Clarification with regard to format of annual return applicable for Financial Year 2013-14 and fees to be charged by companies for allowing inspection of records. - Companies Law - 22/2014

General Circular No. 22/2014 No. 1/ 34 /2013-CL-V (Part-I) Government of India Ministry of Corporate Affairs 5 th Floor, A Wing, Shastri Bhavan, Dr. R.P. Road, New Delhi. Dated : 25 th June. 2014 To All Regional Directors, All Registrars of Companies, All Stakeholders. Subject: Clarification with regard to format of annual return applicable for Financial Year 2013-14 and fees to be charged by companies for allowing inspection of records. Sir, Government has received requests for clarification about the applicability of form of annual return (MGT-7) prescribed under rule 11(1) of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014 for financial year(s) commencing earlier than 1 st April, 2014. The matter has been examined in the light of provisions of section 92(1) of the Act which requires annual return to contain particulars as they stood on the close of the financial year. It is, clarified that Form MGT-7 shall not apply to annual returns in respect of companies whose financial year ended on or before 1 st April, 2014 and for annual returns pertaining to earlier years. These companies may file their returns in the relevant Form applicable under the Companies Act, 1956. 2. Companies have also sought clarity about permitting free of cost inspection of records under rule 14(2) and rule 16 of the rules cited above and till a fee is prescribed for the purpose in the Articles. It is clarified that until the requisite fee is specified by companies, inspections could be allowed without levy of fee. 3. This issues with the approval of the competent authority. Yours faithfully, (KMS Narayanan) Assistant Director (Policy) 23387263 Copy to :- 1. e-Governance Section and Web Contents Officer to place this circular on the Ministry s website 2. Guard File