Practicing Company Secretary
138 Points
Joined August 2013
The much-awaited Companies Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The new Bill will replace the nearly six-decade old regulations that govern corporates in the country.
The Companies Bill 2012 envisages a slew of changes to rules governing the functioning as well as social responsibilities of corporates. The new legislation would replace the Companies Act, 1956.
Spending towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities, more responsibility on independent directors and setting up of National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), are among the major features of the new legislation.
With the new legislation, India would possibly become the first country to have Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) spending through a statutory provision.
As per the proposal, companies have to shell out two per cent of their three-year average profit towards CSR activities and in case they are unable to spend the money, they have to provide explanations.