The Members,
AIA ENGINEERING LIMITED
Ahmedabad
Your Directors take pleasure in submitting the 34th Annual Report and the Audited Annual Accounts of the Company for the year ended 31 March, 2024.
1. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Standalone Operating Results:
During the year under review, the Revenue from Operations of the Company is ' 4,14,394.99 Lakhs as compared to ' 4,04,476.35 Lakhs in the previous Financial Year. Exports Turnover registered in the same period is ' 2,76,941.76 Lakhs as against the Export Turnover of ' 2,75,384.06 Lakhs in the previous Financial Year.
During the year under review, Company has earned a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of ' 1,46,460.82 Lakhs and Profit After Tax (PAT) of ' 1,12,944.99 Lakhs as compared to PBT of ' 1,26,708.36 Lakhs and PAT of ' 96,882.56 Lakhs respectively in the previous Financial Year.
Consolidated Operating Results:
During the year under review, on a Consolidated basis, your Company (together with its Subsidiaries and Joint Venture) has earned Revenue from Operations of ' 4,85,376.13 Lakhs as compared to ' 4,90,876.87 Lakhs in the previous Financial Year. Correspondingly, the Consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) registered during the year under review is ' 1,13,557.33 Lakhs (After Minority Interest) as compared to PAT (After Minority Interest) of ' 1,05,592.89 Lakhs in the previous Financial Year.
2. DIVIDEND:
The Board of Directors is pleased to recommend a Dividend of ' 16/- (800%) per Equity Share of the face value of ' 2/- each amounting to ' 15,091.26 Lakhs for the Financial Year 2023-24.
The Dividend, if declared/approved by the Shareholders at the ensuing Annual General Meeting, will be paid to those Shareholders, whose names stand registered in the Register of Members as on the Record Date. In respect of shares held in dematerialised form, it will be paid to the members whose names are furnished by National Securities Depository Limited and Central Depository Services (India) Limited, as beneficial owners.
3. SHARE CAPITAL:
The paid up Equity Share Capital of the Company as on 31 March, 2024 is ' 1,886.41 Lakhs. During the year under review, the Company has neither issued shares with differential voting rights nor granted stock option or sweat equity.
4. FINANCE:
Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 March, 2024 were ' 18,032.70 Lakhs. The Company continues to focus on judicious management of its Working Capital, Receivables, Inventories, while other Working Capital parameters were kept under strict check through continuous monitoring.
Capital Expenditure Outlay:
During the year under review, the Company has incurred Capex of ' 21,075.73 Lakhs (including work- in-progress).
Deposits:
During the year under review, the Company has neither accepted nor renewed any deposits within the meaning of Section 73 of the Companies Act, 2013.
Particulars of Loans, Guarantees or Investments:
During the year under review, Company has not provided any loan but it has provided a Guarantee covered under the provisions of Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013. The details of Guarantees provided and Investments made by the Company are given in the Notes to the Financial Statements.
Internal Financial Control and Audit:
The Company has a formal framework of Internal Financial Control ("IFC") in alignment with the requirement of Companies Act, 2013 and has also laid down specific responsibilities on the Board, Audit Committee, Independent Directors and Statutory Auditors with regard to IFC. Accordingly, 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 part of IFC framework and take 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 controls. Based on this evaluation, no significant events had come to notice during the year 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 year and is adequate considering the business operations of the Company. The Statutory Auditors of the Company has audited the IFC with reference to Financial Reporting and their Audit Report is annexed as Annexure B to the Independent Auditors? Report under Standalone Financial Statements and Consolidated Financial Statements.
Related Party Transactions:
All the Related Party Transactions entered during the financial year were on an Arm?s Length basis and were in the Ordinary Course of Business. There are no materially significant Related Party Transactions made by the Company with Promoters, Directors, Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) which may have a potential conflict with the interest of the Company at large.
Prior Omnibus approval of the Audit Committee is obtained on yearly basis for the transactions which are of a foreseen and repetitive nature. The transactions entered into pursuant to the omnibus approval so granted were placed before the Audit Committee and the Board of Directors for their approval on quarterly basis. The details of Related Party Transactions entered by the Company are disclosed in Form AOC-2 - as per Annexure "A".
The Policy on Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board of Directors is uploaded on the website of the Company viz. https://aiaengineering.com/ wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Policy-Related-Party- Transaction.pdf.
Credit Rating:
CRISIL has upgraded the Long Term rating and has reaffirmed the Short Term rating of the Company as CRISIL AA+/Positive and CRISIL A1+ respectively.
Dun & Bradstreet Information India Private Limited (D&B) has evaluated the Company during September, 2023 and reassigned a Dun Bradstreet Rating of 5A I, which indicates that overall status of the Company is "Strong".
5. HUMAN RESOURCES:
Amongst the various resources that are required for the successful functioning of any organization, human resource is one of the most important and impactful resource of any company. We fully acknowledge and understand the huge impact this resource can have on the proper functioning and growth of the organization and hence invest a significant amount of time and effort in nurturing and developing this resource.
Any asset needs to be managed, maintained and developed. Human asset is no different and considering the importance of this asset, we are continuously looking for ways and means for efficient and effective human resource management. It is with this consideration, that we engage with some of the best agencies and consultants in this area.
Working with top notch global agencies ensures that we have access to some of the best talents in our area of operation. The company works in a very structured and organized manner in sourcing and recruiting some of the most competent and experienced personnel from different parts of the world.
While having good talent is important, training and developing the same is equally important. As a corporate philosophy, we are dedicated towards continuous improvement and skill enhancement. Right from a very systematic, structured and elaborate orientation and induction program at the beginning, we continuously work towards regular and periodic skill enhancement programs for our team members. To ensure a structured and committed emphasis on this aspect, we have created a dedicated training and development cell which systematically designs training programs for different individuals based on the mapping of their skills.
One of our key corporate philosophy is safety and well being of our employees. We are extremely committed towards the physical and mental health of our team
members. In addition to prioritizing safe work practices, we champion holistic wellness and regularly organize different wellness sessions like yoga etc. conducted by experts for the overall health and well being of our employees.
Every asset has a lifecycle and hence understanding the same and optimally utilizing the same is a very scientific and technical process. We approach the employee lifecycle with precision and foresight, meticulously designing each stage from onboarding, training, career progression and succession planning. Our performance appraisal system is built on an objective assessment of individual performance and potential, ensuring fairness, growth opportunities and accountability throughout.
Continual upgradation and refinement of our HR practices is at the core of our organizational ethos. Through collaborating with leading global consultants, we ensure that we are at the forefront in talent acquisition, organizational structuring and other HR practices. While staying true to our core values, philosophy and management style, we embrace innovation and modern practices to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness, leveraging the diverse talent pool created with utmost care and precision to propel forward our growth trajectory.
6. MATERIAL CHANGES, TRANSACTIONS AND COMMITMENTS:
There are no material changes and commitments, affecting the financial position of the Company which have occurred between the close of Financial Year on March 31, 2024 to which the Financial Statements relates and the date of this Report.
7. BUSINESS PROSPECTS:
Company?s future growth of business is always linked to growth of the industries like Mining, Cement and Thermal Power generation.
Company?s focus is to provide comprehensive solutions which are aimed at not only reducing the cost of consumable wear parts which are used in the process of Grinding and Crushing in the above industries through reduced wear rates but also to focus on reducing the overall cost of ownership in the hands of the customer by increasing the grinding efficiency, increasing the throughputs and reducing other operating expenses by customising tailor made solutions to suit the requirement of a given customer.
Cement Industry is largely converted into High Chrome Mill Internals use, Company?s growth is linked mainly to the overall growth of the Industry. Cement industry growth remains low on account of heavy infrastructure already built in the western world and China, which drove global growth in Cement consumption in last
two decades, also tapering down its consumption. We continue remain closely involved with all key Cement manufacturers and invest resources to be able to help them optimise their grinding operations and remain a valued partner.
Major growth driver for Company continues to be the huge conversion opportunity available in the Mining Industry space. The addressable market opportunity is around 2 to 2.5 million tonnes (of annual consumption) for the three ores on which the Company is focusfsed upon viz. Gold, Copper and Iron Ore. The level of penetration of High Chrome Grinding Media is less than 15%, which offers a significant opportunity for growth through conversion from Forged Grinding Media to High Chrome Grinding Media.
Further, in addition to Grinding Media as the main product supplied to the Mining Industry, Company is also very excited about prospects for growth in the Mill Liner Segment where the Company is manufacturing and supplying Metal Liners based on unique patented Mill Liner design licensed by the Company as well its own proprietary designs, which helps the Company in offering multiple advantages including improved throughputs and reduced power costs.
Company is addressing the mining opportunity of conversion through a combination of solutions based on the requirement of a mining customer. This includes cost savings through lower wear rates and lower consumptions owing to the High Chrome advantage; Down process related benefits in the form of reduction in the cost of other expensive reagents/improvement of recoveries by use of High Chrome Grinding Media; and lastly unique Mill Lining solutions having the effect of increasing the throughput and reduction in the power cost. Company is also offering unique Mill Liners to the mining market and widening its wallet share and value addition with customers. Company?s dedicated greenfield Mining Liner plant has been commissioned in Quarter 2 of Financial Year 2022-23 is helping the Company in taking incremental market share in this segment, as well as offer higher cross selling opportunities for Grinding Media. Commissioning of said Mining Liner plant resulted in increase in capacity by 20,000 MT.
Going forward, Company continues to build on its competencies to offer material value addition to its customers in form of increase in throughput, increase in yield of gold and copper ores and reduction in operating costs in terms of wear costs, power costs and reagent consumption. This value addition is offered by continuous and direct engagement with operations personnel at plants in different countries and ensuring that a custom designed solution is offered
to meet their specific objectives and engage with them on a continuous improvement journey to measure and ensure the benefits accrue over the lifetime of our solution. A Continued volatility in the prices of major raw materials viz. Scrap and Ferro Chromium is now becoming a rule rather than exception. Thus, in Financial Year 2023-24 at least for first Quarter the Ferro Chromium prices continued to rise whereas in the second and third quarter there was a small dip while again in the fourth quarter the prices started rising. However, the Company has demonstrated its ability of passing over this increase cost of raw materials consistently year over year over a lag of anywhere between 3 and 6 months. This also demonstrates the resilience of our business model.
The Company is extremely confident of the long term prospects of sustained growth through new customer acquisitions in the Mining Segment. Company believes that it has certain distinct competitive advantages given its unique product offerings coupled with highly efficient plants in India, duly supported by a strong global sales force and support infrastructure in the form of Company?s global offices and warehouse infrastructure and continued developmental efforts aimed at making its solutions very potent - all these factors are giving the Company the confidence that it should emerge as a dominant supplier of Mill Internals in the Mining space as well.
Company continues to maintain its significant market share as a supplier of large castings to the Thermal Power Plant Industry in India. Although this is relatively a smaller business, it is still an important business for it and the Company.
8. FUTURE EXPANSION:
Over the past five years, we have witnessed a positive trend in net cash generated from operating activities despite having challenges related to the metal prices, freight costs and global economic growth. This demonstrates our strong capital efficiency, i.e. effective conversion of operational performance into cash flows, which is vital for funding our growth initiatives and meeting our financial obligations. With a commitment to long-term growth, we have consistently prioritised allocating substantial financial resources towards capital expenditure. These strategic investments are designed to enhance operational capabilities, support expansion plans and ensure a robust and sustainable future for our Company. Accordingly, our capex proposals are from internal cash accruals.
The Company?s current capacity stands at 4,60,000 MT Per Annum.
The Company is well progressing on implementing the second phase of Grinding Media Greenfield expansion project with a capacity of 36,000 MT at Kerala GIDC near Ahmedabad and expected to come in production by December 2024.
The Company has a plant cluster in Odhav in Ahmedabad primarily for production of parts other than grinding media. For this cluster, Company is progressing on a one-time upgradation project which includes capacity de-bottlenecking and restructuring, creation of warehouse space, pattern storage facilities and related infrastructure. While the project will continue in phases over next year the capacity optimization of 20,000 MT of castings is now completed.
Being a responsible corporate citizen, we are dedicated to the conservation of environment. The Company recognise the significance of renewable energy in combating climate change. Keeping this as our primary objective for Financial Year 2024-25, the Company further plans to invest in Renewable Energy Projects (including Solar and Wind) by investing ' 30 to ' 40 Crores. In fiscal year 2025-2026, it is estimated that 60% to 70% of total power consumed will come from renewable sources.
9. SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES/ASSOCIATE COMPANY:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 129(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, a Statement containing salient features of Financial Statement of Subsidiary Companies in Form AOC 1 is given as Annexure "B".
The Company will make available the Annual Accounts of the Subsidiary Companies and the related detailed information to any member of the Company who may be interested in obtaining the same. The Annual Accounts of the Subsidiary Companies will also be kept open for inspection at the Registered Office of the Company. The Consolidated Financial Statements prepared by the Company include financial results of its Subsidiary Companies and Joint Venture.
The separate Audited Financial statements in respect of each of the Subsidiary Companies are also available on the website of your Company at https://aiaengineering.com/investor/.
During the year under review, Company alongwith its wholly owned subsidiary i.e. Vega Industries (Middle East) FZC has acquired a wholly owned subsidiary in Peru viz. Vega Industries Peru Limited. Vega Industries (Middle East) FZC, UAE has also acquired 43% stake in the business of Vega MPS Pty Limited, Australia.
During the year under review, Vega Industries (Middle East) FZC, UAE, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company has purchased 100% shareholding of Vega Industries Limited, USA from its wholly owned subsidiary i.e. Vega Industries Limited, UK. By virtue of this, Vega Industries Limited, USA has now become the wholly owned subsidiary of Vega Industries (Middle East) FZC, UAE and first level step down subsidiary of the Company.
10. INSURANCE:
The Company has taken adequate insurance coverage of all its Assets and Inventories against various types of risks viz. fire, floods, earthquake, cyclone, etc.
11. INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS (IR):
The Company continues to maintain harmonious industrial relations. Company periodically reviews its HR policies and procedures to aid and improve the living standards of its employees, and to keep them motivated and involved with the larger interests of the organisation. The Company has systems and procedures in place to hear and resolve employees? grievances in a timely manner, and provides avenues to its employees for their all-round development on professional and personal levels. All these measures aid employee satisfaction and involvement, resulting in good Industrial Relations.
12. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE:
In line with the Company?s commitment to good Corporate Governance Practices, your Company has complied with all the mandatory provisions of Corporate Governance as prescribed in Regulations 17 to 27 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, ("SEBI LODR Regulations").
A separate Report on Corporate Governance and Practicing Company Secretary?s Report thereon is included as a part of the Annual Report.
13. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (MDA):
MDA covering details of Operations, International Markets, Research and Development, Opportunities and Threats etc. for the year under review is given as a separate Statement, which forms part of this Annual Report.
14. RISK MANAGEMENT:
I n compliance with the provisions of Regulation 21 of SEBI LODR Regulations, the Board of Directors has constituted a Risk Management Committee. The details of Committee and its terms of reference are set out in the Corporate Governance Report forming part of the Board?s Report.
The Company has a robust Risk Management framework to identify, evaluate business risks and opportunities. Corporate Risk Evaluation and Management is an ongoing process within the Organisation. The Company has a well-defined Risk Management framework to identify, monitor and minimising/mitigating risks.
The Risk Management framework has been developed and approved by the senior management in accordance with the business strategy.
The key elements of the framework include:
Risk Structure;
Risk Portfolio;
Risk Measuring & Monitoring and
Risk Optimising.
The implementation of the framework is supported through criteria for Risk assessment, Risk forms & MIS.
15. POLICES:
(a) Vigil Mechanism / Whistle Blower Policy:
The Company has adopted a Vigil Mechanism/ Whistle Blower Policy through which the Company encourages employees to bring to the attention of Senior Management including Audit and Risk Management Committee, any unethical behavior and improper practice and wrongful conduct taking place in the Company. The brief details of such vigil mechanism forms part of the Corporate Governance Report.
(b) Policy on protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace:
I n line with the Sexual Harassment of Women at workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 and Rules made thereunder, the Company has adopted a policy for the same. The brief details of the said policy form part of the Corporate Governance Report of this Annual Report. The Company has not received any complaint during the Financial Year 2023-24 in this regard.
(c) Code of Conduct to Regulate, Monitor and Report Trading by Insiders:
In Compliance with the SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015, the Company has revised Model Code of Conduct of Insider Trading Regulations from time to time. The Company adopted the Code of Conduct to regulate, monitor and report trading by Designated Person(s) in order to protect the Investor's Interest. The details of the said Code of Conduct forms part of the Corporate Governance Report.
(d) Policy for Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report:
In pursuance of Regulation 34 of SEBI LODR Regulations, top 1000 companies based on market capitalisation (calculated as on March 31 of every
financial year) are required to prepare and enclose with its Annual Report, a Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report describing the initiatives taken by them from an environmental, social and governance perspectives. A separate report on Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report is annexed herewith as Annexure "C".
(e) Dividend Distribution Policy:
The Board of Directors had approved the Dividend Distribution Policy in line with SEBI LODR Regulations. The Policy is hosted on website of the Company at https://aiaengineering.com/wp- content/uploads/2023/06/Dividend-Distribution- Policy.pdf.
16. DIRECTORS AND KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
(KMP):
(a) Board of Directors and KMP
The Board of Directors of the Company is led by the Independent - Non Executive Chairman and comprises eight other Directors as on 31 March, 2024, including one Managing Director, one Whole-Time Director, four Independent Directors (including one Woman Independent Director) and two Non-Executive Directors (other than Independent Directors).
All the Independent Directors of the Company have furnished declarations that they meet the criteria of Independence as prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI LODR Regulations.
Considering the integrity, expertise and experience (including the proficiency), the Board of Directors recommends the reappointment of Mrs. Bhumika Shyamal Shodhan (DIN: 02099400), Director of the Company retires by rotation at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and being eligible, offered herself for re-appointment.
Mrs. Janaki U. Shah (DIN: 00343343) has been appointed as an Independent Director for a period of 5 consecutive years from 12 August, 2019 to 11 August, 2024. The Board on recommendation of Nomination and Remuneration Committee, has re-appointed her as an Independent Director for a period of 5 consecutive years from 12 August, 2024 and proposed a resolution for member's approval at the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
As required under SEBI LODR Regulations amended from time to time, the information on the particulars of the Directors proposed for reappointment has been given in the Notice of the Annual General Meeting.
(b) Meetings:
During the year under review, five Board Meetings and four Audit Committee Meetings were convened and held. The detail of composition of Audit Committee is as under:-
Mr. Sanjay S. Majmudar, Chairman
Mr. Rajendra S. Shah, Member
Mr. Bhadresh K. Shah, Member
Mr. Rajan R. Harivallabhdas, Member
All recommendations made by the Audit Committee during the year were accepted by the Board.
The details of Composition of all the Committees and dates of the meetings are given in the Corporate Governance Report. The intervening gap between the meetings was within the period prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI LODR Regulations.
(c) Committees of the Board of Directors:
I n compliance with the requirement of applicable laws and as part of the best governance practice, the Company has following Committees of the Board as on 31 March, 2024.
(i) Audit Committee
(ii) Stakeholders Relationship Committee
(iii) Nomination and Remuneration Committee
(iv) Corporate Social Responsibility Committee
(v) Risk Management Committee
The details with respect to the aforesaid Committees are given in the Corporate Governance Report.
(d) Board Evaluation:
Pursuant to the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and SEBI LODR Regulations, the Board has carried out an Annual Performance evaluation of its own performance, the Directors individually as well as the evaluation of the working of its Committees. The manner in which the evaluation has been carried out has been explained in the Corporate Governance Report.
(e) Familiarisation Program for Independent Directors:
The Independent Directors have been updated with their roles, rights and responsibilities in the Company by specifying them in their Appointment Letter alongwith necessary documents, reports and internal policies to enable them to familiarise with the Company?s procedures and practices.
The Company has through presentations at regular intervals, familiarised and updated the Independent Directors with the strategy, operations and functions of the Company and Engineering Industry as a whole. The details of such familiarisation programmes for Independent Directors is posted on the website of the Company and can be accessed at https://aiaengineering. com/wp-contentuploads/2024/05/Familirazation- Programme-7073-74.pdf.
(f) Nomination and Remuneration Policy:
The Board has on the recommendation of the Nomination & Remuneration Committee framed a Policy for selection and appointment of Directors, Senior Management Personnel and their remuneration. The Remuneration Policy is stated in the Corporate Governance Report which is a Part of the Board?s Report. The detailed Policy is placed on the website of the Company at https://aiaengineering.com/ wp-content/uploads/7073/06/Nomination- Remuneration-Policy.pdf.
(g) Directors' Responsibility Statement:
To the best of their knowledge and belief and according to the information and explanations obtained by them, your Directors make the following statements in terms of Clause (c) of Sub-Section (3) of Section 134 of the Companies Act, 2013, which states that
i. i n the preparation of the Annual Accounts, the applicable Accounting Standards have been followed along with proper explanation relating to material departures;
ii. the Directors have 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 of the Company for that period;
iii. the Directors have taken proper and sufficient care for the maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of this Act for safeguarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting fraud and other irregularities;
iv. the Directors have prepared the Annual Accounts on a going concern basis;
v. the Directors have laid down Internal Financial Controls to be followed by the Company and that such Internal Financial Controls are adequate and were operating effectively; and
vi. the Directors have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems were adequate and operating effectively.
17. AUDITORS:
Statutory Auditors:
BSR & Co. LLP Chartered Accountants (Firm Registration 101248W/W-100022) were re-appointed as Statutory Auditors of the Company for a period of five years from the conclusion of 32nd Annual General Meeting till the conclusion of 37th Annual General Meeting.
The Report given by the Auditors on the Financial Statements of the Company is part of this Report. There has been no qualification, reservation, adverse remark or disclaimer given by the Auditors in their Report.
Internal Auditors:
The Board of Directors at the recommendations of the Audit Committee appointed Talati & Talati LLP Chartered Accountants as Internal Auditors of the Company and ADCS & Associates, Chartered Accountants as Internal Auditors for its Nagpur Unit for the Financial Year 202425.
Cost Auditors:
The Cost Auditors has filed the Cost Audit Report with Ministry of Corporate Affairs for the Financial Year ended 31 March, 2023 on 17 August, 2023.
The Board of Directors on the recommendation of the Audit Committee has re-appointed Kiran J. Mehta & Co., Cost Accountants, Ahmedabad as the Cost Auditors of the Company to conduct the audit of the cost accounting records of the Company for the Financial Year 202425. As required under the Companies Act, 2013, the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditors is required to be placed before the members of the Company for their ratification at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. Accordingly, a resolution seeking member?s ratification to the remuneration payable to Kiran J. Mehta & Co., Cost Accountants, Ahmedabad is included in the Notice convening the 34th Annual General Meeting.
Secretarial Auditors:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules 2014, the Company has appointed, Mr. Tushar M. Vora, Practicing Company Secretary (FCS-3459, C.P No. 1745), Ahmedabad to conduct a Secretarial Audit of the Company?s Secretarial and related records for the year ended 31 March, 2024.
The Report on the Secretarial Audit for the year ended 31 March, 2024 is annexed herewith as Annexure "D" to this Board?s Report. There were no qualification/ observations in the report.
18. PARTICULARS OF ENERGY CONSERVATION,
TECHNOLOGY ABSORPTION AND FOREIGN
EXCHANGE EARNINGS AND OUTGO:
The additional information regarding Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption and Foreign Exchange Earnings and Outgo, stipulated under Section 134 (3) (m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is annexed herewith to this report.
19. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company prepared in accordance with relevant Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) viz. Ind AS-27, Ind AS-28 and Ind AS-110 issued by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, form part of this Annual Report.
20. ANNUAL RETURN:
In accordance with the provisions of Section 92(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, Annual Return of the Company as on 31 March, 2024 is hosted on website of the Company at https://aiaengineering.com/wp- content/uploads/2024/07/Annual-Return.pdf
21. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR):
As per the provisions of Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 and Rules made thereunder, the amount required to be spent on CSR activities during the year under review, is ' 1,652.10 Lakhs and the Company has spent ' 1,652.10 Lakhs during the Financial Year ended 31 March, 2024. The requisite details of CSR activities carried by the Company pursuant to Section 135 of the Companies Act, 2013 is annexed as Annexure "E".
The composition and other details of the CSR Committee is included in the Corporate Governance Report which form part of the Board?s Report.
22. PARTICULAURS OF EMPLOYEES:
The information required pursuant to Section 197 of Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment & Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 in respect of employees of the Company is annexed as Annexure "F". The statement containing particulars of employees as required under Section 197(12) of the Act read with Rule 5(2) and 5(3) of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, is not applicable as there was no employee falling under the criteria specified in aforesaid Rule 5(2) and 5(3).
23. ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY:
At AIA Engineering, our commitments to sustainability are deeply embedded in our Company culture. The Company has an ambition to create a zero-harm culture. A safety culture that embraces care and trust as core values is fundamental for achieving improved outcomes. We work towards consistently improving our safety culture and to encourage the wellbeing of all our employees. Our employees are strongly encouraged to pursue these goals by observing safety rules and procedures. It protects the safety and occupational health of our workforce.
We continuously strive to minimise our environmental footprint by reducing our Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and our energy consumption. We are improving energy efficiency, investing in renewable power generation technologies, and considering new solutions towards water conservation, managing waste through recycling and waste minimisation activities.
Since 2021, we have been diligently estimating our GHG emissions, covering Scope 1, 2, and 3 categories. Currently, we are exploring the feasibility of aligning with international guidelines by setting an emissions reduction target. Our comprehensive strategy involves exploring various avenues to reduce emissions across our value chain. This includes exploring low-carbon fuel adoption, transitioning towards grid electricity from renewable sources, expanding our renewable energy generation capacity. Furthermore, we are committed
to produce responsibly by developing products that not only enhance operational efficiency but also help our customers reduce their carbon footprint. By supplying novel products to our customers, we are not only improving our own environmental impact but also contributing to the overall targets of Net Zero alignment for our customers as well. We manage our impact on the natural environment, both today and with future generations in mind.
Priority of the Company is to maintain its commitment to operational excellence, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship. We contribute toward a global environment where people can live safe, healthy, and productive lives.
24. SECRETARIAL STANDARDS:
The Company has complied with Secretarial Standards issued by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India on Meetings of the Board of Directors and General Meetings.
25. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
Your Directors would like to express their appreciation for the assistance and co-operation received from the Company?s customers, vendors, bankers, auditors, investors and Government bodies during the year under review. Your Directors place on record their appreciation of the contributions made by employees at all levels. Your Company?s consistent growth was made possible by their hard work, solidarity, co-operation and support.