Mergers and Amalgamations

SURABHI KATOCH

C-63

MERGERS AND AMALGAMATIONS

The Companies Act, 2013 proposes a fast track and simplified procedure for mergers and amalgamations of certain class of companies such as holding and subsidiary, and small companies. This is a welcome move. The Companies Act, 1956 does not offer a simple process for such mergers and all such restructuring have to follow a cumbersome and time consuming process as any other mergers or amalgamations. The process involves seeking approval from shareholders, creditors, Registrar of Companies and the Official Liquidator as well as a High Court.

Therefore, there was a long felt need to simplify and fast track the procedure for mergers of holding-subsidiary or companies where interest of third parties is not involved. And so, the Companies Act, 2013 has separate provisions to deal with mergers and amalgamations of holding and wholly-owned subsidiary companies, small companies and such other class of companies as the Central Government may prescribe.

According to the provisions of the Companies Act, these companies need not make an application to the National Company Law Tribunal/ High Court for finalizing mergers. As a safeguard measure, the Act provides that such mergers be approved by 90% of each class of shareholders and creditors instead of the current requirement of 75% majority. Additionally, the directors are required to file ‘Declaration of Solvency’ with the Registrar of Companies (ROC). Also required is an advance notice to ROC and Official Liquidators (OL), who may give their comments on the scheme within 30 days. The comments and concerns of ROC & OL should be addressed by companies before seeking approvals from shareholders and creditors for the scheme.

The Act also offers a second opportunity to the central government, ROC & OL to place their objections, if any, after the scheme is approved by shareholders and creditors. If there are no objections from ROC or OL, the central government shall...