Dear Shareholders,
Your Directors present the 29th Annual Report of the Company together with
the audited financial statements of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2024.
1. Operating Results
The operating results of the Company for the year ended March 31, 2024 are as follows: Rs.
in Lakhs
For the year ended March 31 |
2024 |
2023 |
Net Profit before Depreciation & Taxation |
266.10 |
276.25 |
Less : Depreciation |
138.79 |
129.96 |
Provision for Deferred Taxation |
(10.39) |
1.17 |
Provision for Taxation / Written Off |
24.25 |
44.92 |
Net Profit/(Loss) |
113.44 |
88.59 |
Add : Balance from Last Year |
2,565.97 |
2,477.39 |
Prior Period Profit adjustments |
- |
- |
Less : Appropriation |
- |
- |
Transfer to Reserves Profit / (Loss) carried to Balance Sheet |
2,679.39 |
2,565.97 |
Our core managerial team has excellent medical device industry experience and most of
them have been associated with our Company since its formative years. CENTENIAL is
committed to working closely with our suppliers and making far-reaching changes across our
value chain by encouraging our business partners, suppliers and hospitals, nursing homes
to adopt responsible and sustainable practices. However, we are confident that our
integrated capabilities and execution brilliance will continue to drive our brand
CENTENIAL prominence in INDIA. Further details of operations are given in the management
discussion and analysis report, which forms part of this report. I am also indebted to the
Highly-Educated Members of the Board for their guidance and to the Honest, Loyal and
Committed Employees, as always. Our values always guide us, and our history and heritage
as a Company, stands for Trust, Service and High Quality.
CENTENIAL is an established leader in key growth cardiovascular suture market, with a
large and differentiated portfolio of medical devices, backed by well-respected brands.
Further, Your Company's plant is certified by ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, WHO-GMP, ISO
14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and medical devices are in conformity to medical device
directives 93/42/EEC, Medical Device Rules, 2017. Your Company's plant at Murbad, Thane,
Maharashtra has set a benchmark in terms of quality and productivity.
CENTENIAL stands for Quality, Reliability, Commitment, Integrity and TRUST.
2. Transfer to reserves
There are no transfers to any specific reserves during the year.
3. State of the company's affairs
During the year under review, your Company's total revenue from operations was Rs.
5,118.89 Lakhs and net profit after tax is at Rs.113.44 Lakhs.
4. Dividend
In order to conserve resources for the operating business, your Directors after due
consideration of the financial accounts of the Company have not recommended any dividend.
5. Cash flow and consolidated financial statements
As required under Regulation 34 of the Listing Regulations, Cash Flow Statement and
Financial Statement is part of the Annual Report.
6. Future prospects
The Company has started production of surgical threads, and two new medical devices /
products are under development and trials during the year and hopes to scale up production
in the coming year.
7. Change in nature of business
There has been no change in the nature of business of the Company. Your Company
continues to be a medical device company engaged in manufacturing surgical sutures, other
medical devices and started manufacturing of surgical threads.
8. Transfer of Unpaid and Unclaimed Amounts to IEPF
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 124(5) of the Companies Act, 2013, dividend which
remains unpaid or unclaimed for a period of seven years from the date of its transfer to
unpaid dividend account is required to be transferred by the Company to Investor Education
and Protection Fund (IEPF), established by the Central Government under the provisions of
Section 125 of the Companies Act, 2013. Since no dividend has been paid this section is
not applicable.
9. Conservation to energy, technology absorption, foreign exchange earnings
& outgo.
The information pertaining to conservation of energy, technology absorption, foreign
exchange earnings and outgo as required under Sub-section (3)(m) of Section 134 of the
Companies Act, 2013, read with the Companies (Accounts)
Rules, 2014, are enclosed as Annexure C to the Directors' Report. Your Company
continuous to focus on research and development activities towards the upgradation of
technology, development, testing and certification of atraumatic needles and sutures for
conformity to new Indian / International standards and export market.
10. Statement concerning development and implementation of risk management policy of
the company
The Company has in place a mechanism to identify, assess, monitor and mitigate various
risks to key business objectives. Major risks identified by the businesses and functions
are systematically addressed also discussed at the meetings of the Risk Management
Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company.
11. Internal control system and their adequacy
The Company has an adequate Internal Control System, commensurate with the size, scale
and complexity of its operations. M/s. Utsav Shah & Associates, Chartered Accountants,
are appointed with scope of the Internal Audit duly approved by the Audit Committee. To
maintain its objectivity and independence, the Internal Auditor reports to the Audit
Committee. The Internal Auditor evaluates the adequacy of the internal control system in
the Company on the basis of statement of operations procedure, instruction manuals,
accounting policy and procedures.
12. Corporate Social Responsibility
The Provisions of Section 134(3)(o) and Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 read
with Rule 8 of Companies (CSR Policy) Rules, 2014 regarding corporate social
responsibility do not apply to the company for the period under review.
13. Loans, Guarantees or Investments
Loans, guarantees and investments covered under Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013
are NIL during Financial Year 2023 - 2024.
14. Related Party Transactions
Transactions with related parties are in the ordinary course of business and also on
arms' length pricing basis. Prior omnibus approval from the Audit Committee is obtained
for transactions which are repetitive and also normal in nature. Further, disclosures are
made to the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. Particulars
of Contracts or arrangements with related parties referred to in Section 188(1) of the
Companies Act, 2013, in the prescribed from AOC 2 is appended as Annexure E to the
Directors' Report.
15. Policy on Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and
Redressal) Act, 2013
The Company has zero tolerance towards sexual harassment at the workplace and has
adopted a policy on prevention, prohibition and redressal of sexual harassment at
workplace in line with the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace
(Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Rules thereunder. An Internal
Complaints Committee has been constituted to inquire into complaints of sexual harassment
and recommend appropriate action. During the year under review, the Internal Complaints
Committee has not received any complaint of sexual harassment. The Policy on Sexual
Harassment of Women is available at the website of the company: http://www.centenialindia.com/corporate.html.
16. Extract of Annual Return
Annual Return in accordance with the Companies Act, 2013, the Annual Return in the
prescribed format is available at www.centenialindia.com.
17. Meetings of the Board of Directors
The meetings of the Board of Directors are scheduled at regular intervals to decide and
discuss on business performance, policies, strategies and other matters of significance.
The schedules of the meetings are circulated in advance, to ensure proper planning and
effective participation in meetings. In certain exigencies, decisions of the Board are
also accorded through circulation. During the financial year 2023 - 2024, the Board of
Directors of the Company, met 06 (Six) times on May 27, 2023; August 12, 2023; November
14, 2023; February 1, 2024; February 14, 2024 and March 29, 2024. The Meeting details are
provided in the Corporate Governance report that forms part of this Annual Report. The gap
between two consecutive board meetings is less than 120 days. Pursuant to the requirements
of Schedule IV to the Companies Act, 2013 and the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015, a
separate Meeting of the Independent Directors of the Company was also held on March 28,
2024, without the presence of Non-Independent Directors and members of the management, to
review the performance of non-independent directors and the Board as a whole, the
performance of the Chairperson of the company and also to assess the quality, quantity and
timeliness of flow of information between the company management and the Board.
18. Directors Responsibility Statement
In Compliance with Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013, the Board of Directors
hereby confirm the following:
(a) In the preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting standards had
been followed along with proper explanation relating to material departures;
(b) The Directors had selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently
and made judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and
fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of the financial year and of
the profit and loss of the Company for that period;
(c) The Directors had taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate
accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for
safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other
irregularities;
(d) The Directors had prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
(e) The Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate and effective
internal financial controls with regard to its business operations and, in the preparation
and presentation of the financial statements, in particular, the assertions on the
internal financial controls in accordance with broader criteria established by the
Company. Towards the above objective, the Directors have laid down internal financial
controls based on internal controls framework established by the Company, which in all
material respects were operating effectively as at March 31, 2024.
(f) The Directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions
of all applicable laws and that such systems are adequate and operating effectively. The
Company has substantially complied with material provisions of such acts and regulations
as are relevant for its operations.
19. Deposits
The Company has not accepted any fixed deposits from the public.
20. Particulars of employees and remuneration
The information required under Section 197 of the Act read with rule 5(1) of the
Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 is as per
Annexure D.
21. Directors and Key Managerial Personnel a. Change in Directorate:
During the year Shri Sunil C. Modi (DIN : 0310396), Shri Bhushan S. Limaye (DIN :
00804930) and Shri Jagadish B. Shetty (DIN : 00731896) ceased to be Independent Directors
w.e.f. the closing hours of March 31, 2024 due to completion of second term of office as
an Independent Non-Executive Directors respectively.
The Board, at its meeting held on February 14, 2024 based on the recommendation of the
Nomination and remuneration committee of the Company approved the following appointments
to the Board.
(a) The appointment of Shri Akash S. Modi (DIN : 08698016), as an additional Director
Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a term of 05 (Five) consecutive
years with effect from April 1, 2024.
(b) The appointment of Shri Anuj V. Shah (DIN : 10256390), as an additional Director
Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a term of 05 (Five) consecutive
years with effect from April 1, 2024.
(c) The appointment of Ms. Ridhima B. Limaye (DIN : 10256393), as an additional
Director Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company for a term of 05 (Five)
consecutive years with effect from April 1, 2024.
The above-mentioned appointments were duly approved by the members of the Company vide
Postal ballot on May 31, 2024.
b. Retire by rotation
In accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Articles of Association of the
Company, Anuradha Kashikar (DIN : 00804831), Executive Director of the Company, retires by
rotation at the 29th e-AGM and being eligible, offered herself for
re-appointment.
Brief resume, nature of expertise, disclosure of relationship between directors
inter-se, details of directorships and committee membership held in other companies of the
Directors proposed to be appointed / re-appointed, along with their shareholding in the
Company, as stipulated under Secretarial Standard 2 and Regulation 36 of the Listing
Regulations, is appended as an Annexure to the Notice of the ensuing 29th
e-AGM. c. Key Managerial Personnel:
Shri Vijay Majrekar (DIN : 00804808), Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director
(CEO & MD), Anuradha Kashikar (DIN : 00804831), Chief Finance officer and Executive
Director of the Company, Shri Devraj T. Poojary (DIN : 02041726), Executive Director and
M. Bathwal (Membership No. ACS A35069) Company Secretary and Compliance Officer are
the Key Managerial personnel of the Company as on March 31, 2024.
d. Independent Directors' Declaration
The Company has, inter alia, received the following declarations from all the
Independent Directors confirming that: they meet the criteria of independence as
prescribed under the provisions of the Act, read with the Rules Made thereunder, and the
SEBI Listing Regulations. There has been no change in the circumstances affecting their
status as Independent Directors of the Company; they have complied with the Code for
Independent Directors prescribed under Schedule IV to the Act; and
they have registered themselves with the Independent Director's Database maintained by
the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. In the opinion of the Board all Independent
Directors possess requisite qualifications, experience, expertise and hold high standards
of integrity required to discharge their duties with an objective independent judgment and
without any external influence. List of key skills, expertise and core competencies of the
Board, including the Independent Directors, forms a part of the Corporate Governance
Report of this Integrated Annual Report.
e. Meetings of the Board, Board Evaluation, Training and Familiarisation Programme
& Vigil Mechanism
During the year, six meetings of the Board of Directors were held. The details of
meetings held and Director's attendance, training and familiarisation programme and Annual
Board Evaluation process for Directors, policy on Director's appointment and remuneration
including criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes, independence of
Director, and also remuneration for key managerial personnel and other employees,
composition of Audit Committee, establishment of Vigil Mechanism for Directors and
employees, form a part of the Corporate Governance Report of this Integrated Annual
Report.
22. Attributes, qualifications & independence of directors, their appointment and
remuneration
The Nomination & Remuneration Committee of Directors have approved a Policy for
Selection, Appointment and Remuneration of Directors which inter-alia requires that
composition and remuneration is reasonable and sufficient to attract, retain and motivate
Directors, KMP and senior management employees and the Directors appointed shall be of
high integrity with relevant expertise and experience so as to have diverse Board and the
Policy also lays down the positive attributes/criteria while recommending the candidature
for the appointment as Director.
23. Declaration of Independent Directors
The Independent Directors have submitted their disclosures to the Board that they
fulfil all the requirements as stipulated in Section 149(7) of the Companies Act, 2013 to
qualify themselves to be appointed as Independent Directors under the provisions of the
Companies Act, 2013 and the relevant rules.
24. Familiarisation Programme for Independent Directors
The details of training and familiarisation programme are provided in the Corporate
Governance Report. Further, at the time of appointment of an Independent Non-Executive
Director, the Company issues a formal letter of appointment outlining his / her role
function, duties and responsibilities. The format of the letter of appointment is
available on our website: http://www.centenialindia.com/corporate/code_of_conduct/
25. Credit Ratings
CRISIL continued to reaffirm their rating of "BBB-/Stable (Reaffirmed)" and
"A3 (Reaffirmed)", for various banking facilities throughout the year enabling
your Company to avail facilities from bank(s) at attractive rates indicating a very strong
degree of safety for timely payment of financial obligations.
26. Statutory Auditors
M/s. Mahesh Chandra & Associates, Chartered Accountants, Firm Registration No.
112334W who were appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company by the Shareholders of the
Company in their 25th Annual General Meeting held in September 28, 2020 for a period of
five years shall be the Statutory Auditors of the Company. The requirement under the
proviso to Section 139(1) that "the Company shall place the matter relating to such
appointment (of auditors) for ratification by members at every annual general
meeting" has been omitted from the Companies Act, 2013. Therefore, the Company does
not propose ratification of appointment of statutory auditors for the approval of the
members. They have further confirmed that they are not disqualified to be appointed as
Statutory Auditor in terms of the provisions of Section 139 and Section 141 of the Act and
the rules made thereunder. The proposed fees payable to the Statutory Auditor for the
statutory audit of the financial year would be Rs. 1.75 lakhs excluding the fees for
limited review, other services availed, if any and out of the pocket expenses.
27. Internal Auditors
M/s. Utsav Shah & Associates, Chartered Accountants, are appointed with scope of
the Internal Audit duly approved by the Audit Committee. And who have issued their reports
on quarterly basis.
28. Secretarial Audit
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies
(Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, the Board of Directors
had appointed M/s. HSPN & Associates LLP, Practising Company Secretaries, to conduct
the Secretarial Audit of the Company for the Financial Year. The
Secretarial Auditor's Report is annexed as Annexure 1 and forms an integral part of
this Report.
29. Cost records and Auditors
The Company is not required under Section 148(1) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with
Companies (Audit &
Auditors') Rules, 2014 and the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Amendments Rules,
2014, the Company is not required to maintain the cost records in respect of its business
and accordingly such accounts and records are not made and maintained. No Cost Audit under
the provisions of Section 233B of the Companies Act, 1956 has been carried out. The cost
audit is applicable in the following situations:
Table A specified goods/services
? Overall annual total turnover of the company from all the products/services is INR
50 Crore or more; and
? Aggregate turnover from the individual product/service for which cost records are
required to be maintained is INR 25 Crore or more.
Table B specified goods/services
? Overall annual total turnover of all the products/services should be INR 100 Crore
or more; and
? Aggregate turnover from the individual product/service for which cost records are
required to be maintained should be INR 35 Crore or more.
As the Company does not satisfy the above-mentioned criteria, the cost audit is not
applicable and the company has taken legal steps to quash the proceedings of the Registrar
of Companies, Maharashtra against the company and we do not see any financial impact in
this matter.
30. Auditors' Qualifications / reservations / adverse remarks / Frauds reported
The Auditors' Report does not contain any qualifications, reservations or adverse
remarks. However, the Secretarial
Audit Report contain qualification pursuant to Regulation 31(2) of SEBI (LODR)
Regulations, 2015 for dematerialisation of promoter shareholding. The Company would like
to inform that promoters are working to convert 600 shares of Promoters physical
shareholding into demat as per Regulation 31(2) of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
31. Management discussion and analysis
Management's Discussion and Analysis Report for the year under review, as stipulated
under the SEBI (LODR)
Regulations, 2015 is presented in a separate section forming part of the Annual Report.
32. Corporate Governance Code
The Company is committed towards maintaining the highest standards of Corporate
Governance and adhering to the Corporate Governance requirements as set out by Securities
and Exchange Board of India. The Report on Corporate Governance as stipulated under
Regulation 34 (3) and Part C of schedule V of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015 forms part of
the Annual Report. The Certificate from the practicing Company Secretary confirming
compliance with the conditions of Corporate Governance as stipulated under Regulation 34
(3) and Part E of schedule V of the SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015 is also published in
this Annual Report as Annexure B.
33. Subsidiary, joint ventures and associate companies
The Company has no subsidiary and not entered in joint ventures.
34. Whistle Blower Policy / Vigil Mechanism
The Company has implemented a whistle blower policy, whereby employees, Directors and
other stakeholders can report matters such as generic grievances, misconduct,
misappropriation of assets and non-compliance to code of conduct to the Company. The
policy safeguards the whistle blowers to report concerns or grievances and also provides
direct access to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Vigil Mechanism Policy is
available at the website of the company: http://www.centenialindia.com
35. Reporting of frauds by Auditors
During the year under review, the Statutory Auditors and the Secretarial Auditor have
not reported to the Audit Committee under Section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013, any
instance of fraud committed in the Company, by its officers or employees.
36. Material changes and commitments, if any, affecting the financial position of the
Company which have occurred between the end of the financial year of the company to which
the financial statements relate and the date of the report
The company has started the manufacturing of surgical threads under the guidance,
technical knowhow of M/s. Polymedtex, GmpH, Republic of Germany, to reduce reliance on
supply of surgical threads from previous suppliers, and other than this activity of
backward integration, production of surgical threads there are no material changes and
commitments affecting the financial position of the Company occurred during the financial
year and the date of this report.
37. The details of significant and material orders passed by the regulators or courts
or tribunals impacting the going concern Status and company's operations in future
During the year there has been no significant material orders passed by the Regulators
or Courts or Tribunals impacting the going concern status and company's operations in
future.
38. Committees of the Board
In accordance with the Companies Act, 2013, the Board has formed currently three
Committees as follows:
Audit Committee
Nomination and Remuneration Committee
Stakeholders' Relationship Committee
Details of all the Committees along with their charters, composition and meetings held
during the year, are provided in the "Report on Corporate Governance", a part of
this Annual Report.
39. Statement Concerning Development and Implementation of Risk Management Policy of
the Company
The Company has in place a mechanism to identify, assess, monitor and mitigate various
risks to key business objectives. Major risks identified by the businesses and functions
are systematically addressed also discussed at the meetings of the Audit Committee and the
Board of Directors of the Company.
40. Other disclosures
The Company does not have any Employees Stock Option Scheme in force and hence
particulars are not furnished, as the same are not applicable. No proceedings against the
Company are initiated or pending under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. The
details of difference between amount of the valuation done at the time of one-time
settlement and the valuation done while taking loan from the Banks or Financial
Institutions along with the reasons thereof Not Applicable.
41. Board policies
The Company seeks to promote highest levels of ethical standards in the normal business
transactions guided by the value system. The SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015 mandates
formulation of certain policies for listed companies. The Policies are reviewed
periodically by the Board and are updated based on the need and compliance as per the
applicable laws and rules and as amended from time to time. The policies are available on
the website of the Company at www.centenialindia.com.
42. Compliance of applicable secretarial standards
Your Directors hereby confirm that the Company has complied with the necessary
provisions of the revised Secretarial Standard 1 and Secretarial Standard 2 to the extent
applicable to the Company.
43. Enhancing shareholder value
Your Company firmly believes that its success, the marketplace and a good reputation
are among the primary determinants of value to the shareholder. The organisational vision
is founded on the principles of good governance and delivering leading-edge products
backed with dependable after sales services. Following the vision your Company is
committed to creating and maximising long-term value for shareholders.
44. Financial Statements / Disclosure of Accounting Treatment in the preparation of
Financial Statements
The financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with the
Indian Accounting Standards
(Ind AS) notified under the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015. These
are the Company's first Ind
AS Financial Statements. The significant accounting policies which are consistently
applied are set out in the Notes to the financial statements.
45. Share Capital
The paid-up equity shares capital of the Company as on March 31, 2024 was Rs.364.83
Lakhs. During the year under review, the Company has not issued shares with differential
voting rights nor granted stock options nor sweat equity.
46. Cautionary statement
Statements in the Board's Report and the Management Discussion & Analysis
describing the Company's objectives, expectations or forecasts may be forward looking
within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may
differ materially from those expressed in the statement. Important factors that could
influence the Company's operation include global and domestic demand and supply conditions
affecting selling prices of raw materials, finished goods, input availability and prices,
changes in government regulations, tax laws, economic developments within and outside the
country and various other factors.
47. Insurance
All properties and insurable interests of the Company including buildings, plant and
machinery and stocks have been fully insured.
48. People and Safety
CENTENIAL values all our employees and makes effort through Quality of work life to
help their growth. Your Company has always placed emphasis on our people and safety at
workplace. Industrial relations in the Company were cordial throughout the business year
under review.
49. Environment and safety
The Company accords the highest priority for maintaining safety standards and a
pollution-free environment.
50. Research and Development
The Company's research & development activities continue to be directed towards up
gradation of technology & development of new product codes & packaging lines. Your
Company's commitment is to meet & exceed those expectations.
51. Goods and Services Tax (GST)
GST, which was implemented on July 1, 2017 as one nation one tax', is an
all-pervasive event. It has comprehensively impacted consumption of all goods and
services, triggering a colossal change in the way business dealings take place. GST, which
is still evolving, provides an opportunity to reset the way business transactions could be
optimized for efficiency in cost and quality. Due to its multifaceted impact, GST has
become an important factor in competitive businesses environment. GST on sutures and other
medical devices 12%. However, the increase in headline tax is likely to be offset by the
tax efficiencies that may accrue on procurements. Your Company is geared to deal with the
challenges thrown up as a result of numerous amendments made by our Government viz:
implementation of E-Way Bill system, matching credit concepts, anti-profiteering
provisions, etc.
52. Certification of ISO 9001:2015 : ISO 13485:2016 : WHO-GMP : ISO 14001:2015 : ISO
45001:2018 : Medical devices conformity to 93/42/EEC medical directives.
Our Company is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 13485:2016, WHO-GMP, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018
and medical devices are in conformity to medical device directives 93/42/EEC, Medical
Device Rules, 2017 and these stringent system means effective control over every step to
achieve true Quality Assurance for our medical devices.
53. Acknowledgments
Your Directors would like to express their appreciation for the assistance and
co-operation received from the Food and Drugs Administration, CDSCO, Banks, Government
Authorities, Surgeons, Hospitals, Nursing homes, the committed services by our Executives,
Staff and Employees, to the members of the Board for their guidance who contributed to the
success of our Company.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors |
|
For CENTENIAL SURGICAL SUTURE LTD |
|
Vijay Majrekar |
Place of Signature: Mumbai, Maharashtra |
Chairman and Managing Director |
Date: August 12, 2024 |
DIN: 00804808 |