PROCEDURE FOR FAST TRACK MERGER UNDER SECTION 233 OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013 (“ACT”) READ THE COMPANIES (COMPROMISES, ARRANGEMENTS AND AMALGAMATIONS) RULES, 2016 (“RULES”)

Step No.

Procedure

Timeline

Forms

By

1.

Convene a Board Meeting

Convene a Board Meeting and pass the following resolutions:

a)    Approval of the scheme;

b)    Fixing date, time and place for convening of shareholders meeting;

c)     Fixing date, time and place for convening of creditors meeting.

Both (Transferor and Transferee Companies)

2.

Notice of the proposed scheme

companies are situated or persons affected by the scheme along with a copy of the Scheme.

After holding the Board meeting

CAA.9

Both (Transferor and Transferee Companies)

3.

Filing a declaration of solvency with the ROC

CAA.10

Both (Transferor and Transferee Companies)

4.

Convening a meeting of members

The notice of the meeting sent to the members shall be accompanied by –

a)    a statement, disclosing the details of the compromise or arrangement, as far as applicable, as referred to in sub-section 230 (3) of the Act read with sub-rule (3) of rule 6 of the Rules.

b)     the declaration of solvency made in Form No. CAA.10;

c)      a copy of the scheme.

The objections and suggestions received by the ROC, Official Liquidator and persons affected by the scheme are considered by the companies in their respective general meetings and the scheme is approved by the respective members or class of members at a general meeting holding at 90% of the total number of shares.

Clear 21 days before the date of the meeting

Both (Transferor and Transferee Companies)

5.

Convening a meeting of creditors

The notice of the meeting sent to the creditors shall be accompanied by –

a)    a statement, disclosing the details of the compromise or arrangement, as far as applicable, as referred to in sub-section 230 (3) of the Act read with sub-rule (3) of rule 6 of the Rules.

b)    the declaration of solvency made in Form No. CAA.10;

c)      a copy of the scheme.

The scheme is to be approved by majority representing nine-tenths in value of the creditors or class of creditors of respective companies indicated in a meeting.

Clear 21 days before the date of the meeting

Both (Transferor and Transferee Companies)

6.

Filing of the Scheme

b)    A copy of the scheme along with Form CAA. 11 shall also be filed with :

·   the ROC in Form GNL 1;

·   the Official Liquidator through hand delivery or by registered post or speed post.

b)    GNL 1

Transferee Company

7.

Approval of the Scheme by the Regional Director

2.     If the ROC or Official Liquidator has any objections or suggestions, he may communicate the same in writing to Regional Director within a period of thirty days. If no such communication is made, it shall be presumed that he has no objection to the scheme.

3.     If the Regional Director after receiving the objections or suggestions or for any reason is of the opinion that such a scheme is not in public interest or in the interest of the creditors, it may file an application before the Tribunal in Form No. CAA.13 within a period of sixty days of the receipt of the scheme under sub-section (2) stating its objections and requesting that the Tribunal may consider the scheme under section 232.

4.     On receipt of an application from the Regional Director or from any person, if the Tribunal, for reasons to be recorded in writing, is of the opinion that the scheme should be considered as per the procedure laid down in section 232, the Tribunal may direct accordingly or it may confirm the scheme by passing such order as it deems fit.

5.     If the Regional Director does not have any objection to the scheme or it does not file any application under this section before the Tribunal, it shall be deemed that it has no objection to the scheme.

6.     Where no objection or suggestion is received to the scheme from the ROC and Official Liquidator or where the objection or suggestion of ROC and Official Liquidator is deemed to be not sustainable and the Regional Director is of the opinion that the scheme is in the public interest or in the interest of creditors, the Regional Director shall issue a confirmation order of such scheme of merger or amalgamation in Form No. CAA. 12.

8.

Filing of confirmation order with the ROC

Within 30 days of the receipt of the order of confirmation of the scheme.

Form INC-28

Both (Transferor and Transferee Companies)