“SEBI EXTENDED TIMELINE FOR SUBMISSION OF ANNUAL SECRETARIAL COMPLIANCE REPORT (ASCR) TILL 31ST JULY 2020”
Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) vide Notification No. SEBI/HO/CFD/CMD1/CIR/P/2020/109 dated 25thJune, 2020 has come out with Further extension of time for submission of Annual Secretarial Compliance Report bylisted entities due to the continuing impact of the CoVID-19 pandemicin exercise of the powers conferred under Section 11(1) of theSecurities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992 read with Regulation 101 of the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
- The Circular was issued to:
- All listed entities
- All Recognized Stock Exchanges
- Previous Extension:
- Circular No. SEBI/HO/CFD/CMD1/CIR/P/2020/38 dated March 19, 2020
(Regulation 33 of SEBI LODR)
Link: https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/mar-2020/relaxation-from-compliance-with-certain-provisions-of-the-sebi-listing-obligations-and-disclosure-requirements-regulations-2015-due-to-the-covid-19-virus-pandemic_46360.html
Sl no. | Regulation and associated filing | Filing | Relaxation w.r.t. the quarter / financial year ending March 31, 2020 | |||
Frequency | Due within | Due Date | Extended date | Period of relaxation | ||
1 | Regulation 24A read
with circular No CIR/CFD/CMD1/27/2019 dated February 8,2019 relating to Secretarial Compliance Report
|
Yearly | 60 days from the end of Financial Year | 30.05.2020 | 30.06.2020
|
1 month |
- Reason behind further extension from 30th June 2020 to 31st July 2020.
Various representation has been received by SEBI from listed entities, Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI),and industry bodies/associations seeking further extensionof time for submission of the Annual Secretarial Compliance Report in view of the :
- difficulties and challenges faced by listed entities and
- PracticingCompany Secretaries
due to the continuing impact of the CoVID-19 pandemic.
Further Relaxation from SEBI
SEBI has decided to:
- SEBI has further extended the timeline for submission of theASC Report by one more month, t, to July 31, 2020, for the Financial Year ended 31st March 2020.
- Applicability of this Circular: shall come into force with immediate effect.
Link of the Circular:
https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/jun-2020/further-extension-of-time-for-submission-of-annual-secretarial-compliance-report-by-listed-entities-due-to-the-continuing-impact-of-the-covid-19-pandemic_46933.html
Brief note on ASCR:
- Applicable Laws: Regulation 24A of SEBI (LODR), Regulations, 2015 & SEBI Circular dated Feb. 8, 2019
- As per Regulation 24A: Secretarial Audit
Every listed entity and its material unlisted subsidiaries incorporated in India shall undertake secretarial audit and shall annex with its annual report, a secretarial audit report, given by a company secretary in practice, in such form as may be prescribed with effect from the year ended March 31, 2019.”
- Reporting Requirement under Annual Secretarial Compliance Report:
It is a compliance check mechanism of all applicable SEBI Regulations and circulars/ guidelines issued thereunder, consequent to which, the PCS (Practicing Company Secretary) shall submit a report to the listed entity in the manner specified in SEBI circular dated 08.02.2019.
- Applicability:
applicable to listed entities, with effect from the financial year ended March 31, 2019 onwards.
Link of SEBI Circular on ASCR:
https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/feb-2019/format-for-annual-secretarial-audit-report-and-annual-secretarial-compliance-report-for-listed-entities-and-their-material-subsidiaries_42015.html
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