An appeal

Arun Mehta (Practicing Company Secretary)   (28 Points)

30 January 2013  

Dear All,


 
We all are aware that MCA system is not working properly since the handing over from TCS to Infosys on 17th January 2013. The slow down working of the portal and problem in logging on the portal harassed so many stakeholders and the professionals like us. Till today it is not functioning smoothly. So many services are blocked and the filed forms are not in queue for processing even after the payment is debited from our account. Also after lodging a complaint for the same on the portal no action is still taken.
 
As the system is not working since 17th January so many stakeholders who were to file their returns and having last date during this period are suffering from heavy penalties. In my opinion it is the duty of MCA and the team managing the portal to provide smooth functioning and hassle free filings. They are duty bound for the same as all corporate filings takes place from the portal only.
 
Such almost non functioning of portal is blocking up all the compliance across the country. As an example we on an average files around 10 documents per day but during this period could file only four documents and that too after repeated attempts and out of these four two are pending for processing and are not in queue even after the payment has been confirmed. Such serious problem of non-functioning of the portal has left around 100 forms with us, including many annual filings, which were delayed and if filed today attracts heavy additional fees for no fault on part of us. Like us so large number of professionals across the country are facing the same problem. 
 
Non availability of the portal for filings in this fortnight is a technical problem and the stakeholders and professionals are not at fault for the same.Therefore MCA should waive the penalties and allow the stakeholders to file their forms having their last date of filing in this fortnight without additional fees or increased additional fees.
 
I request ICSI, ICAI and ICWAI to jointly take up the matter very strongly with the regulator (MCA) and ask them to waive the additional fees or increase in additional fees as stakeholders and professionals are not at all responsible for delay in filings. 
 
Anticipating support from all professional colleagues.
 
Thanks
 
Arun Mehta
FCA, FCS, MIIA (USA)
Praciticing Company Secretary
Cell: 98281-41757