Material uncertainty about company’s ability to continue as a going concern: McLeod Russel auditors

By Sanjeev Sharma

New Delhi, Nov 11 (SocialNews.XYZ) The auditors of McLeod Russel, Lodha & Co., have given qualifications and adverse conclusions on the financial statements for the half year ended September 2020.

"Attention is drawn to the following Notes of the Statement which are subject matter of adverse conclusion as given in Para 5," the auditors said in their review of the financial results.

The auditors have pointed out that the statements have not been prepared fairly in all material respect in accordance with the Indian Accounting Standards.

"Based on our review conducted as above, we report that because of the significance of the matters stated in Para 4 above, especially those relating to non-provision of amount given as Inter-Corporate Deposits which as stated in Para 4(a) have been considered doubtful of recovery, together with the consequential impact of these matters on the unaudited financial results for the period which are expected to be material, we have come to the conclusion that the Statement read with notes thereon have not been prepared fairly in all material respect in accordance with aforesaid Indian Accounting Standards and other recognised accounting practices and policies generally accepted in India and has not disclosed fairly the information required to be disclosed in terms of the Listing Regulations, 2015, including the manner in which it is to be disclosed," the auditors said.

The auditors have cited inter-corporate deposits of Rs 2,855 crore, which are doubtful of recovery and prejudicial to the interest of the company.

"Note No. 5 dealing with Inter Corporate Deposits (ICD) aggregating to Rs. 2,85,515 lakhs as on September 30,2020 (including Interest of Rs. 1,969 lakhs accrued till March 31, 2019) given to certain companies which are doubtful of recovery and considering recoverability etc. are prejudicial to the interest of the company. In absence of provision there against, the profit for the period is overstated to that extent. Impact in this respect have not been ascertained by the management and recognised in the statement," the auditors said.

The company had given advance to a corporate body aggregating to Rs 1,400 lakh which were outstanding as on September 30, 2020. "In the absence of appropriate audit evidence and status thereof, we are unable to comment on the validity and recoverability of such advances," the auditors said in the notes to accounts.

"Note No. 8(b) regarding non-recognition of interest of Rs 3,376 1akh on inter-corporate deposits taken by the company and thereby the profit for the period is overstated to that extent," said the auditors.

"Further, as stated in Note No. 8(a), penal/compound interest and other adjustments in respect of borrowings from banks/financial institution have not been recognised and amount payable to banks and financial institutions as recognised in this respect are subject to confirmation from respective parties and consequential reconciliation. Pending final determination of amount in this respect, adjustments and impacts arising therefrom have not been ascertained and as such cannot be commented upon by us," they added.

Note No. 9 relates to non-reconciliation of certain debit and credit balances with individual details and confirmation etc.

Adjustments/impact in this respect are currently not ascertainable and as such cannot be commented upon by us, the auditors said.

As stated in Note No. 7, the predecessor auditor in respect of loans included under paragraph (a) above have reported that it includes amounts given to group companies whereby applicability of Section 185 could not be ascertained and commented upon by them.

"Further, certain ICDs as reported were in nature of book entries and/or are prejudicial to the interest of the company. These amounts are outstanding as on this date and status thereof have remained unchanged and uncertainty and related concerns including being prejudicial to the interest of the company are valid for current period also. The matter as reported is under examination and pending before regulatory authorities. Pending final outcome of the matter under examination we are unable to ascertain the impact of non-compliances and comment on the consequential impact thereof," the auditors said.

"Attention is drawn to Note No. 6 of the statement dealing with going concern assumption for preparation of the unaudited financial results of the Company. The Company's current liabilities exceeded its current assets.

"The matters forming part of and dealt with under Para 5 above may have significant impact on the net worth of the company. Funds obtained by borrowing and utilized for providing funds to other companies have become unserviceable primarily due to non-repayment of outstanding amounts by those companies.

"This has resulted in insufficiency of company's resources for meeting its obligations. These conditions indicate the existence of a material uncertainty about the company's ability to continue as a going concern," the auditors said.

"However, the unaudited financial results of the Company due to the reasons stated in the said Note has been prepared by management on going concern basis, based on the management's assessment of the expected successful outcome of the steps and measures including those concerning restructuring/reduction of borrowings and interest thereon in terms of resolution plan under considerations of lenders and restructuring of outstanding loans receivables in sync with said plan as dealt with in Note no. 6 and other proposals under evaluation as on this date," they added.

"In the event of the management's expectation and estimation etc., not turning out to be true, possible impact on carrying value of tangible and intangible assets even though expected to be material, as such presently cannot be commented upon by us. Our conclusion is not modified in respect of this matter," they added.

In respect of Inter-Corporate Deposits (ICDs) given to the promoter group and certain other companies, the amount outstanding aggregates to Rs 2,83,546 lakh as on September 30, 2020 (net of provision of Rs 1,098 lakh).

Interest accrued up to March 31, 2019 and remaining unpaid as on September 30, 2020 aggregates to Rs 1,969 lakh (net of provision of Rs 6,947 lakh). Interest on such ICDs considering the waiver sought by borrower companies and uncertainties involved with respect to their repayment capabilities and proposed terms and conditions pending finalisation of resolution plan and determination of amount thereof, has not been accrued in the previous year and even during the period. Over and above, the company has issued corporate guarantee and letters of comfort to these companies.

The management said in its financial statements that steps are being taken to restructure the borrowings and related financial obligations of the company as well as of various group companies and necessary resolution plan in this respect is under consideration of lenders.

"The management believes that the outstanding dues, net of provision for amount considered doubtful, as mentioned above, shall be recovered/adjusted. Necessary approval of shareholders for such loans, guarantees etc. as required in terms of Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 have been obtained on September 25, 2020. Necessary further compliances in this respect concerning provisions of Companies Act, 2013 will also be ensured in due course oftime and no further provision is required at this stage and any adjustments required consequent to finalisation of resolution plan will be given effect to on determination of the amount thereof," it said.

Operational earnings and performance of the company even though has improved over the period, the Company's financial position has continued to be under stress. The Inter-Corporate Deposits (ICOs) given to various group companies to provide them funds for strategic reasons for meeting their various obligations along with interest to the extent applicable are outstanding as on this date.

"These have resulted in mismatch of company's resources vis-a-vis it's commitments and obligations and financial constraints, causing hardship in servicing the short term and long-term debts and meeting other liabilities," the company said.

It said in the financial statements that one of the bankers had issued a notice of default and recalled the amount granted under various facilities and had commenced the proceeding before Debt recovery Tribunal (DRT) for realisation of their debt to the company.

The said banker and one other lender had filed petitions under Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) with Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal, Kolkata (NCLT). These petitions are however yet to be admitted by NCLT. Further, certain lenders including those concerning another group company have obtained injunction against disposal of the Company's assets, pending settlement of their dues.

The Resolution process of stressed assets vide circular dated June 7, 2019 issued by the Reserve Bank of India has been initiated by the lenders.

The lenders have appointed an independent professional for carrying out Techno Economic Viability (TEV) study and valuers for carrying out the valuation of the company.

Further, SBI Capital Markets Limited, one of the leading investment banker and adviser, has been appointed by the lender to work out and recommend resolution plan and possible course of action on the matter.

"The forensic audit for utilisation of funds borrowed in the past, conducted on behest of lenders is under advanced stage of completion. The professionals and experts so appointed have submitted their reports and/or recommendations including the Draft Resolution Plan which is pending before lenders for their consideration and decision," the company said.

The management is confident that with the lenders support in restructuring their debt and related and other cost reductions, etc. and other ameliorative measures taken, the company will be able to restructure/reduce its outstanding amount of loan receivable in line with the same and generate sufficient cashflow to meet it's obligations and strengthen it's financial position over a period of time.

Considering that these measures are under implementation and/or under active consideration and lenders are proceeding constructively for arriving at the resolution plan, these unaudited financial results have been prepared on going concern basis, the company said.

The company said the predecessor auditors' had issued an adverse opinion on the audited financial results for the year ended March 31, 2019. Inter-Corporate Deposits to companies as dealt herein above in Note No. 5 include amounts reported upon by predecessor auditor including Rs 77,575.00 lakh which were considered by the predecessor auditor in the nature of book entries.

This includes amounts given to group companies whereby applicability of Section 185 and related non-compliances, if any could not be ascertained and commented upon by them. Loan of 2,84,644 lakh given to various parties as given in Note No. 5 are outstanding as on September 30, 2020.

"The issues raised are also being examined by relevant authorities including Registrar of Companies, outcome of which are awaited as on this date. Information required by the authorities have been provided and directions, if any received on conclusion of the proceedings will be dealt with appropriately to ensure necessary compliances. These matters are procedural in nature and/or are subject to the decision by the authorities and do not have any impact as such on the profit or loss for the period," it added.

Pending completion of debt restructuring process and consequential adjustment in this respect, interest on borrowings have been provided on simple interest basis based on the rates specified in term sheet or otherwise stipulated/advised from time to time and penal/compound interest if any has not been considered.

Further, pending such restructuring, amount repaid to lenders and/or recovered by them by executing securities etc., have been adjusted against principal amount outstanding.

The amount payable to the lenders in respect of outstanding amount including interest thereagainst is subject to confirmation and determination and consequential reconciliation thereof in terms of final decision to be arrived at in this respect. Adjustments, if any required in this respect will be recognised on determination thereof and will then be given effect to in the financial results.

Interest on ICDs has not been recognised to the extent of Rs 3,376 lakh (including Rs 1,194 lakh for the period) pending finalisation of debt resolution process, the company said.

Certain debit and credit balances other than borrowings including inter-unit and other clearing balances, trade and other receivables/payables, advances from customers, loans and advances, other current assets and certain other liabilities including those relating to tea estates are subject to reconciliation with individual details and balances and confirmation thereof. Adjustments/ Impact in this respect are currently not ascertainable, it added.

The observations concerning auditors' opinion on the financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2020 and on the unaudited financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 have been dealt with under Para 4 to 9 above.

During the period, the company has obtained 'shareholders' approval specifying the limit with respect to loans, guarantees and investments made or given by the company under Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 including ratification of such loans etc. made in earlier years.

Other matters relate to and are expected to be resolved on the outcome of the resolution plan under consideration for approval as per Note No. 6 above and will then suitably be addressed in the subsequent periods, the company said.

(Sanjeev Sharma can be reached at Sanjeev.s@ians.in)

Source: IANS