Dear Members,
Your Directors are pleased to present Thirtieth Annual Report on
the business and operations of the Company, along with the Standalone & Consolidated
Audited Financial Statements of the Company for the Financial Year ended on March 31,
2024.
Financial Highlights:
The Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared in
accordance with the Indian Accounting Standards ("Ind AS") notified under
section 133 of The Companies Act, 2013 ("the Act"), read with Rule 7 of
The Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 ("the Accounts Rules").
The standalone and consolidated financial performance of the Company,
for the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024 are summarized below:
Particulars |
Standalone |
Consolidated |
|
For the year ended on March 31, 2024 |
For the year ended on March 31, 2023 |
For the year ended on March 31, 2024 |
For the year ended on March 31, 2023 |
Revenue from Operations and other Income |
2,628 |
2,647 |
23,417 |
22,597 |
Profit before Interest, Depreciation, Amortization and |
510 |
518 |
3,221 |
3,421 |
Impairment expenses, exceptional item and tax |
|
|
|
|
Less: Finance Costs |
26 |
11 |
240 |
161 |
Less: Depreciation and amortization expenses |
36 |
35 |
238 |
250 |
Profit before exceptional item and tax |
448 |
472 |
2,743 |
3,010 |
Exceptional Items |
- |
- |
142 |
101 |
Profit Before Tax (PBT) |
448 |
472 |
2,601 |
2,909 |
Less: Tax Expenses [Debited / (Credited)] |
111 |
(192) |
(68) |
(195) |
Profit After Tax (PAT) |
337 |
664 |
2,669 |
3,104 |
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
Owners of the Parent |
337 |
664 |
2,669 |
3,104 |
Other Comprehensive (Loss) / Income (net of tax) |
(3) |
(5) |
(2) |
- |
Total Comprehensive Income |
334 |
659 |
2,667 |
3,104 |
Attributable to: |
|
|
|
|
Owners of the Parent |
334 |
659 |
2,669 |
3,104 |
Opening balance in Retained Earnings |
3,887 |
3,546 |
14,766 |
11,981 |
Amount available for appropriation |
4,221 |
4,205 |
17,435 |
15,084 |
Less: |
|
|
|
|
Dividend |
(318) |
(318) |
(318) |
(318) |
Closing Balance in Retained Earnings |
3,903 |
3,887 |
17,117 |
14,766 |
Earnings Per Share (EPS) |
|
|
|
|
(Face Value of shares of Rs 10/- each) |
|
|
|
|
Basic (Rs) - After exceptional items |
5.30 |
10.44 |
41.94 |
48.78 |
Basic (Rs) - Before exceptional items |
5.30 |
10.44 |
44.18 |
50.36 |
Diluted (Rs) - After exceptional items |
5.30 |
10.44 |
41.94 |
48.78 |
Diluted (Rs) - Before exceptional items |
5.30 |
10.44 |
44.18 |
50.36 |
Results of operations:
During the year under review, the consolidated revenue from operations
grew by 3.2% to Rs 23,278 millions (Rupees Twenty Three Thousand Two Hundred Seventy Eight
millions only) from Rs 22,548 millions (Rupees Twenty Two Thousand Five Hundred Forty
Eight millions only) in 2022-2023. The profit before tax decreased by 10.6% y-o-y to Rs
2,601 millions (Rupees Two Thousand Six Hundred One millions only). Net profit after tax
(before OCI) decreased by 14.0% y-o-y to Rs 2,669 millions (Rupees Two Thousand Six
Hundred Sixty Nine millions only). The Net Profit margin, as a % (Percentage) to total
operating income during the current year is 11.5%. A detailed analysis of performance for
the year has been included in the Management Discussion and Analysis Report, forming part
of the Annual Report.
During the year under review, the standalone revenue from operations
and other income was Rs 2,628 millions (Rupees Two Thousand Six Hundred Twenty Eight
millions only). The Company has incurred standalone Profit Before Tax of
Rs 448 millions (Rupees Four Hundred Forty Eight millions only) and
Profit after Tax of Rs 337 millions (Rupees Three Hundred Thirty Seven millions only). The
EPS on standalone financials for the year ended on March 31, 2024 was Rs 5.30 (Rupees Five
and Thirty paisa only).
Dividend:
During the year under review, your Directors have recommended a final
dividend of Rs 5/- (Rupees Five only) (50.0%) per equity share on 6,36,32,144 Equity
Shares of
Rs 10/- (Rupees Ten only) each fully paid-up for the Financial Year
ended on March 31, 2024, amounting to Rs 318 millions (Rupees Three Hundred Eighteen
millions only). The dividend, if declared by the members at the ensuing Annual General
Meeting ("AGM"), will be paid to those Members whose name stands
registered in the Register of Members on Friday, July 19, 2024 i.e. the Record Date. In
respect of shares held in dematerialized form, it will be paid to the Members whose name
are furnished by the National Securities Depository Limited and the Central Depository
Services (India) Limited, as beneficial owners. The Dividend Payout Ratio for the
Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024 is 11.9% of consolidated profit after tax. The
Income Tax Act, 1961, ("the IT Act") as amended by The Finance Act, 2020,
mandates that dividend paid or distributed by a company after April 1, 2020 shall be
taxable in the hands of members. The Company shall therefore be required to deduct tax at
source at prescribed rates, at the time of making the payment of dividend. More details on
deduction of tax at source are provided in Note No. 6 of the Notice convening Thirtieth
AGM.
Pursuant to regulation 43A of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and
Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 ("the Listing Regulations")
the Company has formulated Dividend Distribution Policy, which is approved by the Board of
Directors ("the Board") and is uploaded on the website of the Company and
the weblink of the same is provided in a separate section in Corporate Governance Report,
which forms part of the Annual Report.
Renewable Energy Project:
In line with the philosophy to enhance the share of renewable power
source in its operations and to comply with regulatory requirement for being a
captive user' under The Electricity Act, 2003, Zydus Wellness Products Limited
("ZWPL"), the wholly owned subsidiary company has entered into Share
Purchase, Subscription and Shareholders' Agreement to acquire stake in AMP Energy
Green Thirteen Private Limited
("AMP"), for generating 2MW Solar Power Project for
Aligarh plant. ZWPL has invested Rs 7.20 millions (Rupees Seven millions Two Hundred
Thousand only) in the equity shares and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures ("CCDs")
equivalent to 0.7% of the equity share capital and CCDs of AMP, on a fully diluted basis,
as at March 31, 2024 and the details of investment are provided in the Note No. 4 -
Investments of the Audited Financial Statements of ZWPL.
Consolidated Financial Statements:
Pursuant to the provisions of Ind AS-110 on Consolidation of Financial
Statements and as provided under the provisions of the Act read with Schedule III of the
Act and Rules made thereunder and the Listing Regulations, the Audited Consolidated
Financial Statements are provided in the Annual Report, which provides the financial
resources, assets, liabilities, income, profits and other details of the Company and its
wholly subsidiary companies, as a single entity.
Subsidiary companies:
The Company has 5 (five) wholly owned subsidiary companies viz. ZWPL,
Liva Nutritions Limited, Liva Investment Limited, Zydus Wellness International DMCC, Dubai
and Zydus Wellness (BD) Pvt. Limited, Bangladesh. During the year, no companies have
become or ceased to be its subsidiaries, joint ventures or associate companies.
There has been no material change in the nature of business of the
Company as well as subsidiary companies. More details are provided in the Audited
Financial Statements. During the year under review, the Board has reviewed the performance
/ affairs of the subsidiary companies.
Pursuant to the provisions of regulation 16(1)(c) of the Listing
Regulations, the Company has formed a policy relating to material subsidiaries, which is
approved by the Board and the weblink of the same is provided in a separate section in
Corporate Governance Report, which forms part of the Annual Report.
Pursuant to the provisions of section 136 of the Act, the Audited
Financial Statements of the subsidiary companies are uploaded on the website of the
Company at www.zyduswellness.com. The Company will make available free of cost the Audited
Financial Statements of the subsidiary companies and the related detailed information to
any member of the Company who may be interested in obtaining the same. The Financial
Statements of the subsidiary companies will also be kept open for inspection at the
Registered Office of the Company. Pursuant to the provisions of sections 129, 134 and 136
of the Act and Rules made thereunder and regulation 33 of the Listing Regulations, the
Consolidated Financial Statements presented by the Company includes Financial Results of
its subsidiary companies.
Pursuant to the provisions of section 129(3) of the Act and Rules made
thereunder, a statement containing the salient features of the Financial Statements of its
subsidiaries in the prescribed format in Form AOC-1 is attached to the Audited Financial
Statements.
Transfer of Shares and Dividend to Investor Education and Protection
Fund ("IEPF"):
Pursuant to the provisions of sections 124 and 125 of the Act and Rules
made thereunder from April 1, 2023 to May 14, 2024, the Company has transferred equity
shares and dividend to IEPF Authority as mentioned below: i. 11,872 (Eleven Thousand Eight
Hundred Seventy Two) equity shares of Rs 10/- (Rupees Ten only) each of 259 (Two Hundred
Fifty Nine) members whose dividend has remained unclaimed / unpaid for a consecutive
period of 7 (seven) years to the demat account of IEPF after giving notice to the members
and publishing advertisement in newspapers to claim their shares and ii. Rs 2.03 millions
(Rupees Two millions Thirty Thousand only) held by 6,349 (Six Thousand Three Hundred Forty
Nine) members, being the unclaimed dividend for the Financial Years ended on March 31,
2016 and March 31, 2017 to IEPF after giving three notices to the members to claim their
unpaid / unclaimed dividend.
As at March 31, 2024, 90,852 (Ninety Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty two)
equity shares are lying with IEPF.
Fixed Deposit:
Pursuant to the provisions of sections 73 and 74 of the Act read with
Rules made thereunder, the Company has neither accepted nor renewed any deposits from
public and as such, no amount on account of principal or interest on deposits from public
was outstanding as on the end of the Financial Year.
Insurance:
The Company's properties, plants, equipments and stocks /
inventory are adequately insured against all major risks. The Parent Company has taken
Directors' and Officers' Liability Policy to provide coverage against the
liabilities arising on them, which also includes the Directors of the Company.
Management Discussion and Analysis ("MDA"):
Pursuant to the provisions of regulation 34(2)(e) of the Listing
Regulations, MDA, for the year under review, is provided in a separate section, which
forms part of the Annual Report.
Related Party Transactions:
All contracts / arrangements / transactions entered into by the Company
during the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024 with related parties were in the
ordinary course of business and on an arm's length basis and had no conflict with the
interest of the Company. All related party transactions are placed before the Audit
Committee on a quarterly basis for review and approval.
Pursuant to the provisions of section 134(3)(h) of the Act and Rules
made thereunder, disclosure of particulars of material transactions [i.e. transactions
exceeding Rs 10,000/- millions (Rupees Ten Thousand millions only) or 10% (ten percent) of
the annual consolidated turnover as per the latest Audited Financial Statements] with
related parties entered into by the Company in the prescribed format in Form No. AOC-2 is
annexed to this report as Annexure-"A". Disclosures on related party
transactions are set out in Note No. 37 of the Standalone Audited Financial Statements.
Pursuant to the provisions of regulation 23(1) of the Listing
Regulations, the Board has approved Policy on materiality of related party transactions
and dealing with related party transactions and the weblink of the Policy is provided in a
separate section in Corporate Governance Report, which forms part of the Annual Report.
Pursuant to the provisions of regulation 23(9) of the Listing
Regulations, during the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024, the Company has filed the
half yearly disclosures of related party transactions with the stock exchanges.
Particulars of Loans, Guarantees and Investments:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 134(3)(g) of the Act, details of
loans, guarantees and investments covered under section 186 of the Act are given in the
notes to the Standalone Audited Financial Statements.
Directors and Key Managerial Personnel:
As at March 31, 2024, your Company's Board comprised of 8 (eight)
Directors; which includes 1 (one) Executive Director and 7 (seven) Non-Executive
Directors, comprising of 4 (four) Independent Directors ("IDs") [which
also includes 1 (one) Woman Director] and 1 (one) Nominee Director. Other statutory
details are provided in the Corporate Governance Report, which forms a part of the Annual
Report.
i. Appointment of Director:
Based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration
Committee ("NRC"), the Board appointed Mr. Akhil A. Monappa (DIN:
09784366) as an Additional (Non-Executive and Independent) Director of the Company for the
first term of 5 (five) consecutive years w.e.f. May 17, 2023. Further, the members at the
29th (Twenty Ninth) AGM held on August 3, 2023 passed special resolution for approval of
the said appointment.
ii. Appointment and Re-appointment of IDs:
Based on the recommendation of NRC and the Board, the members at the
29th (Twenty Ninth) AGM held on August 3, 2023 passed special resolutions for
re-appointment of Ms. Dharmishtaben N. Raval (DIN: 02792246) and Mr. Srivishnu R. Nandyala
(DIN: 00025063) as IDs of the Company for the second term of 5 (five) consecutive years
effective from March 11, 2024.
iii. Completion of term of ID:
Mr. Savyasachi S. Sengupta (DIN: 05158870) ceased to be an ID of the
Company and member of various committees of the Board w.e.f. close of business hours on
November 1, 2023, on completion of his first term of 5 (five) consecutive years i.e. from
November 2, 2018 upto November 1, 2023.
The Board placed on record its sincere appreciation for the
contribution made by him during his tenure as the ID.
iv. Retirement by rotation and Re-appointment of Mr. Tarun Arora as a
Chief Executive Officer & Whole Time Director ("CEO & WTD") for a period
of 5 (five) years:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 152(6) of the Act and in terms of
the Articles of Association of the Company, Mr. Tarun Arora (DIN: 07185311) will retire by
rotation at the ensuing AGM and being eligible, offers himself for re-appointment.
Further, Mr. Tarun Arora was re-appointed as a CEO & WTD of the
Company for a period of 5 (five) years from May 7, 2020 and his tenure of re-appointment
will expire on May 6, 2025.
The Board based on the recommendation of NRC at its meeting held on May
14, 2024 and subject to approval of members at the ensuing AGM, has re-appointed Mr. Tarun
Arora as a CEO & WTD, for a further period of 5 (five) years, with effect from May 7,
2025 upto May 6, 2030. The Board recommends his re-appointment.
v. Approval for regularization of Mr. Ashish P. Bhargava as a Nominee
Director:
Mr. Ashish P. Bhargava was appointed as a Nominee Director of the
Company w.e.f. January 30, 2019.
Pursuant to the provisions of regulation 17(1D) of the Listing
Regulations and based on recommendation of NRC, the Board at its meeting held on May 14,
2024, subject to approval of members at the ensuing AGM, has recommended the
regularization of Mr. Ashish P. Bhargava as a Nominee Director of the Company.
vi. Declaration of Independence:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 134(3)(d) of the Act, the Company
has received declaration of independence as stipulated under sections 149(6) and 149(7) of
the Act and regulations 16(1)(b) and 25 of the Listing Regulations from IDs confirming
that they are not disqualified for continuing as an ID. There has been no change in the
circumstances affecting their status as IDs of the Company.
All the Directors of the Company, who are required to get registered,
have registered themselves with The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs. Further, as per
the declarations received, none of the Directors of the Company are required to give
online proficiency test, except 1 (one) ID who has cleared the proficiency test, as per
the first proviso to rule 6(4) of The Companies (Appointment and Qualification of
Directors) Rules, 2014, as amended from time to time.
vii. Details of Directors seeking re-appointment / regularization:
Pursuant to the provisions of regulation 36(3) of the Listing
Regulations and standard 1.2.5 of Secretarial Standard-2 on General Meetings issued by The
Institute of Company Secretaries of India ("ICSI"), details of Directors
seeking re-appointment / regularization at the ensuing AGM is annexed to the notice
convening Thirtieth AGM.
viii. Key Managerial Personnel ("KMP"):
The following persons are the KMP as on March 31, 2024:
1. Mr. Tarun Arora, CEO & WTD,
2. Mr. Umesh V. Parikh, Chief Financial Officer, and
3. Mr. Nandish P. Joshi, Company Secretary and Compliance Officer.
ix. Board Evaluation:
Pursuant to the provisions of the Act and the Rules made thereunder and
as provided under Schedule IV of the Act and the Listing Regulations, the NRC and the
Board have carried out an annual performance evaluation of its own performance, the
Directors individually as well as the evaluation of its committees. Pursuant to the
provisions of section 134(3)(p) read with rule 8(4) of the Accounts rules, the manner in
which the evaluation was carried out is provided in the Corporate Governance Report, which
forms a part of the Annual Report.
In a separate meeting of IDs, the performance of the Non-Independent
Directors, the Board as a whole and the Chairman of the Company was evaluated, taking into
account the views of Executive Director and Non-Executive Directors.
The Board and the NRC reviewed the performance of individual Directors
on the basis of criteria fixed by the Board / NRC.
The functioning of the Board, the Committees and performance of
individual Directors was found satisfactory.
x. Nomination and Remuneration Policy:
The Board has on the recommendation of the NRC, framed a Policy on
selection and appointment of Director(s), Senior Management and their remuneration. The
Nomination and Remuneration Policy and weblink of the same is provided in a separate
section in Corporate Governance Report, which forms part of the Annual Report.
xi. Pecuniary relationship:
During the year under review, except those disclosed in the Audited
Financial Statements, the Non-Executive Directors of the Company had no pecuniary
relationship or transactions with the Company.
Insider Trading Regulations:
The Company has adopted the Code for Prevention of Insider Trading as
per the provisions of SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 ("Insider
Trading Regulations"). Other details on Insider Trading Regulations are provided
in the Corporate Governance Report, which forms a part of the Annual Report.
Directors' Responsibility Statement:
Pursuant to the provisions of sections 134(3)(c) and 134(5) of the Act
and to the best of their knowledge and belief, and according to the information and
explanations provided to them, your Directors hereby make the following statements:
i. that in preparation of the Financial Statements, the applicable
accounting standards have been followed along with proper explanation relating to material
departures, if any,
ii. that such accounting policies have been selected and applied
consistently and judgments and estimates made that are reasonable and prudent so as to
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company as at March 31, 2024 and
of the profit of the Company for the year ended on that date,
iii. that proper and sufficient care has been taken for maintenance of
adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding
the assets of the Company and for prevention and detection of fraud and other
irregularities,
iv. that the Financial Statements have been prepared on a going concern
basis,
v. that proper internal financial controls were in place and that the
financial controls were adequate and operating effectively, and
vi. that the systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all
applicable laws were in place and adequate and operating effectively.
Board meetings:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 173(1) of the Act, regulation
17(2) of the Listing Regulations and standard 2.1 of Secretarial Standard-1 on Meetings of
the Board of Directors issued by the ICSI, 4 (four) Board meetings were held during the
Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024 and the time gap between any 2 (two) Board meetings
was not more than 120 (one hundred twenty) days. The Board approved 3 (three) resolutions
by circulation, on June 30, 2023, October 24, 2023 and
March 30, 2024. Other information with regard to the Board meetings is
given in the Corporate Governance Report, which forms a part of the Annual Report.
Audit Committee:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 177(8) of the Act and regulation
18(2) of the Listing Regulations, the information about composition of Audit Committee and
other details are given in the Corporate Governance Report, which forms a part of the
Annual Report.
Composition of other Committees:
Composition of other Committees constituted by the Board and details of
the Committees are given in the Corporate Governance Report, which forms a part of the
Annual Report.
Recommendations of Committees:
The Board has accepted the recommendations of all the Committees
constituted by the Board.
Corporate Governance:
The Company has complied with the Corporate Governance requirements
under the Act and as stipulated under the Listing Regulations. A separate section on
detailed report on the Corporate Governance practices followed by the Company under the
Listing Regulations along with a certificate from Hitesh Buch & Associates, Practicing
Company Secretaries, confirming the compliance, forms a part of the Annual Report.
Auditors: i. Statutory Auditors and Audit Report:
Mukesh M. Shah & Co, Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration No.
106625W) were appointed as Statutory Auditors from the conclusion of Twenty Sixth AGM of
the Company till the conclusion of Thirty First AGM of the Company. They have furnished a
declaration confirming their independence as well as their arm's length relationship
with the Company and that they have not taken up any prohibited non-audit assignments for
the Company.
The Board has duly reviewed the Statutory Audit Report for the
Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024 and the observations and comments, appearing in the
audit report are self-explanatory and do not call for any further explanation /
clarification by the Board in their Report as provided under section 134(3)(f) of the Act.
The Company has received the consent and eligibility certificate from
the said Statutory Auditors as required under the Act.
ii. Cost Auditors:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 148(3) of the Act read with rule
4 of The Companies (Cost Records and
Audit) Rules, 2014 as amended from time to time, the cost records
maintained by the Company in respect of its product Nutralite' are required to
be audited. The Audit Committee recommended and the Board at its meeting held on May 14,
2024, approved appointment of Dalwadi & Associates, Cost Accountants (Firm
Registration No. 000338) to audit the cost records of the Company for the Financial Year
ending on March 31, 2025 at a remuneration of Rs 0.34 millions (Rupees Three Hundred Forty
Five Thousand only) plus applicable Goods and Services Tax and out of pocket expenses at
actuals, if any.
Pursuant to the provisions of section 148 of the Act and rule 14(a)(ii)
of The Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, the remuneration payable to the Cost
Auditors is required to be placed before the members at General Meeting for ratification.
Accordingly, a resolution seeking ratification by the members of the remuneration payable
to Dalwadi & Associates, Cost Accountants, is included at Item No. 8 of the Notice
convening Thirtieth AGM.
iii. Secretarial Auditors and Secretarial Audit Report:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 204 of the Act, rule 9 of The
Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 and
regulation 24A(1) of the Listing Regulations, the Board has appointed Hitesh Buch &
Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries, to undertake Secretarial Audit of the Company
for the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024. The Secretarial Audit Report is annexed
herewith as Annexure-"B".
The Board has reviewed the Secretarial Audit Report and is of the
opinion that the observations and comments, appearing in the report are self-explanatory
and pursuant to the provisions of section 134(3)(f) of the Act, they do not call for any
further explanation / clarification by the Board in their Report.
Further, pursuant to the provisions of regulation 24A(1) of the Listing
Regulations, the Secretarial Audit Report of ZWPL, the material unlisted subsidiary
company is attached herewith as Annexure-"B1".
iv. Annual Secretarial Compliance Report:
Pursuant to regulation 24A(2) of the Listing Regulations, Hitesh Buch
& Associates, Practicing Company Secretaries have issued Annual Secretarial Compliance
Report for the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024. The report was placed before the
Board meeting held on May 14, 2024, which is also uploaded on the website of the Company
and can be accessed at https://www.zyduswellness.com/investor/disclosurs/q/
Annual%20Secretarial%20Compliance%20Report%20 ZWL%2031032024.pdf.
Cost Accounts and Records:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 148(1) of the Act and Rules made
thereunder and as specified by the Central Government, the Company has made and maintained
the cost accounts and records.
Compliance with Secretarial Standards:
During the year under review, the Company has complied with the
applicable Secretarial Standards i.e. SS-1 and SS-2, relating to "Meetings of the
Board of Directors" and "General Meetings", respectively, issued by the
ICSI.
Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report ("BRSR"):
Pursuant to the provisions of regulation 34(2)(f) of the Listing
Regulations, BRSR covering disclosures on Company's performance on ESG
(Environmental, Social and Governance) parameters for FY 2023-2024, including BRSR core
parameters and Independent reasonable assurance statement issued by Intertek India Private
Limited, forms a part of the Annual Report.
Corporate Social Responsibility ("CSR") and Environment,
Social and Governance ("ESG"):
Pursuant to the provisions of section 135 of the Act and rule 5 of The
Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014 ("CSR Rules")
made thereunder, the Board has constituted a CSR and ESG Committee under the Chairmanship
of Dr. Sharvil P. Patel. The other members of the Committee includes Mr. Ganesh N. Nayak
and Mr. Kulin S. Lalbhai. A CSR Policy and ESG Policy have been framed and adopted by the
Board and weblink of the same is provided in a separate section in Corporate Governance
Report, which forms part of the Annual Report.
As the average net profits of the company calculated as per section 198
of the Act was negative, no contribution towards CSR activities was required to be made
for the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024. Other details on CSR, as required under
section 135 of the Act read with the CSR Rules, are given in the Annual Report on CSR
Activities annexed herewith as Annexure-"C".
During the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024 the Company has
formulated and adopted: (i) ESG Policy, (ii) Diversity and Inclusion Policy, (iii)
Biodiversity Policy, (iv) Environment Policy, (v) Occupational Health and Safety Policy
and (vi) Ethical and Responsible Marketing Policy, weblink of the same is provided in a
separate section in Corporate Governance Report, which forms part of the Annual Report.
Business Risk Management:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 134(3)(n) of the Act and
regulation 21 of the Listing Regulations, the Company has constituted a Risk Management
Committee and adopted the Risk Management Policy. The details of the Committee, terms of
reference and weblink of the Policy are set out in the Corporate Governance Report, which
forms a part of the Annual Report.
A well-defined risk management mechanism covering the risk mapping and
trend analysis, risk exposure, potential impact and risk mitigation process is in place.
The objective of the mechanism is to minimize the impact of risks identified and taking
advance actions to mitigate them. The mechanism works on the principles of probability of
occurrence and impact, if triggered. A detailed exercise is being carried out to identify,
evaluate, monitor and manage both business and non-business risks.
Discussions on risks and concerns are covered in the MDA Report, which
forms a part of the Annual Report.
Internal Financial Control and their adequacy:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 134(5)(e) of the Act read with
rule 8(5) of the Account Rules, the Company has designed and implemented a process driven
framework for Internal Financial Controls ("IFC"). For the Financial Year
ended on March 31, 2024, the Board is of the opinion that the Company has sound IFC
commensurate with the size, scale and complexity of its business operations. The IFC
operates effectively and no material weakness exists. The Company has a process in place
to continuously monitor the same and identify gaps, if any, and implement new and / or
improved controls whenever the effect of such gaps would have a material effect on the
Company's operations.
The Company has a well-placed, proper and adequate IFC system, which
ensures: the orderly and efficient conduct of its business, safeguarding of its assets,
the prevention and detection of frauds and errors, the accuracy and completeness of the
accounting records and the timely preparation of reliable financial information. The Board
reviews the effectiveness of controls documented as a part of IFC framework and takes
necessary corrective and preventive actions wherever weaknesses are identified as a result
of such reviews. This review covers entity level controls, process level controls, fraud
risk controls and Information Technology environment.
Based on this evaluation, no significant events had come to notice
during the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024 that have materially affected, or are
reasonably likely to materially affect, our IFC. The management has also come to a
conclusion that the IFC and other financial reporting was effective during the Financial
Year ended on March 31, 2024 and is adequate considering the business operations of the
Company. The Statutory Auditors of the Company have audited the IFC with reference to
Financial Reporting and their Audit Report is annexed as an Annexure to the Independent
Auditors' Report under Standalone and Consolidated Financial Statements.
Managing the risks of fraud, corruption and unethical business
practices: i. Vigil Mechanism / Whistle Blower Policy:
The Company has built a reputation for doing business with honesty and
integrity and it has zero tolerance for any type of unethical behavior or wrongdoing. The
Company has in place a stringent vigil mechanism to report unethical behavior in order to
promote professionalism, fairness, dignity and ethical behavior in its employees.
Pursuant to the provisions of section 177(9) of the Act, rule 7 of The
Companies (Meetings of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014 and regulation 22 of the Listing
Regulations, the Company has established Vigil Mechanism and framed Whistle Blower Policy
for Directors and employees, to report concerns about unethical behaviour, actual or
suspected fraud or report instances of leakage of unpublished price sensitive information
or violation of the Company's Code of Conduct or Ethics Policy and Insider Trading
Regulations. Whistle Blower Policy is uploaded on the website of the Company and weblink
of the same is provided in a separate section in Corporate Governance Report, which forms
a part of the Annual Report.
ii. Zydus Business Conduct Policy and Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption
("ABAC") Policy:
The Company has framed "Zydus Business Conduct Policy". Every
employee is required to review and sign the policy at the time of joining and an
undertaking has to be given for adherence to the Policy. The objective of the Policy is to
conduct the business in an honest, transparent and ethical manner. The policy provides for
anti-bribery and avoidance of other corruption practices by the employees of the
Company.
During the year under review, the Company has framed and adopted ABAC
Policy. The objective of the ABAC Policy is to prohibit all forms (cash and/or in-kind) of
bribery and corruption and it is applicable to all the employees (permanent or
contractual), consultants, agents, business partners etc.
Disclosure as per the 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 the Rules framed
thereunder. Also, the Company has complied with the provisions relating to the
constitution of Internal Complaints Committee.
The Company always endeavors to create and provide conducive work
environment that is free from discrimination and harassment including sexual harassment.
The Company has in place a robust policy on prevention of sexual harassment at workplace.
The policy aims at prevention of harassment of employees, temporaries, trainees, visitors,
employees on contract or at client sites and lays down the guidelines for identification,
reporting and prevention of sexual harassment.
During the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024, the Company has not
received any complaint of sexual harassment.
Annual Return:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 92(3) read with section 134(3)(a)
of the Act, the Annual Return for the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024, in the
prescribed Form No. MGT-7 is available on the website of the Company at
https://www.zyduswellness.com/investors.php#annual-return.
Particulars of Employees:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 197 of the Act read with rule
5(1) of The Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014,
the required information is provided in Annexure-"D".
Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption and Foreign Exchange
Earnings and Outgo:
Pursuant to the provisions of section 134(3)(m) of the Act read with
rule 8(3) of the Accounts Rules, information as required to be disclosed on conservation
of energy, technology absorption, foreign exchange earnings and outgo is provided in Annexure-"E".
Others Disclosures:
During the Financial Year ended on March 31, 2024:
i. Your Directors state that the Company has made disclosures in this
report for the items prescribed in section 134(3) of the Act read with rule 8(3) of the
Accounts Rules, to the extent the transactions took place on those items,
ii. The Company does not propose to transfer any amount to the general
reserves,
iii. The Company has not issued any shares with differential voting
rights and sweat equity shares,
iv. There were no proceedings initiated / pending against your Company
under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016,
v. There were no instances where your Company required the valuation
for one time settlement or while taking the loan from the Banks or Financial institutions.
vi. Apart from what is mentioned in this report, there are no material
changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company between the end of
the Financial Year and the date of this report.
vii. There is no change in the nature of business.
viii. No fraud has been reported by the Auditors to the Audit Committee
/ the Board, pursuant to section 143(12) of the Act.
Acknowledgement:
Your Directors place on record their sincere appreciation for the
continued co-operation and support extended to the Company by various Banks. Your
Directors also thank the Trade and Consumers for their patronage to the Company's
products. Your Directors also place on record sincere appreciation of the continued hard
work put in by the employees at all levels. Your Directors also thank the Company's
Vendors, Investors, Business associates, Stock Exchanges, Government of India, State
Governments and various departments and Statutory and Government agencies or bodies for
their support and cooperation.