Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Disclaimer: © The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
Disclaimer: © The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India
The Suggested Answers hosted in the website do not constitute the basis for evaluation of the
students’ answers in the examination. The answers are prepared by the Faculty of the Board
of Studies with a view to assist the students in their education. While due care is taken in
preparation of the answers, if any errors or omissions are noticed, the same may be brought to
the attention of the Director of Studies. The Council of the Institute is not in anyway
responsible for the correctness or otherwise of the answers published herein.
Question 1
(a) X agreed to become an assistant for 5 years to Y who was a doctor practicing at
Chennai. It was also agreed that during the term of agreement X will not practice on his
own account in Chennai. At the end of one year, X left the assistantship of Y and began
to practice on his own account. Referring to the provisions of the Indian Contract Act,
1872, decide whether X could be restrained from doing so? (5 Marks)
(b) What is meant by ‘Minimum subscription’ ? State the provisions of the Companies Act,
1956 regarding the refund and deposit of minimum subscription.
(c) State with reasons whether the following statements are correct or incorrect:
(i) Promotion policies based on individual merits and not purely on the basis of
seniority, is discriminatory. (2 Marks)
(ii) Small ethical lapses do not result into unethical behavior. (3 Marks)
(d) State the qualities which a sustainable innovation organization should possess. (5 Marks)
Answer
(a) According to the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, as contained in Section 27
any agreement through which a person is restrained from exercising a lawful profession
or trade/business/ is void.
But an agreement of service by which a person binds himself during the term of the
agreement not to take service with anyone else directly or indirectly to promote any
business in direct competition with that of his employer is not in restraint of trade. In
such a situation the agreement is valid.
According to the given facts, X agreed not to practice on his own account during the term
(5 years) of agreement. After one year, X left Y and began to practice on his own
account.
Therefore, as per the above provisions, X can be restrained by an injunction from
practicing on his own account in Chennai.
(b) As per the provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, minimum subscription is the amount
as stated in the prospectus, which in the opinion of directors must be raised by the issue
of share which are offered to the public for subscription.
Section 69(3) of the Companies Act, 1956 provides the amount payable on application on
each share shall not be less than 5% of the nominal amount of share capital and Part I of
Schedule II to the Companies Act stipulates that a declaration should be made in the
prospectus that if the company does not receive the minimum subscription of 90% within
90 days from the closing of the issue, the company must refund the amount.
All moneys received from the applicants for shares shall be deposited and kept deposited
in a Scheduled Bank :
(1) Until the certificate to commence business is obtained under Section 149; or
(2) Where such certificate has already been obtained, until the entire amount payable
on application for shares in respect of the minimum subscription has been received
by the company and where such amount has not been received by the company
within the time on the expiry of 120 days (after the first issue of prospectus), all the
moneys received from the applicants for shares are required to be repaid without
interest. And if such money is not repaid within 130 days (after the issue of
prospectus), the directors, jointly and severally, shall be liable to repay the amount
with interest @ d6% p.a. from the expiry of 130 days.
(c) (i) INCORRECT: Discrimination is action based on prejudice resulting in unfair
treatment of people. To discriminate socially is to make a distinction between
people on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit.
Examples of such discrimination include racial, religious or gender-based
discrimination. Distinctions between people which are based just on individual merit
(such as personal achievements, skill or ability) are generally not considered
socially discriminatory. Therefore, seniority alone cannot be the deciding factor in
the promotion, if the senior person is not fit for the job.
(ii) INCORRECT : It is a known fact that most of the compromises we make in the start
are small however, these lead us to large problems. Therefore, Companies need
to develop an environment where small ethical lapse are taken seriously so that
these do not repeated in future, otherwise toleration of such small lapses could lead
to larger problems. Thus ignoring small unethical issues may result into unethical
behaviour.
(d) A sustainable innovation organisation should have:
(i) Vision and strategy for innovation.
(ii) Culture supporting innovation
(iii) Processes, practices and systems supporting innovation
(iv) Top management team leading to innovation.
(v) Effective cross-financial teams.
(vi) Empowered employees driving innovation.
(vii) Finding the right balance between bureaucracy and chaos.
Question 2
(a) (i) An employee was drawing a salary of Rs. 9,000 per month. He joined his service
on January 22nd, 2013 and remained absent from February 10th, 2013 till April 7th,
2013 due to temporary disablement caused by an accident arising out of an in due
course of his employment, Examine with reference to the Payment of Bonus Act,
1965, whether he is eligible for bonus for the year 2012-2013. (4 Marks)
(ii) Mr. X was serving in Popular Company Limited. After serving for four years X met
with an accident and became permanently disabled. X applied to the company for
the payment of gratuity. The company refused to pay the gratuity on the ground
that X has served only for four years. Decide, whether the contention of the
company is valid? (4 Marks)
(b) What is meant by ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ (CSR)? How corporate social
responsibility helps in enhancing the brand image and reputation of a business
organization? (4 Marks)
(c) State the major advantages of formal communication (4 Marks)
Answer
(a) (i) In accordance with the provisions of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965, as contained
in Section 2(13), read with Sec. 8 and Sec. 14, every employee of an establishment
covered under the Act is entitled to bonus from his employer in an accounting year
provided he has worked in that establishment for not less than 30 working days in
the year on a salary of less than Rs. 10,000 per month. Under Section 14 of the
Act, the days when an employee has been absent due to temporary disablement
caused by an accident arising out of and in the course of his employment will be
included in calculating the total working days for the purpose of payment of bonus.
In the instant case, the salary is falling within the limit as prescribed under the Act.
His accident-leave- period shall also be treated as working days for the purpose.
Therefore, in the given case since the salary is falling within the limit (i.e. not
exceeding Rs. 10,000 per month), the employee is eligible for bonus for the year
2012-2013. The leave period will be treated as working days (i.e. more than 30
working days).
Ref: Section 2(13) read with Sec. 8 and Sec. 14 of the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965.
(ii) In accordance with the provisions of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, as
contained in Section 4(1), Gratuity shall be payable to an employee on the
termination of his employment after he has rendered continuous service for not less
than 5 years, on his superannuation, or on his retirement or resignation, or on his
death or disablement due to accident or disease. The condition of the completion of
5 years continuous service is not essential in case of the termination of employment
of any employee due to death or disablement. Disablement means such
(b) “The principle of integrity is a fundamental principle relating to ethics for all accounting
and finance professionals.” Explain. (4 Marks)
(c) Describe the main characteristics of “Groups” in a business organisation. (4 Marks)
Answer
(a) DISCHARGE OF A CONTRACT
A contract under the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872 may be discharged in
any of the following ways :
(1) DISCHARGE BY PERFORMANCE: Discharge by performance will take place when
there is :
(i) Actual performance (parties fulfilling obligations within time and in the manner
prescribed), or
(ii) Attempted performance (promisor offers to perform but promise refuses to
accept it). This is known as tender.
(2) DISCHARGE BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT : Discharge also takes place where there
is substitution (novation), rescission, alteration and remission. In all these cases
old contract need not be performed.
(3) DISCHARGE BY IMPOSSIBILITY OF PERFORMANCE : A situation of
impossibility may have existed at the time of entering into the contract or it may
have transpired subsequently (also known as supervening impossibility). Situations
are destruction of the subject matter, incapacity, declaration of war, etc.
(4) DISCHARGE BY LAPSE OF TIME : Performance of contract has to be done within
certain prescribed time. In other words it should be performed before it is barred by
law of limitation. In such a case there is no remedy for the promise. For example
where the debt is barred by law of limitation.
(5) DISCHARFGE BY OPERATION OF LAW: Where the promisor dies or goes
insolvent there is a discharge of contract by operation of law.
(6) DISCHARGE BY BREACH OF CONTRACT : Where there is a default by one party
from performing his part of contract on due date then there is breach of contract.
Breach of contract can be actual breach or anticipatory breach. Where a person
repudiates a contract before the stipulated due date, it is anticipatory breach.
(7) DISCHARGE BY REMISSION OR SATISFACTION: A promisee may remit the
performance of the promise by the promisor. Here there is a discharge. Similarly
the promise may accept some other satisfaction. Then again there is a discharge
on the ground of accord and satisfaction.
(8) Under the provisions of the Indian Contract Act, 1872, as contained in Section 67,
when a promise neglects or refuses to afford the promisor reasonable facilities or
opportunities for performance, promisor is excused by such neglect or refusal.
(b) The principle of integrity calls upon all accounting and finance professionals to adhere to
honesty and state-forwardness while discharging their respective professional duties.
The integrity principles calls upon the professionals to fulfil the follow acts :
(i) Avoid being involved in activities which would impair the goodwill of the
organization.
(ii) Communicate adverse as well as favourable information with these concerned.
(iii) Refuse any gift or favour which could influence action taken or to be taken.
(iv) Refuse to get involved in any activity which would adversely affect the
achievements of an organization’s objectives.
(v) Avoid conflicts and advise related parties on apparent conflicts which could arise in
the future.
(c) Following are the features of ‘’Group” in an organization :
(1) Group goals- every group establishes its own group goals, which provide motivation
for their existence.
(2) Group structure- is based on the roles to be performed and member positions.
(3) Group Pattern of communication- is the pattern of message flow in a group.
(4) Group norms- are the informed rules of interaction in a group.
(5) Group climate- is the emotional atmosphere of a group based on :
(i) Bonding and trust among members.
(ii) Participating spirit
(iii) Openness
(iv) High performance goals.
Question 4
(a) Whether a company can buy-back its own shares? Discuss the legal provisions as
regards to the conditions for buy-back contained in the Companies Act, 1956. (8 Marks)
(b) Describe the seven social sins listed by Mahatma Gandhi. (4 Marks)
(c) The statutory meeting of ABC Limited was held on 20th January, 2012 at the registered
office at New Delhi. Draft the minutes of the statutory meeting of the shareholders of the
company. (4 Marks)
Answer
(a) The provisions of the Companies Act, 1956 provide for a company to purchase its own
shares or other specified securities subject to certain conditions and regulations.
(vii) Worship without sacrifice- worship has no value without sacrifice, it is a sin to
worship without sacrifice..
(c) MINUTES OF THE STATUTORY MEETING :
Minutes of the proceedings of the statutory meeting ABC Limited held on 20 th
January,2012 at 11.00 A.M. at the Registered Office of the company at New Delhi.
Members present were :
MR. A CHAIRMAN
MR. B DIRECTOR
MR. C DIRECTOR
MR. D DIRECTOR
MR. E SECRETARY
AND 120 MEMBERS AND 30 PROXIES.
The Secretary read the notice convening the meeting.
The Chairman welcomed the members and reviewed the activities of the company since
its incorporation.
The Chairman informed the members that a list of members of the company has been
placed on the table for inspection of members.
With the permission of the members, the Chairman read the Statutory Report. It was
moved that the Statutory Report sent to members with the notice of the meeting be
approved. Accordingly, it was resolved that the Statutory Report be and is hereby
approved.
All the pre-incorporation and provisional contracts were approved by the members of the
company.
The meeting was ended with a vote of thanks by the members and Chairman declared
the meeting closed.
(4 Marks)
Answer
(a) DISHONOUR OF CHEQUE- GROUNDS- A banker will be justified or bound to dishonour
a cheque in the following cases , viz. :
1. If a cheque is undated .
2. If the cheque is stale,
3. If the instrument is inchoate or not free from reasonable doubt.
4. If the cheque is post-dated and presented for payment before its ostensible date.
5. If the customer’s funds in the banker’s hands are not ‘properly applicable’ to the
payment of cheque drawn by the former.
6. If the customer has credit with one branch of a bank and he draws a cheque upon
another branch of the same bank in which either he has account or his account is
overdrawn.
7. If the bankers receive notice of customer’s insolvency or lunacy.
(i) If the customer countermands the payment of cheque for the banker’s duly and
authority to pay a cheque ceases.
(ii) If a garnishee or other legal order from the Court attaching or otherwise
dealing with the money in the hand of the banker, is served on the banker.
(iii) If the authority of the banker to honour a cheque of his customer is
undermined by the notice of the latter’s death.
(iv) If notice in respect of closure of the account is served by either party on the
other.
(v) If it contains material alterations, irregular signature or irregular endorsement.
(b) SHELF PROSPECTUS:
According to Section 60-A as inserted by the Companies (Amendment) Act, 2000 ‘Shelf
Prospectus’ means a prospectus issued by any financial institution or bank for one or
more issues of the securities or class of securities specified in that prospectus. The main
provisions relating to shelf prospectus are :
1. Any public financial institution, a public sector bank or scheduled bank whose main
object is financing, shall file a shelf prospectus with the Registrar of companies.
2. A company filing a shelf prospectus with the Registrar shall not be required to file
prospectus afresh at every stage of offer of securities by it within a period of validity
of such shelf prospectus. It shall be required to file an information memorandum.
On all material facts relating to new charges created, changes in the financial
position as have occurred between the first offer of securities, previous offer of
securities and the succeeding offer of securities within the time prescribed by the
Central Government prior to making of a second or subsequent offer of securities
under the shelf prospectus.
3. An information memorandum shall be issued to the public along with shelf
prospectus filed at the stage of the first offer of securities and such prospectus shall
be valid for a period of one year from the date of opening of the first issue of
securities under that prospectus.
4. Where an update of information memorandum is filed every time an offer of
securities is made, such memorandum together with the shelf prospectus shall
constitute the prospectus.
(c) PARAMETERS UNDER COMPETITION LAW IN INDIA:
1. PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS, which are considered to be anti-
competitive in nature. Such agreements namely tie in arrangements, exclusive
dealings (supply and distribution), refusal to deal and resale price maintenance shall
be presumed as anti-competitive if they cause or likely to cause an appreciable
adverse effect on competition within India.
2. ABUSE OF DOMINANT POSITION by imposing unfair or discriminatory conditions
or limiting and restricting production of goods or service or indulging in practices
resulting in denial of market excess or through in any other mode.
3. REGULATION OF COMBINATIONS: The Act regulates the combinations which
cause or likely to cause an appreciable adverse affect on competition within the
relevant market in India. Such combinations are considered void under the Act.
Question 6
(a) What is the importance of registered office of a company? State the procedure for
shifting the registered office of a company from one State to another State contained in
the Companies Act, 1956. (8 Marks)
(b) Your company has achieved extraordinary performance during the year 2012-13 in the
field of ‘Healthcare’ by winning an export promotion award for exceeding the target of
exports by 20%, launched 10 new life saving drugs and increases net profit by 30%.
Draft a ‘Press Release’ incorporating all these details. (4 Marks)
(c) State whether the following statements are correct or incorrect: (4 Marks)
(i) Agency cannot be created without consideration.
(ii) In contract of guarantee there are three contracts.
(iii) Memorandum of Association is the Charter of the company.
(iv) A special resolution is one to pass, where the votes cast in favour must be twice the
votes cast against it.
Answer
(a) IMPORTANCE OF REGISTERED OFFICE OF A COMPANY :
1. Every company must have registered office where :
(a) Necessary documents may be served upon or deposited,
(b) Notices, letters, etc. may be issued,
(c) Inspection may be had, and
(d) Communication may be made.
The domicile and the nationality of a company is determined by the place of its
registered office. This is also important for determining the jurisdiction of the Court.
2. A company must have a registered office as from the day on which it commences
business, or as from the 30th day after the date of its incorporation whichever is
earlier,
3. Notice of the situation of the registered office and of every change therein must be
sent to the Registrar (otherwise than through a statement as to the address of the
registered office in the annual report) within 30 days of the date of incorporation of
the date of change.
PROCEDURE FOR SHIFTING THE REGISTERED OFFICE FROM ONE STATE TO
ANOTHER STATE:(Section 17: Companies Act, 1956):
A company may shift its registered office from one State to another State by following the
provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, which are as follows:
1. Resolution of the Board of Directors- this is the first step towards shifting of
registered office from one State to another State.
2. The Company may by a special resolution, alter the provisions of its memorandum
so as to shift the place of its registered office from one state to another state.
3. The change needs confirmation of the Company Law Board- The change shall not
take effect unless and until it is confirmed by the CLB on a petition filed by the
company.
4. Notice to affected parties: Before confirming the change, the CLB shall ensure that
sufficient notice has been given to every person whose interest will be affected by
the change and that the consent of creditors of the company has been obtained or
their debts or claims have been discharged or secured.
5. The company cannot do such change/shifting of registered office unless the
Regional Director confirms it.
6. To obtain confirmation, the company has to apply in the prescribed form.
7. The confirmation must be communicated to the company within 4 weeks from the
date of receipt of the application.
8. The CLB shall cause notice of the petition for confirmation of the change to be
served on the Registrar. The Registrar shall also be given a reasonable opportunity
to appear before the CLB and state his objections and suggestions, if any, with
respect to the confirmation of the alteration. Certified copy of the confirmation along
with the attested copy of the Memorandum of Association must be filed with the
ROC for registration within 3 months from the date of confirmation.
9. Within one month of filing, the ROC shall certify registration, which shall be the
conclusive evidence that all the requirements with respect to alteration and
confirmation have been complied with.
(b) PRESS RELEASE :
HEALTHCARE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIED LTD.
ANOTHER YEAR OF STARLING PERFORMANCE
Press Note......./2013. Dated.........
Place.........
Healthcare Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., the most trusted brand, turned out another
startling performance during the year 2012-2013 exceeding all its previous achievements
and touching new heights of growth.
- The export of the company registered a healthy growth of 22% over the previous
year and won export promotion award.
- It launched 10 new life saving drugs including 2 very effective drugs against heart
failure and liver disorders, developed by its own R & D Department.
- The net profit of the company went up by 30%.
The company is now looking forward to the year 2013-14 for making new grounds and
breaking all its previous records.
Question 7
Answer any four of the following
(a) State the establishments which are exempted from the operations of Employees
Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. (4 Marks)
(b) Distinguish between pre-incorporation contracts and provisional-contracts under the
Companies Act, 1956. (4 Marks)
(c) A, a shareholder, of a company, appointed B, as a proxy, to attend the general meeting
of the shareholders. Later on, a, himself, attended the meeting and voted on a
resolution. Decide, whether A can do So? (4 Marks)
(d) ‘Communication is the life blood of a business organization.” In this reference state the
factors which have increased the importance of communication in the present business
world. (4 Marks)
(e) Describe any four benefits which may be obtained by paying attention to business ethics.(4 Marks)
Answer
(a) The EPF & MP Act, 1952 does not apply to : (Sec. 16 )
1. Any establishment registered under Co-operative Societies Act, 1912, or under any
other law relating to co-operative societies in any state, employing less than 50
persons and working without the aid of power; or
2. Any other establishment belonging to or under the control of the Central
Government or a State Government and whose employees are entitled to the
benefit of contributory provident fund or old age pension in accordance with any
scheme or rule framed by the Central Government or the Statement Government
governing such benefits; or
3. Any other establishment set up under any Central, Provincial or State Act and
whose employees are entitled to the benefits of contributory provident fund or old
age pension in accordance with any scheme or rule framed under the Act governing
such benefits; or
4. Any other establishment exempted by the Central Government through notification
in the Official Gazette after taking into consideration the financial position of the
establishment or other circumstances of the case, and any newly set up
establishment, until the expiry of 3 years from the date on which the establishment
is, or has been set up.
(b) Following are the points are distinction between Pre-incorporation contracts and
Provisional-contracts:
(i) MEANING: Pre-incorporation contracts are those contracts, which are entered into,
by the persons proposing to float a company for prospective company before it has
come into existence. Contracts which are entered into by a company after obtaining
the certificate of incorporation but before getting the certificate to commence
business are known as provisional contracts.
(ii) LIABILITIES: The company which is not in existence, is not bound by the pre-
incorporation contracts unless the company adopts the same after incorporation.
There can be no ratification in case of pre-incorporation contracts. Provisional
contracts are the contracts entered into by a company after its incorporation and
before the company is entitled to commence business. These contracts shall be
binding upon the company from the date on which the company is entitled to
commence business.
(iii) ENFORCEMENT: Contracts entered into by a company after its incorporation and
before it is entitled to commence business are provisional only and are not binding
on the company until the trading certificate is issued. (Sec. 149(4): Companies Act,
1956. The expressional “provisional” denotes that the contract should be read
subject to an implied term that it shall not be binding until the company becomes
entitled to commence business and has obtained a certificate to commence
business. Consequently, should the company go into liquidation without
commencing business, such contracts cannot be enforced at all.
(c) A proxy is a person, being a representative of a shareholder, is authorised to attend the
meetings of the shareholder of a company. Such proxy is entitled to vote. But as per the
provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, a shareholder who has appointed a proxy, has
paramount right to revoke the proxy’s authority by attending and voting himself at the
meeting. The shareholder’s attending the meeting and voting thereat leads to revocation
of the proxy.
Therefore, in the present case although A has appointed B as a proxy to attend the
meeting of the shareholders of a company and vote there at, he (A) has right to revoke
the proxy by attending himself the meeting of the shareholders and may vote thereat on a
resolution. Therefore, A is very much within his right to revoke the proxy and caste vote
in the meeting.
(d) Undoubtedly, communication is so fundamental that without it no organisation can exist
and function effectively towards achieving its objects. It helps to bind the employees
together, enabling them to react to an influence each other. No manager can effectively
work unless he is able to communicate. It is, therefore, apt to call communication the ‘life
blood of an organisation’.
Following factors have increased its importance :
1. Growth in the size and multiple locations of organization: Most of the organisation
are growing larger and larger in size. The people working in these organisation are
spread over in different countries. Keeping in touch, sending directions across and
getting feedback is possible only when communication lines are kept working
effectively.
2. Growth of trade unions: Over the last so many decades trade unions are growing
and becoming strong. No management can be successful without taking the trade
unions into confidence. Effective communication will create relationship between
management and the workers.
3. Growing importance of human relations: Workers in an organisation are not like a
machine. They have their hopes and aspirations. Communication helps in
integration and in maintaining human being relationships. This may only be
achieved through effective communication.
4. Public relations: Every organisation has social responsibility, towards customers,
Government, suppliers and the public at large. Communication with them is only
way an organisation can project a positive image itself.
5. Advancement in behavioural science: Modern management is deeply influenced by
existing discoveries made in behavioural science like psychology, sociology etc. All
these throw light on subtle aspects of human nature and help in developing a
positive attitude towards life and building up meaningful relationships. This is only
possible through communication.
6. Technological advancement: The world is changing fast owing to scientific and
technological advancements. These affect deeply to the methods of work and the
composition of groups. In such situation proper communication between superiors
and subordinates becomes necessary.
(e) 1. IMPROVED SOCIETY: In the recent past ruthless exploitation of children and
workers, trust control over the market, termination of employees based on
personalities and other factors had affected society and a demand arose to place a
high value on ethics, fairness and equal rights resulting in framing of anti-trust laws,
establishment of governmental agencies and recognition of labour unions.
2. EASIER CHANGE MANAGEMENT: Attention to business ethics is also critical
during times of fundamental change. The apparent dilemma may be whether to be
non profit or for profit. In such situations often there is no clear moral compass to
guide leaders about what is right or wrong. Continuing attention to ethics in the
workplace sensitizes leaders and staff for maintaining consistency in their actions.
3. STRONG TEAM WORK AND GREATER PRODUCTIVITY: Strong team work and
greater productivity : Ongoing attention and dialogues regarding ethical values in
the workplace builds openness, integrity and a sense of community which leads to,
among the employees, a strong alignment between their values and those of the
organization resulting in strong motivation and better performance.