other comprehensive income, changes in equity and its cash fiows for the year ended on that date.
Basis for Qualified Opinion
1. Non-Current Assets held for Sale
i. Refer to Note No.4(a) of Standalone Financial Statements, non-availability of title deeds in the name of the |
company in respect of following properties namely |
a) Leasehold Building |
i. Leasehold land at Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan valued at Rs. 55,929 lacs |
ii. Leasehold land at Housing Colony at Aurobindo Marg valued at Rs. 12,394 lacs |
iii. Plot at Mallet Bunder, Mumbai Port Trust valued at Rs. 11.67 lacs |
b) Freehold Building |
i. 8 Residential Flats at Asian Games Village Complex, allotted by DDA amounting to Rs. 2720 lacs |
ii. 7 apartments in difierent locations of Mumbai amounting to Rs. 1918 lacs
Further, lease period for plot at Mallet Bunder, Mumbai Port Trust has already expired and the land has been handed over to Mumbai Port Trust. Surrender certificate has been executed on 12.11.2021. But this still continues to be shown as non-current assets held for sale. Thus, non- current assets held for sale has been overstated by Rs. 11.67 lacs. It will also have consequential impact on the Statement of Profit and Loss account resulting into overstatement of profit by Rs. 11.67 lacs.
Further the farm tanks installed at Mallet Bunder amounting to Rs. 14.84 lacs have also been handed over on as is where is basis. The company has not raised any debit note for the same and thus non-current assets are being overstated by Rs. 14.84 lacs.
Further, company has not amortized the value of the leasehold properties according to the IND AS 116 for the period expired till 31.03.2024 resulting into overstatement of non-current assets held for sale and consequential impact on profit of the company, the amount whereof could not be quantified in absence of complete data from the Company. ii. Refer Note No. 4, for non-adjustment of value/area in Fixed Assets Register against areas acquired by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for construction of Metro Station & by L&DO for widening of the Road during Asian Games, as well as the fiats/area of land sold by the company to The Handicrafts and Handloom Exports Corporation of India Limited (HHEC) for its Housing colony. Management is in correspondence with DMRC and concerned departments.
This has resulted into overstatement of non-current assets held for sale and consequential impact on profit of the company, the amount whereof could not be quantified in absence of complete data from the Company.
2. Trade Receivables
All trade receivables amounting to 1,69,688.11 lacs as per Note No. 9 have been outstanding for more than 3 years. The Company has made provision for bad and doubtful debts amounting to Rs. 62,727.62 lacs and another sum of Rs. 1,06,960.49 lacs have been shown as "Having Significant increase in credit risk" since the same is under litigation. As per Note No.9, it is explained that no provision has been made for the same since the relevant creditors will be paid only after recovery of these trade receivables, though in most of the cases agreements are not tripartite. Further there has been no recovery during the Financial Year 2023-24 and there is no major update of legal cases which are pending at various forums. Thus trade receivable are not stated at realizable value less cost to be incurred to recover these trade receivables. There is also no balance confirmation available for these trade receivables as on 31.03.2024 and hence we are unable to comment upon the genuineness and efiect of the same on the financial statements, if any. We are of the view that all trade receivables amounting to 1,69,688.11 lacs are considered doubtful of recovery resulting into short provision for doubtful debts amounting to Rs. 1,06,960.49 lacs. Thus the provision for bad and doubtful debts has been understated by Rs. 1,06,960.49 lacs and consequential impact on the statement of profit and Loss account resulting into overstatement of profit by Rs. 1,06,960.49 lacs. Further in case of M/s Rajat Pharmaceuticals Ltd (RPL), under note no.39.4, Pt.No.4, who drew bills of exchange on STC which were accepted upon receipt of overseas buyers pre-acceptance to STCs bills of exchange. However, the foreign buyers defaulted in making payments against the export bills and have gone into liquidation. A sum of Rs.52786 lacs has been admitted by the liquidator of one of the foreign buyers i.e. Loben Trading Co. Pte. Ltd, Singapore. A Decree of Rs 6247 lacs approx. has been passed by Honble Bombay High Court in favour of STC against the dues from another foreign buyer i.e Sweetland Trading Pte Ltd., Singapore. As of current date, RPL has gone into liquidation and oficial liquidator is appointed by Honble High Court of Bombay. The matter is also under investigation by CBI. Banks & Financial institutions have filed legal suit against RPL before DRT/High Court Mumbai, making STC also a party to the case claiming Rs. 47647 lacs. Also refer to Note No. 39, for matters other than RPL, as all these matters are sub-judice and/or under investigation of CBI and we are unable to comment upon the genuineness and efiect of the same on the Financial Statements.
3. Foreign Currency Receivables and Payables
Currently, as per books of accounts, USD 3,149.35 lacs and Euros 20.90 lacs is receivable from its foreign buyers and USD 41.49 lacs and Pound 0.04 lacs is payable to its foreign suppliers. In nutshell, there are foreign buyers and creditors standing in the financials of STC which have not been revalued in the FY 2023-24.
Thus, the Company has not complied with Ind AS 21 (regarding Efiects of Changes in Foreign Exchange) by not revaluing the carrying amounts, in most cases, of foreign currency receivables and payables, which are under litigation/disputed. Therefore, we are unable to ascertain the potential impact on the financial statements, if any.
4. Deferred tax Assets (Net)
Refer Note No. 12, the Company has MAT credit of Rs. 1616.96 lacs. Reversal of MAT credit was also raised by the CAG auditors for the FY 2020-21. But still the MAT credit has not been reversed and this has resulted into overstatement of profit by 1616.96 lacs and overstatement of Current assets by Rs. 1616.96 lacs.
5. Other Current Assets
i. Refer Note No. 14 -"Other Current Assets for non-provisioning in respect of Duties and taxes recoverable , CST (coal ) amounting to Rs. 6.89 lacs which is non recoverable and still not written ofi. ii. Refer Note No. 11- Other Financial Assets -Claims Recoverable: For non-provisioning in respect of Claims Recoverable o/s since more than 3 years amounting to Rs.3148.42 lacs where no present status is ascertained by the management of the Company and still not written ofi.
This is non-compliance of IND AS -36 as no provision has been made for impaired assets.
All these current assets are being refiected at their carrying amounts instead of on Realization values.
This has resulted into overstatement of Current assets by Rs.3148.42 lacs and overstatement of profit by Rs.3148.42 lacs
6. Provisions
Refer Note No. 38, for non-provision of a demand of Rs. 4,743 lacs out of total demand received from Land and Development Ofice - New Delhi amounting to Rs. 13,283 lacs (for the period March,2004 to July, 2018) which has resulted in overstatement of profit by Rs 4,743 lacs and understatement of liabilities. However, it has been shown as contingent liability. Also, company has not provided for interest accruing on the said demand amount (to be calculated at the rate of 10%) approx. The matter is under correspondence with L&DO ofice and no provision is made for the year 2023-24 in the accounts.
7. Trade Payables
Refer Note No.21, All the trade payables amounting to Rs. 1,11,775.72 lacs are without any balance confirmation and are outstanding for more than 3 financial years.
No amount is payable to these parties as these are suppliers who have entered into legal agreement with STC wherein no amount is payable to them until and unless the amount is recovered from the buyer. Thus, the management has not accorded any treatment to these trade payables and to that extent, liabilities are overstated.
8. Statutory Dues
GST
Refer Note No.14, The GST input receivable and payable balances are not reconciled by the Company as on March 31,2024. GST input Rs 64.73 lacs - non claimable but no provision has been made. Profit of the company is overstated by the same amount.
Tax Deducted at Source
TDS deducted will be reconciled with form 26AS at the time of submitting Income Tax return, as on the date of report the complete information is not available.
No provision has been made for TDS default of Rs 8.89 lacs pending, submission of correction statements.
9. Other Observations
i. Refer Note No. 24, customer at credit includes amount payable to U.P. Government amounting to Rs 603 lacs. As informed by the management, the company has made various other claims on U.P Government and accordingly dues of Rs. 3382.23 lacs is recoverable from U.P. Government for which debit note dated March 10, 2014 was raised. However, the said claim was not recognized in the standalone financial statements of the company till date, as its ultimate collection was not certain. In absence of information on acceptability of the said claim by the UP Government, we are unable to ascertain its possible impact, if any, on the standalone financial statements of the Company. ii. The impact of the following observations is not ascertainable: -a. Refer to Cases and Disputes and matters under Litigation and amounts covered under Contingent Assets and Contingent Liabilities, since majority of the matters are subjudice, it is not possible to quantify the liabilities and the interest obligation if any on these cases.
Refers to Note No.38, in respect of litigation matters, their present status and provisioning, if any, required and on-going investigations into the alleged irregularities; further, the Companys past operations have exposed it to the risk of extensive litigation and contractual claims from third parties with increased litigation costs not fully provided for. Due to the range of potential outcomes, voluntary retirement of employees dealing with these cases and the significant uncertainty around the resolution of various claims, the amount of ultimate liabilities, if any, to be recorded in the statements as provision is not ascertainable. b. Refer to Claims recoverable from HHEC & CgstCIC, co-owner to the property at Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan, who have not paid their share of expenses to STC since last many years amounting to Rs. 2258.98 lacs (Rs. 602.59 lacs for HHEC & Rs.1656.39 lacs for CCIC) as on March 31,2024. The matter is said to be under correspondence with HHEC & CCIC. c. Borrowings Refer to Note No. 20, the view of the default by the company in paying due to interest amount to the banks, STC was declared NPA. The lender banks have initiated DRT proceedings against the company. The memorandum of the OTS (MOTS) proposal with lender banks is still in progress STC is pursuing alternative course of settlement with lender banks instead of transfer of immovable properties, a formal proposal submitted to the lender banks, which is under consideration with lender bank. The same has been updated in DRT proceeding & the Next Date of Hearing is 09.07.2024. This updation of OTS & DRT has been informed to MOC&I.
Borrowings have been refiected at Rs. 80,623.24 lacs. Impact of MOTS proceedings and interest liability on borrowing is not quantified.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (SAs) specified under section 143(10) of the Companies Act, 2013. Our responsibilities under those Standards are further described in the Auditors Responsibilities 44 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 financial statements under the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the ICAIs Code of Ethics.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suficient and appropriate to provide a basis for opinion (including the basis for the qualified opinion)
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 financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
Information Other than the Financial Statements and Auditors Report thereon
The Companys Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Management Discussion and Analysis, Annual Report on CSR activities, Report on Corporate Governance, Secretarial Auditors Report Information, but does not include the standalone financial statements and our auditors report thereon. The Management Discussion and Analysis, Annual Report on CSR activities, Report on Corporate Governance, Secretarial Auditors Report is expected to be made available to us after the date of this auditors report. 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 identified above when it becomes available to us and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the standalone financial statements or our knowledge obtained during the course of our audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. When we read such other information as and when made available to us and if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the matter to those charged with governance.
Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Standalone Financial Statements
The Companys Board of Directors are responsible for the matters stated in section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act") with respect to the preparation of these standalone financial statements that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance, (changes in equity) and cash fiows 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 read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015 as amended. This responsibility also includes maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding of the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate implementation and maintenance of accounting policies; making judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls, that were operating efiectively for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, relevant to the preparation and presentation of the financial statement that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. Management has prepared these financial statements on non-going concern basis as per decision of the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors are also responsible for overseeing the Companys financial reporting process. However, it is to point out that there are no Full Time Working Directors in the Company as on 31st March, 2024 and the Company is functioning only with the assistance of Independent Directors and Director (Finance) on Additional Charge.
Auditors 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 auditors 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 infiuence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with SAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
Identified and assessed the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is suficient 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.
Obtained an understanding of internal financial controls 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 system in place and the operating efiectiveness of such controls.
Evaluated the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
Concluded on the appropriateness of managements use of the non-going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditors report to the related disclosures in the 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 auditors report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.
Evaluated the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. However the financial statements of the Company have been prepared on non-going concern basis as decided by the Board of Directors.
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 and importance in the audit of the financial statements of the current period and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditors 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 (Auditors Report) Order, 2020 ("the Order"), issued by the Central Government of India in terms of sub-section (11) of section 143 of the Companies Act, 2013, and on the basis of such checks of the books and records of the Company as we considered appropriate and according to the information and explanation given to us, 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. As required by Section 143(3) of the Act, we report that: i. We have sought and obtained all the information and explanations, except for the matters referred in "Basis for Qualified Opinion"- Impact of which is partly non-ascertainable, which to the best of our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of our audit and if not, the details thereof and the efiect of such information on the financial statements. ii. In our opinion, proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the Company, except for the matters referred in "Basis for Qualified Opinion", so far as it appears from our examination of those books and proper returns adequate for the purposes of our audit have been received from the company. iii. The Balance Sheet, the Statement of Profit and loss including the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income, the Cash Flow Statement and Statement of Changes in Equity dealt with by this Report are in agreement with the books of account. iv. In our opinion, the aforesaid standalone financial statements comply with the Indian Accounting Standards, except for the Basis for Qualified opinion, specified under Section 133 of the Act, read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015 as amended. v. The going concern matter described under "Material uncertainty in relation to Going Concern" paragraph above, in our opinion, may have an adverse efiect on the functioning of the company. vi. Pursuant to the Notification No. GSR 463(E) dated 5th June 2015 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Afiairs, Government of India, provisions of sub-section (2) of Section 164 of the Act are not applicable to the Company, being a Government Company; vii. With respect to the adequacy of the internal financial controls over financial reporting of the Company and the operating efiectiveness of such controls, refer to our separate Report in "Annexure B". Our report expresses a qualified opinion on the adequacy and operating efiectiveness of the Companys internal financial controls over financial reporting. viii. Pursuant to the Notification No. GSR 463(E) dated 5th June 2015 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Afiairs, Government of India, provisions of Section 197 of the Companies Act, 2013, are not applicable to the Company, being a Government Company; and ix. With respect to the other matters to be included in the Auditors Report in accordance with Rule 11 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, as amended in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us: a. The Company has not been able to disclose the impact of pending litigations on its financial position in its financial statements, refer note 38 & 39 to the financial statements. b. The Company did not have any long-term contracts including derivative contracts for which there were any material foreseeable profits. c. During the year, the Company has made no transfer to Investor Education and Protection Fund due to heavy accumulated profits. Therefore, question of delay in transferring amounts, required to be transferred, by the Company does not arise. d. i) The Management of the Company , whose financial statements have been audited under the Act, have represented to us that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, other than as disclosed in notes to accounts, no funds (which are material either individually or in the aggregate) 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 person or entity, including foreign entity (Intermediaries) with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the intermediary shall, whether directly or indirectly lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Company (Ultimate Beneficiaries) or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries. ii) The respective Management of the Company, whose financial statements have been audited under the Act, have represented to us that, to the best of their knowledge and belief, no funds (which are material either individually or in the aggregate) have been received by the Company from any person or entity, including foreign entity (Funding Parties) with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Company shall, whether directly or indirectly lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Funding Party (Ultimate Beneficiaries) or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries. (iii) Based on the audit procedures that have been considered reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances performed by us, whose financial statements have been audited under the Act, nothing has come to our attention that has caused us to believe that the representations under sub-clause (i) and (ii) of Rule 11 (e) as provided under (a) and (b) above, contain any material misstatement. e. There has been no dividend declared during the year. f. Proviso to Rule 3(1) of the Companies (Accounts)Rules, 2014 for maintaining books of account using accounting software which has a feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility is applicable to the Company with efiect from April 1, 2023.
Based on our examination which included test checks, the Company have used accounting software (Tally Prime) for maintaining its books of account, which have a feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility and the same has operated throughout the year for all relevant transactions recorded in the respective software.
As proviso to Rule 3(1) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is applicable from April 1, 2023, reporting under Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014 on preservation of audit trail as per the statutory requirements for record retention is not relevant for the financial year ended March 31, 2024.
3. We are enclosing our report in terms of Section 143 (5) of the Act, on the directions and sub-directions issued by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, on the basis of such checks of the books and records of the Company as we considered appropriate and according to the information and explanations given to us, in Annexure- C.
For P V A R & ASSOCIATES |
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS |
FRN No. 005223C |
Sd/- |
(CA RUCHI AGARWAL) |
Partner |
Membership No. 504134 |
UDIN: 24504134BKEGUE9821 |
Place: New Delhi |
Date: 28.05.2024 |
ANNEXURE A TO INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT
Referred to Paragraph 1 under the heading of "Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements" of Independent Auditors Report of even date to the members of The State Trading Corporation of India Limited on the Standalone Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024.
1. Fixed Assets
a) The Company has maintained proper records showing full particulars, including quantitative details and situation of fixed assets (Assets held for disposal). b) The "Assets held for disposal" have been physically verified by the Company during the year and no material discrepancies were observed in such verification. 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 are held in the name of the Company except for cases as below:
Location |
Description | Held in the name of | Audit observations | Gross Block/ Revalued amount | Net Block (in crore) |
( in Crore) | |||||
New Delhi | Lease hold Land | President of | Execution of lease deed is pending | 581.88 | 559.29 |
at Tolstoy Marg, | India | since 1975. Further, out of total area, | |||
Jawahar Vayapar | physical position of land measuring | ||||
Bhawan, New Delhi. | 714.60 sq mtrs is not now with STC | ||||
Area: 2.599 acres | (i.e. 388.91 sq mtrs. acquired by DMRC | ||||
for construction of Metro and 325.69 | |||||
sq mtrs. by NDMC for widening of the | |||||
Road during Asian Game) and value | |||||
the same has not been uploaded in | |||||
FAR / FAS. Measurement for area under | |||||
physical position is yet to be done. | |||||
New Delhi | STC / MMTC Housing | President of | Execution of lease deed (for 50% share | 125.57 | 123.94 |
Colony, Aurobindo | India | of total land measuring 32.33 acre) | |||
Marg, New Delhi | allotted for housing colony is still | ||||
Area: 16.17 acres | pending. Further, records / details for | ||||
area given by STC from its own share | |||||
to HHEC for its housing colony is to be | |||||
adjusted in the FAR / FAS. Measurement | |||||
for area under physical position of the | |||||
company is yet to be done. | |||||
New Delhi | Flats at AGVC, Khel | President of | Execution of lease / conveyance deed is | 27.45 | 27.20 |
Gaon Marg, New | India | still pending.. | |||
Delhi. | |||||
Area: 8 fiats | |||||
measuring 14424 | |||||
sq fts | |||||
Mumbai | 7 nos. of Flats (refer | President of | Execution of lease / conveyance deed is | 29.35 | 19.18 |
foot note of note | India | still pending. | |||
no.4 | |||||
Area: 7997 sq fts | |||||
Mumbai | Mallet Bunder | President of | Lease deed expired since 2016 and | 36.72 | 11.67 |
Area: 11586.96 sq | India | the company has surrendered the | |||
meters approx | plot, certificate being executed on | ||||
12.11.2021 |
All the aforesaid properties have been held in the name of the promoter i.e. President of India. No valid reason could be provided by the management as to why title deed has not been executed in the name of STC. d) According to the Information and explanations given to us and on the basis of the examination of the record of the Company, the Company has not revalued its Property, Plant and Equipment (now classified as "Assets held for disposal" or intangible assets or both) during the year except for impairment of Asset. e) Original title deeds of 1 Ahmedabad, 18 Mumbai fiats & 2 Kolkata fiats are not available with the company, however photocopies and true copies are available with the company.
Name of Statue |
Nature of Dues | Period to which Amount relates | Forum where dispute is pending | Amount (in crores) |
Sales Tax & Custom Duty |
||||
Customs Act | Custom Duty | 2011-12 | CESTAT, Ahmedabad | 1.69 |
Customs Act | Customs | - | Commissioner (Appeals), | 0.06 |
Mumbai | ||||
Custom Act | Custom Duty | 2017-18 | CESTAT, Chennai | 4.16 |
Sales Tax | Sales Tax | 1986-87 | Kerala High Court | 0.50 |
Orissa Sales Tax Act | Sales tax | 1988-89 | Commissioner (Appeals), | 0.01 |
Orissa | ||||
Bihar Sales Tax Act | Sales tax | 1989-90 | Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal | 0.01 |
Central Sales Tax Act | CST, WB | 2003-04 | Joint Commissioner, Sales Tax | 0.23 |
f) According to the Information and explanation given to us and on the basis of the examination of the record of the Company, no proceedings have been initiated or are pending against the Company for holding any benami property under the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, 1988 (45 of 1988) and rules made thereunder.
2. Inventories and Working Capital Limits
Since the Company does not have any tradeable inventory, this item is not applicable.
However, the Company has stock of stationery/Stores and spares, which does not have any significant value and has been physically verified by the Company.
3. According to information and explanations given to us, the Company has not granted any loans, secured or unsecured to companies, firms, limited liability partnerships or other parties covered in the register maintained under section 189 of the Companies Act, 2013 (the Act). Accordingly, clauses (iii) (a), (b) & (c) of paragraph 3 of the Order are not applicable to the Company.
4. According to the information and explanations given to us, the Company has not given any loans, or made any investments or provided any guarantees or security to the parties covered under sections 185 and 186 of the Act. Accordingly, paragraph 3 (iv) of the Order is not applicable to the Company.
5. The Company has not accepted any deposits, in terms of the directives issued by the Reserve Bank of India and the provisions of sections 73 to 76 or any other relevant provisions of the Companies Act 2013 and the rules framed there under. Thus clause (V) of Paragraph 3 of the order is not applicable to the Company.
6. We have been explained that the Central Government has not prescribed the maintenance of cost records for the services of the Company under Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014, prescribed by the Central Government under Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013. Accordingly, this clause of the order is not applicable to the Company.
7. Statutory Dues:
a) According to the information and explanations given to us and on the basis of our examination of the books of account, the company is regular in depositing undisputed statutory dues, including provident fund, employees state insurance, income-tax, sales-tax, goods and service tax, service tax, duty of customs, duty of excise, value added tax, cess and other statutory dues which may be applicable to the Company. According to information and explanation given to us there are no outstanding undisputed statutory dues as referred above as at the last day of the financial year under audit 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 as per books of account, there are dues outstanding of Sales Tax, Wealth Tax, Custom Duty Excise Duty, Value Added Tax, Service Tax, Goods & Service Tax and Cess which have not been deposited as on 31st March 2024 by the company, on account of any dispute are as under (refer Note no.38(ii) in financial statements)
Name of Statue |
Nature of Dues | Period to which Amount relates | Forum where dispute is pending | Amount (in crores) |
West Bengal Vat Act / | WBVAT | 2011-12 | Joint Commissioner, | 0.02 |
Central Sales Tax Act | CST, WB | Commercial Tax | ||
Central Sales Tax Act | Central Sales Tax Act | 1993-94 | Honble Assam High Court | 0.02 |
1994-95 | ||||
1995-96 | ||||
Maharashtra Sales Tax Act | Sales Tax | 1992-93 | Maharashtra Sales Tax | 0.74 |
1996-97 | Tribunal | |||
Maharashtra Sales Tax Act | BST, CST & MVAT | 1993-94 | Joint Commissioner, Sales Tax | 47.69 |
2000-01 | ||||
2003-04 | ||||
2006-07 | ||||
Maharashtra Sales Tax Act | BST, CST & MVAT | 2004-05 | Joint Commissioner, Sales Tax | 390.36 |
2009-10 | ||||
2011-12 | ||||
Maharashtra Sales Tax Act | TDS on Work Contract | 2012-13 | Sales Tax Appellate Tribunal, | 0.21 |
Mumbai | ||||
TNGST/AST/CST | Sales Tax | 1974-75, 1975- | Honble Madras High Court | 0.83 |
76, 1985-86 to | ||||
1987-88, 1989- | ||||
90 & 1991-92 | ||||
Service Tax |
||||
Finance Act, 1994 | Service Tax | 2005-06 - 2006- | CESTAT (Stay Granted) | 7.29 |
07 | ||||
Finance Act, 1994 | Service Tax | 01.04.2012- | CESTAT | 4.37 |
31.03.2015 | ||||
Finance Act, 1994 | Service Tax | 2007-08 - | CESTAT | 6.02 |
2016-17 | ||||
Finance Act, 1994 | Service Tax | 01.04.2011- | Service Tax Appeallate | 0.13 |
31.03.2012 | Tribunal | |||
Finance Act, 1994 | Service Tax | 01.10.2004- | Supreme Court, Delhi | 16.54 |
31.03.2011 | ||||
Finance Act, 1994 | Service Tax | 01.04.2015- | Joint Commissioner of CGST & | 1.24 |
30.06.2017 | Central Excise Mumbai | |||
Certificate Dues Liability |
||||
BPDRA |
Certificate Dues | 1971-72,1976-77 | Concerned Department | 0.0633 |
Liability | to 1978-79 |
8. The Company does not have any transactions to be recorded in the books of account that has been surrendered or disclosed as income during the year in the tax assessments under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
9. In our opinion and according to the information and explanations given to us, the company has defaulted in repayments of loans/borrowings to Bank (Refer Note No.20 & Basis of qualified opinion section of our audit report). However, the company has outstanding loans/ borrowing from financial institutions but not from Government or dues to debenture holders.
Lender-wise details of sum defaulted by company & period of default is as follows-
Name of Banks |
Amount of Instalments and interest overdue | Period of Default as on 31.03.2023 (in days) |
Syndicate Bank | 280.71 | 2191 Days |
Indian Overseas Bank | 188.02 | 2191 Days |
Union Bank of India | 140.72 | 2222 Days |
Indian Bank | 94.81 | 2222 Days |
Exim Bank | 74.43 | 2738 Days |
Bank of Baroda | 26.27 | 2110 Days |
UBI (Kumily) | 1.28 | 2222 Days |
TOTAL |
806.24** |
TOTAL 806.24** * Interest overdue is booked upto 31.12.2018 ** Amount crystallized with lender banks vide lead Bank letter dated Jun 27, 2019.
10. Based upon the audit procedures performed and the information and explanations given by the management, a) the company has not raised moneys by way of initial public ofier or further public ofier including debt instruments and term Loans. Accordingly, the provisions of clause 3 (ix) of the Order are not applicable to the Company and hence not commented upon. b) According to the information and explanations given to us, and based on our examination of the records of the Company, the Company has not made any preferential allotment or private placement of shares or convertible debentures (fully, partially or optionally convertible) during the year under review in terms of provisions of section 42 and Section 62 of the Companies Act,2013. 11. i. According to the information and explanations given to us and as represented by the management and based on our examination of the books and records of the Company and in accordance with generally accepted auditing practices in India, frauds by the ex-employees of the Company have been noticed which are in litigation since last few years.
We are informed that there are 10 cases filed since last few years at various forums by CBI and other bodies involving fraud perpetuated by Stafi of STC on others. No amount has been quantified by the Management as these cases are said to be subjudice. ii. To the best of our knowledge, no report under sub-section (12) of section 143 of the Companies Act has been filed in Form ADT-4 as prescribed under rule 13 of Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014 with the Central Government, during the year and upto the date of this report iii. No whistle blower complaints have been noticed to be received by the Company during the year.
12. As per notification no. GSR 463(E) dated 5 June 2015 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Afiairs, Government of India, Section 197 is not applicable to the Government Companies. Accordingly, paragraph 3 (xi) of the Order is not applicable to the Company. 13. The Company is not a Nidhi Company and therefore paragraph 3(xii) of the Order related to such Companies is not applicable to the Company.
14. In our opinion, all transactions with the related parties are in compliance with section 177 and 188 of Companies Act, 2013 and the details have been disclosed in the Financial Statements as required by the applicable accounting standard. (Refer Note No.47) 15. As per records of the company and according to information and explanations given to us by the management, the company has not entered into any non-cash transactions with directors or persons connected with them & hence the above clause is not applicable.
16. The company is not required to be registered under section 45-IA of Reserve Bank of India Act,1934.
17. The Company has not incurred cash loss during the financial year covered by our audit but there were cash loss during the immediately preceding financial year. 18. Statutory Auditors of the Company are appointed by C&AG of India every year.
19. According to our view, Since the company has ceased its business operations and prepared the financial statements on a non-going concern basis, material uncertainty exists as on the date of audit report. There are a number of legal cases regarding trade receivables and the borrowings from bank amounting to Rs. 80,623 lacs which are NPAs since long indicating that the 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.
20. Since the Company has huge accumulated losses and is not a going concern, it is not required to spend any amount on CSR and the question of any amount being transferred to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) does not arise. Therefore, reporting under the said clause (xx) of the order is not applicable to the Company.
For P V A R & ASSOCIATES |
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS |
FRN No. 005223C |
Sd/- |
(CA RUCHI AGARWAL) |
Partner |
Membership No. 504134 |
UDIN:24504134BKEGUE9821 |
Place: New Delhi |
Date: 28.05.2024 |
"Annexure B" to INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT
Referred to Clause (vii) of Paragraph 2 under the heading of "Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements" of Independent Auditors Report of even date to the members of The State Trading Corporation of India Limited on the Standalone Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024.
Report on the Internal Financial Controls under Clause (i) of Sub-section 3 of Section 143 of the Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act")
We have audited the internal financial controls over financial reporting of The State Trading Corporation of India Limited ("the Company") as of March 31, 2024 in conjunction with our audit of the standalone financial statements of the Company for the year ended on that date.
Managements Responsibility for Internal Financial Controls
The Companys management is responsible for establishing and maintaining internal financial controls based on the internal control over financial reporting 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 (ICAI). These responsibilities include the design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls that were operating efiectively for ensuring the orderly and eficient conduct of its business, including adherence to companys 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.
Auditors Responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Companys internal financial controls over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the Guidance Note on Audit of Internal Financial Controls Over Financial Reporting (the "Guidance Note") and the Standards on Auditing, issued by ICAI and deemed to be prescribed under section 143(10) of the Companies Act, 2013, to the extent applicable to an audit of internal financial controls, both applicable to an audit of Internal Financial Controls and, both issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. 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 over financial reporting was established and maintained and if such controls operated efiectively in all material respects. Our audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the adequacy of the internal financial controls system over financial reporting and their operating efiectiveness. Our audit of internal financial controls over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal financial controls over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating efiectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. The procedures selected depend on the auditors judgment, including the assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion on the Companys internal financial controls system over financial reporting
Meaning of Internal Financial Controls over Financial Reporting
A companys internal financial control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A companys internal financial control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly refiect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of un-authorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material efiect on the financial statements.
Inherent Limitations of Internal Financial Controls over Financial Reporting (IFCFR)
Because of the inherent limitations of internal financial controls over financial reporting, 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 over financial reporting to future |
periods are subject to the risk that the internal financial control over financial reporting may become inadequate because |
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. |
Basis for Qualified Opinion |
a) Company is maintaining "Performance Management System", Payroll Software and "Leave Management System" |
which are not interfaced with each other as well as the accounting software. As a result of above, Manual Accounting |
entries are being made on periodical basis in the Tally Prime, Accounting software used by company. |
b) Lack of efiective scrutiny of accounting ledgers as far as o/s liabilities/Claims recoverable/Security Deposits is seen |
as they are not updated. |
c) Manner of maintenance of Fixed Assets Schedule & register (Assets Held for Sale) need to be strengthened. |
d) Lack of proper contract management is noticed. Irrespective of completion of contracts the EMD/Security deposits |
are still being withheld in the books by the company. |
e) Lack of control over the renewal of Rent/lease Agreements on timely basis. There are numerous of agreements |
which have not been renewed over a long period. |
f) Inefiective implementation of accounting policy in balance confirmation of trade receivable & vendor balance, is |
noticed. The balances outstanding in the trade receivable account cannot be reconciled in customers books as |
balance confirmations are not obtained and available for these customers. |
g) As there are no proper Full Time working Directors in the Company, and there is also lack of Senior management |
personnel in the Company, all decisions and matters requiring immediate attention are kept on hold and there is |
inefiective management control in the Company. |
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal financial control over financial reporting, |
such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Companys annual or interim financial |
statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.. |
Qualified Opinion |
In our opinion, the Company has, except for efiects of the material weaknesses described above on achievement |
objectives of the control criteria, in all material respects, an adequate internal financial controls system over financial |
reporting and such internal financials controls over financial reporting were operating efiectively as at 31st March, 2024, |
based on the internal control over financial reporting 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. |
We have, to the extent possible, considered the material weaknesses identified and reported above in determining the |
nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the March 31, 2024 standalone financial statements of |
the Company, and these material weaknesses are not likely to afiect our opinion on the standalone financial statements |
of the Company. |
For P V A R & ASSOCIATES |
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS |
FRN No. 005223C |
Sd/- |
(CA RUCHI AGARWAL) |
Partner |
Membership No. 504134 |
UDIN: 24504134BKEGUE9821 |
Place: New Delhi |
Date: 28.05.2024 |
Annexure- C to the INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT
Referred to Paragraph 3 under the heading of "Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements" of Independent Auditors Report of even date to the members of The State Trading Corporation of India Limited on the Standalone Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2024.
1. Whether the company has system in place to process | Company is maintaining "Performance Management |
all the accounting transactions through IT System? If | System", Payroll Software and "Leave Management |
yes, the processing of accounting transactions outside | System" which are not interfaced with each other |
IT system on the integrity of the accounts along with | as well as the accounting software. As a result of |
the financial implications, if any, may be stated. | above, Manual Accounting entries are being made on |
periodical basis in the Tally ERP Accounting software. | |
2. Whether there is any restructuring of an existing | There is no restructuring of an existing loan or cases of |
loan or cases of waiver/write ofi of debts/ loans/ | waiver/write ofi of debts/ loans/ interest etc., made by |
interest etc., made by the lender to the company | the lender to the company due to companys inability |
due to companys inability to repay the loan? If yes, | to repay the loan. |
the financial impact may be stated. Whether such | |
The company is in the process of finalizing the OTS | |
cases are properly accounted for? (In case, lender is | |
proposal with the lender banks and the amount | |
a Government company, then this direction is also | |
crystalized with the Joint Lender Forum (JLF) is RS. | |
applicable for statutory auditor of lender company). | |
1,90,624 lacs as on 31.12.2018. A part payment of Rs | |
110000 lacs has already been made to Canara bank | |
(e-Syndicate Bank), The leader of JLF on 29.03.2019(Rs. | |
90,000 lacs) and on 27.05.2019 (Rs. 20,000 lacs). | |
Refer Note No.20 to the Standalone financial | |
statement. | |
3. Whether the fund received/receivable for specific | As per information & explanation given to us, the |
schemes from Central/State agencies were properly | Company has not received any fund under any |
accounted for/ utilized as per its terms and condition? | scheme of the Central/State Government during the |
List the cases of deviation. | year under report. |
For P V A R & ASSOCIATES |
CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS |
FRN No. 005223C |
Sd/- |
(CA RUCHI AGARWAL) |
Partner |
Membership No. 504134 |
UDIN: 24504134BKEGUE9821 |
Place: New Delhi |
Date: 28.05.2024 |
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