Clause 123 - Substitution of section 19. - Finance Bill, 2021

Substitution of section 19. 123. For section 19 of the principal Act, the following sections shall be substituted, namely:- Executive Committee. 19. (1) The Board may constitute an Executive Committee of the Board, consisting of- (i) the Chairperson; (ii) Managing Directors; (iii) the directors referred to in clause (c) of sub-section (2) of section 4; and (iv) four directors nominated by the Board from amongst the directors referred to in clauses (d), (e), (f) and (g) of subsection (2) of section 4. (2) The Executive Committee of the Board shall exercise such powers as the Board may entrust to it. . Investment Committee. 19A. The Board may, for such functions relating to investment of the funds of the Corporation as the Board may entrust, constitute an Investment Committee of the Board, consisting of the Chairperson and not more than seven other directors, of which a minimum two shall be directors other than directors appointed under clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 4: Provided that the officers of the Corporation heading the functions dealing with finance, risk, investment and law as well as its Appointed Actuary shall be invited to every meeting of the Committee and shall have a right to be heard at the meeting. Explanation .-For the purposes of this section and section 24B, Appointed Actuary means the actuary appointed as such by the Corporation under the regulations made by the Authority under the Insurance Act regarding appointed actuaries. Nomination and Remuneration Committee. 19B. (1) The Board shall constitute a Nomination and Remuneration Committee of the Board, consisting of three or more directors from amongst directors other than those appointed under clauses (a) or (b) of sub-section (2) of section 4, out of whom not less than one-half shall be independent directors at any time when the number of independent directors in office is sufficient to constitute such proportion of the membership of the Committee: Provided that the Chairperson may be appointed as a member of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee but shall not chair the Committee. (2) The Nomination and Remuneration Committee shall- (i) formulate the criteria for determining qualifications, positive attributes and independence of a director to be appointed under clause (e) or clause (f) or clause (g) of subsection (2) of section 4 and recommend the same to the Board; (ii) in accordance with the criteria referred to in clause (i), identify individuals who are qualified to be appointed as such a director: Provided that while identifying individuals, the Committee shall have due regard to the requirements under the proviso to sub-section (1) of section 19C; (iii) give its recommendations to the Board regarding appointment and removal of such an individual, and carry out evaluation of his performance; and (iv) recommend to the Board a policy relating to the sum payable as sitting fees to a director nominated or appointed under clauses (d) or (e) or (f) or (g) of sub-section (2) of section 4, subject to such fees not exceeding such limit as may apply in respect of sitting fees payable to a director of a company under the Companies Act. Audit Committee. 19C. (1) The Board shall constitute an Audit Committee of the Board, consisting of a minimum of three directors with independent directors forming a majority when the number of independent directors in office is sufficient to constitute such proportion of the membership of the Audit Committee: Provided that a majority of directors on the Audit Committee, including its chairperson, shall be individuals with ability to read and understand financial statements and at least one individual shall have accounting or related financial management expertise. (2) The Audit Committee shall act in accordance with the terms of reference specified by the Board, which shall include, inter alia,- (a) recommendations for appointment, remuneration and terms of appointment of the auditors of the Corporation; (b) review and monitoring of the independence and performance of the auditors, and the effectiveness of the audit process; (c) examination of financial statements and auditor s report thereon; (d) approval of transactions of the Corporation with related parties: Provided that the Audit Committee may make omnibus approval for related party transactions proposed to be entered into by the Corporation subject to such conditions as may be prescribed: Provided further that in case of transaction other than transactions referred to in section 4C, and where the Audit Committee does not approve a transaction, it shall make its recommendations to the Board: Provided also that in case any transaction involving any amount not exceeding one crore rupees is entered into by a director or an officer of the Corporation without obtaining the approval of the Audit Committee and it is not ratified by the Audit Committee within three months from the date of the transaction, such transaction shall be voidable at the option of the Corporation with the approval of the Audit Committee and if the transaction is with the related party to any director or is authorised by any other director, the director concerned shall indemnify the Corporation against any loss incurred by it: Provided also that the provisions of this clause shall not apply to a transaction, other than a transaction referred to in section 4C, between the Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary; (e) scrutiny of inter-corporate loans and investments; (f) valuation of undertakings or assets of the Corporation, wherever it is necessary; (g) evaluation of internal financial controls and risk management systems; (h) monitoring the end use of funds raised through public offers, and related matters. (3) The Audit Committee may call for the comments of the auditors about internal control systems, the scope of audit, including the observations of the auditors and review of financial statement before their submission to the Board and may also discuss any related issues with the auditors and the management of the Corporation. (4) The Audit Committee shall have authority to investigate any matter in relation to the items specified in sub-section (2) or referred to it by the Board and, for this purpose, shall have the power to obtain professional advice from external sources and have full access to information contained in the records of the Corporation. (5) The auditors of the Corporation and such key managerial personnel as the Board may specify shall have a right to be heard in the meetings of the Audit Committee when it considers the auditor s report. Other Committees. 19D. The Board may constitute such other Committees of the Board as it may deem fit, to render advice to the Board on such matters as may be generally or specially referred to them, and to perform such duties as the Board may entrust to them. .