The global COVID-19 pandemic has hit entire country and as of this writing, the number of cases is rising every day in India. Everyone is now well acquainted with the economic downturn and how COVID 19 has impacted our lives. While India and others have been working around the clock to flatten the curve, corporates and business are facing different challenges during this crisis—some are reaching new levels of growth with new opportunity, while others are struggling to survive.

Government introduced the Companies (Amendment) Bill, 2020 (“the Bill”) in the Lok Sabha on March 17, 2020 to further amend certain provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 (“the Act”). Since the notification of the Act in 2013, it has been amended time to time by the Government including

All applicable sections of the Companies Act, 2013 related to holding general meetings (except those specific to AGM). Rules 18 to 23 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014. and any other rule as may be applicable.

This principle shall not apply to shareholders holding 2% or more shareholding, promoters, institutional investors, directors, key managerial personnel and the Chairperson of the various committees as may be applicable to the companies.

The term ‘Corporate Governance’ became a buzzword in early 2000’s due to introduction of series of legal and regulatory reforms by the Indian government to instil and to improve the level of responsibility, accountability, board practices and transparency in conduct of business by the large corporates where the public interest in involved.

In wake of worldwide outbreak of Covid-19, MCA with the right intent has issued a clarification on holding of AGM through VC or any OAVM mode via General Circular No. 20/2020.