MCA ISSUES RELAXATION FOR CRA-4
FILINGS!
No additional fees will be charged for filing CRA-
4 (Cost Audit Report in XBRL format) for the
financial year ended 31.03.2025, if filed up to
31.12.2025.
In this column , I will discuss important company law case laws and intricacies surrounding the interpretation of Indian Company Law.
MCA ISSUES RELAXATION FOR CRA-4
FILINGS!
No additional fees will be charged for filing CRA-
4 (Cost Audit Report in XBRL format) for the
financial year ended 31.03.2025, if filed up to
31.12.2025.
FILING UPDATE FOR MGT7 / MGT 7A IN
THE MCA PORTAL
SHAREHOLDERS DETAILS IN THE FORM MGT7/MGT-7A WILL BE KEPT AS CONFIDENTIAL
AND IS NOT AVAILABLE NOW FOR PUBLIC VIEW IN THE MCA PORTAL
AFTER UPLOADING OF EXCEL SHEET RELATED TO DETAILS OF LIST OF
SHAREHOLDERS IN MGT-7 / A SHALL NOT BE VISIBLE IN FINAL PDF.
Courtesy: Mr.Dilip Kumar Choudhary
R V SECKAR FCS,LLB 79047 19295
MCA TO FIX TECHNICAL ISSUES IN THE MCA
PORTAL
1.Login problems, multiple sessions, OTP not coming or browser/cookie
issues.
2.DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) registration / association errors.
3.Downloading / viewing blank forms, system throwing “Technical Error -
Contact System Administrator”.
4.“View Public Documents” facility not working on some versions of the
portal.
TECHNICAL AND APPROVAL-RELATED CHALLENGE
The
Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) is actively working to resolve the
technical and approval-related challenges faced by professionals on the MCA V3
portal.
LTIMindtree
The
ministry has directed LTIMindtree, the service provider, to strengthen server
capacity and address user issues on priority — most being resolved within 48
hours.
“MY APPLICATION”
The
portal now includes a new “My Application” feature for better tracking of form
status, DSC uploads, pay fees, and resubmissions.
EXTENSION
OF DEADLINE FOR ANNUAL FILING
Chartered
Accountants,company secretaries have raised complaints citing several technical
issues . MCA on realizing such issues do exist has extended the Annual filing by
companies up to 31 December 2025.
NUMBER
OF NEW COMPANY HAS INCREASED
Despite
of glitches in the MCA site, in September25,a total of 23,313 companies were registered
on the MCA portal, up from 11,110 companies in the corresponding month last
year. Likewise, total number of DINs too, increased by almost 73% in September25
to 53217 as compared to September last year..
IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND USER EXPERIENCE ON THE V3
PLATFORM
While
the glitches have caused delays, this move from the MCA is a welcome step
towards improving efficiency and user experience on the V3 platform.
R V
SECKAR FCS, LLB 79047 19295
OBTAINING
TWO DINS BY A DIRECTOR –
IS IT
AN OFFENCE UNDER CA 2013 ?-
IMPORTANT
CASE LAWS
SECTION
155 OF THE COMPANIES ACT, 2013 STATES:
“No individual, who has already been allotted a
Director Identification Number under section 154, shall apply for, obtain or
possess another Director Identification Number.”
SECTION 159 PROVIDES THE PENALTY FOR DEFAULT OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS
(INCLUDING SECTION 155):
“Such individual or director of the company who has
obtained more than one DIN shall be liable to a penalty which may extend to
fifty thousand rupees and where the default is a continuing one, with a further
penalty which may extend to five hundred rupees for each day after the first
during which such default continues.”
WHETHER SURRENDER OF DUPLICATE IS ALLOWED?
The surrender of DIN application could not be allowed
as per Rule 11(f) of the Companies (Appointment & Qualifications if
Directors) Rules 2014 since the second DIN was obtained in violation of section
155 of the Companies Act 2013.
CASE LAWS ON DIRECTORS HAVING MORE THAN ONE DIN
1.RD
REDUCED THE PENALY INT THIYAGARAJAN
PARTHASARATHY CASE
· He had an earlier DIN (DIN 03191514 dated 23 Aug 2010) and later obtained a second DIN (DIN 09018479 on 4 Jan 2021) while forming another company.
· Adjudication order imposed a penalty of Rs 5,03,500 for violation of section 155.
· In an appeal to the Regional Director, due to absence of deliberate malicious intent, the penalty was reduced (in one commentary) to Rs 50,000.
2.MRS ANUBAMA (CHENNAI CASE)
First DIN obtained 9 Jan 2008; second DIN obtained 23 Apr 2013.
The period of violation was calculated from 1 Apr 2014
to 27 Aug 2024 (3,802 days) and a penalty of Rs 19.51 lakhs (i.e., 50,000 +
3,802×500=19,01,000) was imposed.
3.LAXMAN KRANTI ALLAGADDA KUMAR
First
DIN (00933931) on 18 Nov 2006; a second DIN (10495519) on 6 Feb 2024.
Violation
for 170 days; penalty of Rs 1,35,000 (50,000 + 170×500) was imposed.
4.SHASHI
SINGLA (PUNJAB/CHANDIGARH)
First
DIN 00599311; second DIN 10008811 on 1 July 2022.
Penalty
imposed: Rs 50,000 + Rs 500×729 days = Rs 4,14,500
SIGNIFICANT
TAKEAWAYS
Regulatory
bodies (like the RoC / Regional Director) have initiated aggressive action:
e.g., in one instance, the Central government stated action had been initiated
against 469 persons for multiple DIN
In
determining penalty, factors taken into account include: length of period of
violation, whether the person was aware, the usage of second DIN (linked to
companies), whether the person sought to voluntarily surrender, etc.
SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN PENALTY
For instance, in the Thiyagarajan case the RD
significantly reduced the penalty citing absence of deliberate intention
SURRENDER OF THE DUPLICATE DIN
Surrender
of the unwanted/duplicate DIN is to be done via Form DIR-5. However,
surrendering the second DIN will only be accepted once the violation is
adjudicated.
CHECK
BEFORE APPLYING FOR DIN
For
compliance professionals and persons intending to be directors: it is advisable
to check on the portal whether any prior DIN exists (linked to your
PAN/identity) before applying for one, to avoid inadvertently obtaining a
second one.
R V
SECKAR FCS, LLB 79047 19295
“MORE
REFORMS IS ON THE WAY WHICH WILL WORK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES:
MSME REFORMS BY
DECEMBER,2025”
PMO, Finance, and MSME ministries working on cluster-to-national reform roadmap with focus on jobs, cost control, legal ease, and innovation in small business sector.
WHAT
REFORMS HAVE ALREADY BEEN ANNOUNCED FOR MSME ?
Several major policy changes are already in motion:
REVISED
DEFINITION
The definitions of micro, small and medium enterprises have been
significantly revised, meaning more firms qualify for MSME status and its
benefits (for example, higher investment/turnover thresholds).
EXPANDED
SCOPE OF CREDIT-GUARANTEE SUPPORT
The government has expanded the scope of credit-guarantee support: for
instance, guarantee cover for micro & small enterprises increased from ₹5
crore to ₹10 crore.
CUSTOMISED
CREDIT-CARD FACILITY
Introduction of new financial instruments for MSMEs: e.g., a customized
credit-card facility for micro enterprises, special term loans for first-time
women, SC/ST entrepreneurs.
CHANGES
IN GST THRESHOLDS
Some reform suggestions are being circulated for further legal and
regulatory ease — faster dispute resolution for MSMEs, changes in GST
thresholds for small businesses, etc.
WHAT’S
PLANNED FOR “BY DECEMBER,2025”
A
SOLE MEDIATOR/ARBITRATOR FOR MSME
Amendments to the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Act,
2006 (MSMED Act) to introduce e-adjudication and a sole mediator/arbitrator for
MSME payment disputes, possibly by December.
INCREASE
IN GST EXEMPTION LIMITS
Increase in GST exemption limits (for goods/services) for smaller
businesses by March 2026, with intermediate steps by end of calendar year.
REDUCTION
IN TAX AND COMPLIANCE BURDEN
BOOSTING
PRODUCTIVITY
IMPROVED
COST COMPETITIVENESS
LEVERAGING
AI AND TECH INNOVATION TO STRENGTHEN MANUFACTURING
FINAL
THOUGHTS
Thus, while some changes are already in effect or being rolled out,
others are earmarked for later in the year (or into early the next fiscal
year).
R V SECKAR FCS, LLB 79047 19295
THE MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS (MCA) IS ACTIVELY REVIEWING THE COMPANIES ACT FOR FURTHER AMENDMENTS- FURTHER EASE OF DOING BUSINESS
The corporate affairs ministry (MCA) is preparing significant amendments to the companies law, aiming to ease business operations and reduce compliance burdens.
Key changes under consideration include mandatory risk management committees, a stronger audit framework, and simplified capital raising rules, with introduction planned for the winter parliamentary session.
PROPOSED FUTURE AMENDMENTS (UNDER DELIBERATION)
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs is actively reviewing the Companies Act for further amendments, potentially including:
RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEES:
Introduction of a provision for mandatory Risk Management Committees in certain companies to strengthen oversight of risk detection and resolution.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION & MEETINGS:
Allowing companies to communicate with members in electronic form only and permitting general meetings to be held in virtual, physical, or hybrid modes. Broader recognition of technology in shareholder engagement.
REPLACEMENT OF AFFIDAVITS:
Replacing the requirement of affidavits for various purposes with simple self-declarations.
DIRECTOR PROVISIONS:
Revisiting provisions concerning the disqualification of directors and the procedure for the resignation of Key Managerial Personnel (KMP).
EASE IN CAPITAL RAISING:
Streamlined norms for issue of securities and private placements.
FASTER RESTORATION OF STRUCK-OFF COMPANIES:
Quicker revival mechanisms through digital facilitation.
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION WITH SHAREHOLDERS:
Mandatory digitization of shareholder correspondence and disclosures.
FINAL THOUGHTS
These reforms are aimed at aligning India's corporate governance framework with global best practices, enhancing transparency, and creating a more competitive and investment-friendly environment for businesses of all sizes, especially MSMEs and startups.
R V SECKAR , FCS ,LLB 79047 19295