Corporate Governance
GOVERNANCE PHILOSOPHY
We have a long history of respecting the laws and ethical standards of the places where we do business. We strive to be a good business partner. Though our business environment will change, our commitment to ethical and moral standards of business conduct must remain constant.
Our reputation is a priceless asset. Safeguarding our reputation requires each of us to make sound judgments every day. Consistently operating by the highest standards of business conduct in all our relationships generates trust in us as individuals and as a company.
To accomplish those goals requires effective Board governance. We believe there are three elements that when combined create effective Board-structure, policies and procedures, and cultural factors.
We trust that cultural factors are the keystone to good governance. First, top leaders of an organization must be open and public about the value they place on truth and ethical behaviour. Their actions and spoken words need to send a clear message as to the importance of transparency and full disclosure. They must demonstrate a zero tolerance for bending the rules.
Next, top leaders and Board members need to have a strong ethical compass. They need to be able to describe in real terms the difference between right and wrong. Board members must be actively involved before, during, and after the formal meetings. There should also be a tolerance to dissent at the meetings. Board members must have the capacity to challenge one another’s different viewpoints. It should also be in an environment that includes a balanced dialogue. There should be no dominant voices, and no silent voices.
The board must also have an appropriate working relationship with management. There must be a high level of trust between the Board and the CEO. It should be through a process of collaboration where the Board and management work together to set and achieve common goals.
Lastly, all Board members need to feel accountable for the company’s performance. Directors need to take their responsibilities seriously, and let their fellow directors know they are expected to do the same.
GUIDELINES ON CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
In pursuance of the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India, the Company has framed the following internal Guidelines on Corporate Governance.
The Board shall be responsible for exercising its business judgments to act in what it reasonably believes to be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The Board of Directors along with its constituted Committees shall provide direction and guidance to the Company’s Leadership Team and shall further supervise and review the performance of the Company. As the Directors occupy fiduciary position, they shall attend and actively participate in Board and its Committee meetings thereof, on which they serve, and shall properly discharge their responsibilities.
The Board shall be responsible for overall compliance with the corporate governance of the Company and oversee the business affairs, in doing so the Board must act honestly, in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. Further the Board will have a vital role to play in the matters relating to Policy Formulation, implementation and strategic issues which are crucial for the long term development of the organization.
- Fit and Proper criteria for Directors
The Company shall have a policy put in place for ascertaining the fit and proper criteria at the time of appointment of Directors and on a continuing basis. The Nomination and Remuneration Committee shall review the appointment/re-appointment of Directors considering their qualifications, expertise, track record, integrity and other ‘fit and proper’ criteria.
- Size of the Board
The Board’s strength shall be minimum 3 and the maximum number of directors be as per the limit specified in the Companies Act, 2013.
- Board Composition
The Company’s Board shall have an optimum combination of Executive, Non-Executive and Independent Directors in line with the requirements of the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Articles of Association of the Company.
- Independent Directors
Independent Directors shall comply with the provisions specified in Schedule IV to the Companies Act, 2013 and the relevant RBI regulations. They shall be eligible for sitting fees for attending the meetings of the Board, Committees’, etc. They shall also be eligible for commission on profits if approved by the Board. The sitting fees and commissions payable, if any, shall be within the prescribed limits of the Companies Act, 2013 and as approved by the Board and Shareholders. Apart from sitting fees and commission, the Independent Directors shall also be eligible for reimbursement of expenses incurred for attending the Board and other meetings.Other Non-Executive Directors of the Company shall be eligible for compensation as may be approved by the Board.
- Board Meetings and Quorum
The Board Meetings of the Company shall be held as per the requirements prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013 and as decided by the Board of Directors. The meetings of the Board shall generally be held at the Company’s corporate office. The dates of the meetings shall be fixed well in advance. The quorum shall be as per the requirements of the Companies Act, 2013.
- Information to be placed before Board and its Committees
All the matters which are of strategic importance, statutorily mandatory and of material significance shall be placed before the Board. To enable the Board members to discharge their responsibilities effectively and take informed decisions, detailed agenda papers, with explanations on each item, shall be sent to each Director well in advance of the Board and its Committee meetings.
All the items on the agenda shall be discussed in detail, during the Board and its Committee meetings. Each Board member is free to suggest inclusion of items in the agenda and raise any matters that are not on the agenda of the Board Meeting with the permission of the Chair. If the subject matter of agenda is sensitive, relevant information can be made available only at the time of the Board Meeting. The Board members shall have complete access to any information, within the Company and to any employee of the Company.
- Attendance at Board Meetings
The Directors shall strive to attend all meetings of the Board and its Committees. In case a Director is unable to attend specific Board Meeting, he or she shall obtain leave of absence from the Board.
- Minutes
The minutes of all meetings of the Board shall be circulated to the Board and shall be noted in the consequent Board Meeting.
In order to focus on the critical functions of the Company, the Board may constitute such Committees as and when required to ensure smooth functioning of the Company. The Board shall have the following sub committees:
- Audit Committee
- Nomination & Remuneration Committee and
- Corporate Social Responsibility Committee
- Asset Liability Management Committee
The terms of reference of the above mentioned Committees shall be determined by the Board from time to time.
Details of the various Board committees are:
1) AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee constitution and functioning shall be in compliance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. The powers and terms of reference of the Audit Committee shall be comprehensive and include the requirements as set out by Section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013. The Committee will be vested with necessary powers, as defined in its Charter to achieve its objectives.
- Composition
The Audit Committee of the Company shall have minimum of three Directors with Independent Directors forming majority as prescribed by the Companies Act, 2013. They shall meet all applicable legal requirements with respect to independence, financial literacy, accounting or related financial expertise, etc. The members of the Audit Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.
The Chairman of the Committee shall be a Non-Executive director who might attend the Annual General Meeting if deemed fit to answer shareholder queries.
The Audit Committee Meeting shall be attended by;
- Members of the Audit Committee
- Internal Auditors
- Statutory Auditors as and when invited
- Such other invitees at the discretion of the Chairman of the Committee
- Company Secretary, who shall act as the secretary to the Committee
- Quorum and Meetings
Quorum shall comprise of two members or one third of the Members of the Audit Committee whichever is higher. At least one meeting of the Committee shall be held per quarter including one prior to the finalization of the Annual Accounts.
- Role of the Committee
The Audit Committee shall undertake such duties as per the charter approved by the Board and any such duties as may be delegated to it from time to time.
- Minutes
The Company Secretary will maintain minutes of the meetings of the Audit Committee.
2) NOMINATION & REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
The Board shall constitute a Nomination & Remuneration Committee to meet the requirements of Section 178 of the Companies Act, 2013. The Committee shall apart from other things review the appointments and removals of directors and senior management, the compensation related matters of the directors and senior management, evaluation of Directors performance, etc. The Committee will be vested with necessary powers, as per its Charter approved by the Board. The Head of Human Capital shall act as the Secretary to the committee.
- Composition
The Nomination & Remuneration Committee of the Board shall have minimum three Non-Executive Directors out of which not less than one half shall be independent directors. The chairman of the Company may be appointed as member of Nomination & Remuneration Committee but shall not act as the Chairman of the committee.
The chairman of the committee or any other member of the committee authorized by him, if required shall attend the general meetings of the company.
- Quorum and Meetings
Quorum shall comprise of two members or one third of the members of the committee, whichever is higher. The Committee shall meet on need basis.
- Role of Committee
The Nomination & Remuneration Committee shall undertake the duties as per the charter approved by the Board and any other duties as may be delegated to it from time to time.
- Minutes
The Head of Human Capital will maintain the minutes of the meeting of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee.
3) COPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY COMMITTEE
The Board shall constitute a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Committee to meet the requirements of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013. The Committee will be vested with necessary powers, as laid down in its charter to achieve its objectives.
- Composition
The CSR Committee shall have minimum three directors, out of which at least one director shall be an independent director. The members of the CSR Committee shall be appointed by the Board of Directors. The Company Secretary shall act as the secretary to the Committee.
- Quorum and Meetings
Quorum shall comprise of two or 1/3rd of the members of the Committee, whichever is higher. The committee shall meet at least four times a year.
- Role of the Committee
The CSR Committee shall undertake such duties as per the charter approved by the Board and other duties as may be delegated to it from time to time.
- Minutes
The Company Secretary shall maintain the minutes of the meetings of the CSR Committee.
4) ASSET LIABILITY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Board shall also constitute an Asset Liability Management Committee (ALCO) as required by the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The constitution and functioning of the ALCO shall be in line with the requirements of the RBI guidelines. The Committee inter alia, shall monitor the asset liability gap and strategize action to mitigate the risk associated.
- Composition and Quorum
The Committee should have such members as approved by the Board. The quorum shall comprise of at least three members.
- Meetings and Minutes
The Committee shall meet once in every month or as and when required. The minutes of the meetings shall be maintained by the Company Secretary.
- Role of the Committee
The Committee shall undertake such duties as per the Terms of Reference approved by the Board and such other duties as may be delegated to it from time to time.
Apart from the above committees, the Board shall constitute such other committees as may be deemed fit by it, if required.
The Company shall adopt code of conduct approved by the Board of Directors which is binding on employees and directors of the Company and the same shall be complied with. Code of conduct shall be signed off on annual basis.
The Company shall establish a mechanism for the employees and its directors for reporting to the management, concerns about unethical behaviour, actual or suspected fraud or even to which is against the interest of the Company or society or as a violation of the Company’s Code of Conduct or ethics policy.
The Whistle Blower Policy shall provide for adequate safeguards against victimization of persons who use this mechanism and shall also provide direct access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee in exceptional cases. An update on whistle blower cases and investigation conducted thereon shall be presented before the Audit Committee every quarter.
The following disclosures shall be made to the Board of Directors at regular intervals as may be prescribed by the Board in this regard:
- progress made in putting in place a progressive risk management system, and risk management policy and strategy followed;
- conformity with corporate governance standards viz. in composition of various committees, their role and functions, periodicity of the meetings and compliance with coverage and review functions, etc.
The Company shall rotate the firms of statutory auditors and the audit partner(s) as per the provisions of the RBI guidelines and the Companies Act, 2013.