Your Directors have the pleasure of presenting their 53rd Annual Report together with Audited Financial Statements for the financial year ended 31st March, 2025.
1. Financial Results
(H in Crores)
Particulars
|
2024-25
|
2023-24
|
Net sales
|
2137.34
|
2,379.82
|
Other operating income
|
15.37
|
15.08
|
Total income from operations (Net)
|
2152.71
|
2,394.90
|
Other income
|
126.68
|
141.67
|
Total income
|
2279.39
|
2,536.57
|
Profit before finance cost, depreciation and amortization
|
387.56
|
525.63
|
Finance cost
|
39.20
|
35.74
|
Profit before depreciation and amortization
|
348.36
|
489.89
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
200.54
|
174.65
|
Profit/(Loss) before tax
|
147.82
|
315.24
|
Provision for taxation:
|
|
|
Current tax
|
48.42
|
74.58
|
Deferred tax
|
(1.91)
|
9.12
|
Net Profit/(Loss) for the period
|
101.31
|
231.54
|
EPS (Basic) (D)
|
5.25
|
12.00
|
Note: No amount transferred to reserves.
2. Overall Performance
The Company recorded net sales of H2137.34 Crore during the financial year 2024-25 as compared to H2,379.82 Crore in the previous financial year. The Net Profit during the financial year 2024-25 was H101.31 Crore as compared to a net profit of H231.54 Crore in financial year 2023-24 translating to Basic Earnings Per Share at H5.25 for the financial year 2024-25 as against H12.00 in financial year 2023-24.
3. State of Company's Affairs
The analytical review of the Company's performance and its businesses, including initiatives in the areas of
Human Resources and Corporate Social Responsibility have been presented in the section of Management Discussion and Analysis of this Annual Report.
Electrode Sector
According to data from the World Steel Association, total global steel production remained largely unchanged in CY 2024 compared to CY2023, at 1,882.6 mmt versus 1,897.9 mmt, indicating no significant year-on-year growth.
Steel production outside of China was recorded at approximately 877.5 mmt in CY2024, broadly in line with 875.4 mmt in CY2023.
China's steel production declined by 1.7% to 1,005.1 mmt in 2024 from 1,022.5 mmt in 2023, primarily due to sustained weak domestic demand.
Owing to this, Chinese steel exports increased significantly to 110.7 mmt in 2024, up from 90.3 mmt in 2023 and 67 mmt in 2022, thereby intensifying competitive pressures on global steel producers.
Among major steel-producing regions, the United States registered a 2.4% decline in production, totalling 79.5 mmt in 2024 compared to 81.4 mmt in 2023.
India, now firmly established as the world's second-largest steel producer, reported a 6.3% increase in production, reaching 149.6 mmt in 2024, supported by robust domestic demand—particularly from the infrastructure and real estate sectors. It is noteworthy that in India, steel production is predominantly conducted via the blast furnace route, with a substantial portion also produced through induction furnaces, which do not fall within our customer base.
Owing to subdued industrial and manufacturing activity, steel prices remained under pressure across most key consuming markets throughout the year.
Despite ongoing pricing pressures on graphite electrode demand, the Company operated at a utilization rate of 77% in 2024-25, the highest among all western graphite electrode manufacturers.
Needle coke prices remained stable during the year and expected to remain at similar level for the first half of 2025-26.
While short-term prospects for graphite electrodes remain muted—primarily due to geopolitical uncertainties impacting industrial activity in developed markets—the long-term outlook remains positive, driven by the global shift toward EAF-based steelmaking.
To date, more than 100 mmt of new greenfield EAF capacity has been announced globally. Of this, approximately 11 mmt is operational, and an additional 54 mmt is expected to come online between 2025 and 2027.
We anticipate that graphite electrode demand will gradually increase by 190,000-200,000 mt by 2030, representing a significant rise over the current Ultra High Power (UHP) demand (ex-China) of approximately 500,000-600,000 mt.
We remain among the most cost-competitive and high-quality producers of graphite electrodes globally. With our extensive customer base, we are fully prepared to capture emerging opportunities.
Power Generation
The Company has captive power generation capacity of 86 MW (comprising two thermal power plants and a hydroelectric power facility).
The thermal plants remained closed for most of the year 2024-25 due to un-economical price of coal generated power.
Company currently buys its power needs from MP state electricity board and hydro power generated is sold in the market through IEX and bipartite power purchase agreement with open access to consumers.
The turnover of the Power Segment marginally decreased to H32.66 crore in FY 2024-25 from H33.83 crore in FY 2023-24.
4. Change in Share Capital
During the FY 2024-25, pursuant to the approval of Shareholders through Postal Ballot on September 20, 2024, the Authorized Share Capital of the Company stood sub-divided/ split as per below details:
Authorized Share Capital before sub-division/split: H70,00,00,000 (Rupees Seventy Crores) divided into:
(a) 5,50,00,000 (Five Crore Fifty Lac) Equity Shares of H10/- (Rs. Ten) each, and
(b) 15,00,000 (Fifteen Lac) Preference Shares of H100/- (Rs. One hundred) each.
Authorized Share Capital after sub-division/split: H70,00,00,000 (Rupees Seventy Crores) divided into:
(a) 27,50,00,000 (Twenty Seven Crores Fifty Lakhs) Equity Shares of H2/- (Rs. Two) each, and
(b) 15,00,000 (Fifteen Lakhs) Preference Shares of H100/- (Rs. One Hundred) each.
During the year under review, the Issued, Subscribed and Paid-up Equity Share Capital of your Company was re-organized from H38,59,55,060/-(Rupees Thirty Eight Crore Fifty Nine Lakhs Fifty Five Thousand and Sixty Only) divided into 3,85,95,506 (Three Crore Eighty Five Lakhs Ninety Five Thousand Five hundred and Six Only) Equity Shares of Face Value of H10/- (Rupees Ten Only) each to H38,59,55,060/-(Rupees Thirty Eight Crore Fifty Nine Lakhs Fifty Five Thousand and Sixty Only) divided into 19,29,77,530 (Nineteen
Crore Twenty Nine Lakh Seventy Seven Thousand Five Hundred Thirty) Equity Shares of Face Value of H2/- (Rupees Two Only) each due to sub-division/split of 1 (One) Equity Share of the Company of the face value of H10/- (Rupees Ten Only) each fully paid into 5 (Five) Equity Shares of the Company of face value of H2/- (Rupee Two Only) each fully paid up.
5. Material Changes and Commitments
No material changes and commitments affecting the financial position of the Company have occurred between the end of the financial year of the Company to which the financial statements relate and the date of the report.
6. Change in the Nature of Business
There is no change in the nature of business during the financial year 2024-25.
7. Significant Developments
The Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on 22 May 2024 had approved the Composite Scheme of Arrangement amongst HEG Limited ("the Company") and HEG Graphite Limited ("Resulting Company") and Bhilwara Energy Limited ("Transferor Company") and their respective shareholders and creditors ("Scheme").
The proposed Scheme inter alia provides for:
(a) the demerger of the Demerged Undertaking (i.e. Graphite Business) from the Company into the Resulting Company on a going concern basis and issue of equity shares by the Resulting Company to the shareholders of the Company in consideration thereof, and
(b) amalgamation of the Transferor Company with the Company and issue of equity shares by the Company to the shareholders of the Transferor Company (except the Company itself) in consideration thereof. The Appointed Date for the Scheme is 1st April 2024.
Thereafter, the Company had filed the requisite application with the stock exchanges (viz. BSE Limited and National Stock Exchange of India Limited) under Regulation 37 of the listing Regulations ("Regulation 37 Application").
Taking into consideration the business needs, the board of directors of the Transferor Company vide its resolution dated 10 March 2025 has approved the execution of definitive agreements in connection with the issue of further shares to proposed investors.
In view of the aforesaid, the companies involved in the Scheme have modified the Scheme basis SEBI's observation, after taking into account, inter alia, the updated valuation reports issued by the registered valuer and fairness opinion issued by the merchant banker on the modified scheme.
The Company has thereafter filed fresh Regulation 37 application with the stock exchanges in relation to the modified Scheme. The Scheme is, inter alia, subject to receipt of approval from the statutory and regulatory authorities, including BSE Limited, National Stock Exchange of India Limited, jurisdictional National Company Law Tribunal and the shareholders and creditors (as applicable) of the Companies involved in the Scheme.
Pending receipt of final approvals, no adjustments have been made in the financial results for the year ended 31st March 2025.
8. Subsidiary, Associate Companies or Joint Ventures
a) Subsidiary Company
The Company has the following 3 (Three) Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (WOS):
i. TACC Limited
TACC Limited had no business operations during the financial year 2024-25 and Net Loss was H0.21 Crore.
ii. HEG Graphite Limited
HEG Graphite Limited had no business operations during the financial year 2024-25 and Net Loss was H0.04 Crore.
iii. Bhilwara Infotechnology Limited
Bhilwara Infotechnology Limited had a consolidated turnover (Revenue from Operations) of H25.37 crore and Profit after Tax was H0.87 crore as per their audited consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended 31st March, 2025.
In terms of provisions of Section 136(1) of the Companies Act, 2013, the audited financial statements of TACC Limited, HEG Graphite Limited and Bhilwara Infotechnology Limited WOS of HEG Limited, have been placed on the website of the Company and are not being annexed in this Annual Report.
The financial statements of the subsidiary companies are kept for inspection by the shareholders at the registered office of the
Company. The Company shall provide, the copy of the financial statements of its subsidiary companies to the shareholders free of cost upon their request.
The Managing Director of the Company does not receive any remuneration or commission from its subsidiary except the sitting fee.
b) Associate Companies or Joint Ventures
There is One Associate of the Company namely Bhilwara Energy Limited.
Bhilwara Energy Limited had a consolidated turnover (Revenue from Operations) of H577.71 crore and Net Profit (attributable to owners of the parent) was H32.18 crore as per their audited consolidated financial statements for the financial year ended 31st March, 2025.
The Company has no Joint Ventures.
During the FY 2024-25, Bhilwara Infotechnology Limited ("BIL") an associate company have become the Wholly Owned Subsidiary Company pursuant to purchase of the remaining shares of BIL by the Company from the existing shareholders of BIL.
No Company has become/ceased to be Joint Venture during the financial year 2024-25.
Performance of Associate Company & Subsidiary Companies and their contribution to overall performance of the Company has been mentioned in the Notes to Accounts to the consolidated financial statements.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 129(3) of the Companies Act, 2013, a statement containing the salient features of financial statements of subsidiary and associate companies is annexed in the Form AOC-1 to the consolidated financial statements and hence not repeated here for the sake of brevity.
9. Consolidated Financial Statements
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with applicable provisions of the Companies Act, 2013, Accounting Standards and SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The audited consolidated financial statements together with Auditors' Report form part of the Annual Report. The Auditor's Report does not contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remarks.
10. Dividend
Your Directors are pleased to recommend a final dividend at the rate of H1.80/- per equity share on
19,29,77,530 equity shares of face value of H2 each for the financial year ended 31st March, 2025 subject to the approval of the Shareholders at the ensuing 53rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company. The dividend, if declared by the Shareholders in the AGM will be subject to deduction of tax at source at applicable rates.
As per Regulation 43A of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the Dividend Distribution Policy is attached as Annexure-IV, which form part of this report and is also available on the website of the Company.
11. Corporate Governance
A report on Corporate Governance forms part of this Report along with the Auditors' Certificate on Corporate Governance as required under SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The Auditors' Certificate for the financial year 2024-25 does not contain any qualifications, reservations or adverse remarks.
12. Management Discussion and Analysis
Management Discussion and Analysis Report as required under the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 forms part of the Annual Report.
13. Business Responsibility & Sustainability Report (BRSR)
As per Regulation 34 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, a Business Responsibility & Sustainability Report describing the initiatives taken by the Company from an environmental, social and governance perspective is attached as part of the Annual Report.
14. Internal Control / Internal Financial Control Systems and Adequacy Thereof
The Company has an adequate internal control system commensurate with the size and nature of its business. An internal audit programme covers various activities and periodical reports are submitted to the top management. The Company has a well-defined organisational structure, authority levels and internal rules and guidelines for conducting business transactions.
Further, the Internal Financial Control framework is under consistent supervision of Audit Committee, Board of Directors and also Independent Statutory Auditors. During the year, no reportable material weakness in the design or operations was observed.
15. Personnel
a) Industrial relations
The industrial relations during the period under review generally remained cordial at all the plants of the Company.
b) Particulars of employees
The information required pursuant to Section 197 read with Rule 5 of the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014, is annexed herewith as Annexure-I.
16. Public Deposits
Your Company has not invited any deposits from public/ shareholders in accordance with Chapter V of the Companies Act, 2013.
17. Significant and Material Orders Passed By the Regulators or Courts or Tribunals
There were no significant material orders passed by the Regulators/Courts/Tribunals during the financial year 2024-25 which would impact the going concern status of the Company and its future operations.
18. Conservation Of Energy, Technology Absorption, Foreign Exchange Earnings and Outgo
The information with regard to Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption, Foreign Exchange Earnings and Outgo in accordance with the provisions of Section 134(3)(m) of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 8 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014, is given as Annexure-II forming part of this Report.
19. Directors and Key Managerial Personnel i. DIRECTORS
(a) Appointment/ Cessation
Dr. Nand Gopal Khaitan (DIN: 00020588), Shri Sandip Somany (DIN: 00053597) and Shri Priya Shankar Dasgupta (DIN: 00012552) were appointed as Independent Directors by the Shareholders through Postal Ballot on September 20, 2024 for a period of first term of five consecutive years w.e.f. August 13, 2024 till August 12, 2029 (both days inclusive).
Shri Manish Gulati (DIN:08697512) was re-appointed by the shareholders as Whole Time Director designated as Executive Director, liable to retire by rotation in terms of Sections 152 of the Act, through Postal Ballot on December 27, 2024 for a period of five years with effect from March 1,2025 to February 28, 2030. Shri Manish
Gulati, will continue to act as Key Managerial Personnel of the Company in terms of Section 2(51) of the Companies Act, 2013 and rules thereto.
Shri Jayant Davar (DIN: 00100801) was re¬ appointed as an Independent Director in 52nd AGM held on 7th August, 2024 for the second term of five consecutive years with effect from 14th August, 2024 upto 13th August, 2029.
Shri Davinder Kumar Chugh, Independent Director, resigned from the Board with effect from May 22, 2024.
Dr. Kamal Gupta has completed his second term as Independent Director on August 29, 2024. Dr. Kamal Gupta was appointed as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director w.e.f. November 14, 2024 and the Shareholders have approved the same through Postal Ballot on December 27, 2024.
(b) Retire by Rotation/Continuation of Director
Shri Riju Jhunjhunwala (DIN: 00061060) and Shri Shekhar Agarwal (DIN: 00066113) shall retire by rotation at the ensuing Annual General Meeting and being eligible, offer themselves for re-appointment. The Board hereby recommends their re-appointment for approval of shareholders in the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
Smt. Vinita Singhania (Presently Aged: 73 Years 2 Months) (DIN: 00042983), Director of the Company will attain the age of 75 years in FY 2026-2027, therefore upon the recommendation of Nomination & Remuneration Committee, the Board has recommended continuation of Smt. Vinita Singhania (DIN: 00042983) as Non-Executive Non-Independent Director subject to approval of shareholder by passing special resolution pursuant to Regulation 17(1A) of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015.
The Board confirms that independent directors appointed during the year possess the desired integrity, expertise and experience. The Independent Directors of the Company stated that they are in compliance with the Section 150 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with Rule 6 (1) & (2) of the Companies (Appointment & Qualification of Directors) Rules, 2014.
All Independent Directors have given declarations that they meet the criteria of independence as laid down under Section 149(6) of the Companies Act, 2013
and Regulation 16 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. They have also complied with the Code for Independent Directors prescribed in Schedule IV of the Companies Act, 2013.
In the opinion of Board, Independent Directors fulfil the conditions specified in the Companies Act, 2013 read with schedules and rules thereto as well as the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and Independent Directors are independent of management.
The Company has a Code of Conduct for the Directors and Senior Management Personnel. This Code is a comprehensive code applicable to all Directors and members of the Senior Management. A copy of the Code has been put on the Company's website www.hegltd.com.
The brief profile, pursuant to Regulation 36 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and Secretarial Standards-2, of the Directors eligible for appointment/re-appointment forms part of the Notice of Annual General Meeting and Corporate Governance Report.
ii. KEY MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL
The following are the Key Managerial Personnel of the Company as on 31st March, 2025:
a) Shri Ravi Jhunjhunwala, Chairman, Managing Director & CEO
b) Shri Manish Gulati, Executive Director
c) Shri Ravi Kant Tripathi, Chief Financial Officer
d) Shri Vivek Chaudhary, Company Secretary
20. Board Evaluation
The Board has carried out an annual evaluation of its own performance, the Directors individually as well as the evaluation of the working of its Committees, in the manner as enumerated in the Nomination and Remuneration Policy, in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 and the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015. The evaluation exercise covered various aspects of the Board's functioning such as composition of the Board & Committee(s), their functioning & effectiveness, contribution of all the Directors and the decision making process by the Board.
Your Directors express their satisfaction with the evaluation process and inform that the performance of the Board as a whole, its Committees and its member individually were adjudged satisfactory.
21. Nomination and Remuneration Policy
The Nomination & Remuneration Policy of the Company is in place and is attached as Annexure-III to this Report.
22. Meetings of the Board
The Board of Directors met seven times in the financial year 2024-2025 through Physical Meeting / Video Conferencing as permitted by relevant MCA circulars & SEBI Circulars read with Rule 3 of the Companies (Meetings of Board and its Powers) Rules, 2014 under provisions of the Companies Act, 2013. The intervening period between any two consecutive Board Meetings was within the maximum time gap prescribed under the Companies Act, 2013, Regulation 17 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 and SS-1 issued by ICSI. The details of the Board Meetings and the attendance of the Directors are provided in the Corporate Governance Report.
23. Contracts and Arrangements with Related Parties
The Board of Directors of the Company, acting upon the recommendation of its Audit Committee of Directors, has approved the policy and procedures with regard to Related Party Transactions for reviewing, approving and ratifying Related Party transactions and in providing disclosures with respect to the above transactions, as required under the Companies Act, 2013, SEBI (Listing Obligations Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 ("Listing Regulations") as amended from time to time and other applicable provisions, rules and regulations made thereunder.
All related party contracts/arrangements/ transactions that were entered into during the financial year were on an arm's length basis and were in the ordinary course of business.
All Related Party Transactions are placed before the Audit Committee for approval. Prior omnibus approval of the Audit Committee was obtained for the transactions which are of a foreseen and repetitive nature. The statement of transactions entered into
pursuant to the omnibus approval so granted is placed before the Audit Committee for approval on a quarterly basis. The statement is also supported by a Certificate from the Internal Auditor and Chief Financial Officer.
The updated policy on Related Party Transactions as approved by the Board is uploaded on the Company's website, the weblink of which is as under: https://hegltd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ HEG_RPT-Policy_09.02.2022.pdf
There are no pecuniary relationships or transactions of Non-Executive Directors vis-a-vis the Company that have a potential conflict with the interests of the Company.
In terms of Regulation 23 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the Company has submitted the half yearly disclosure of related party transactions to the BSE Ltd. and National Stock Exchange of India Ltd.
Since No material Related Party Transactions were entered during the financial year of the Company. Accordingly, the disclosure of Related Party Transactions as required under Section 134(3)(h) of the Companies Act, 2013 in Form AOC-2 is not applicable.
24. Committees of the Board
The Board has following statutory committees:
• Audit Committee
• Nomination and Remuneration Committee
• Stakeholders Relationship Committee
• Corporate Social Responsibility Committee and ESG Committee*
• Risk Management Committee
*Name of Corporate Social Responsibility Committee has been changed as "Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG Committee” with effect from February 11,2025.
Details of all the committees, along with their charters, composition and meetings held during the year, are provided in the Report on Corporate Governance, as part of this Annual Report.
All the recommendations of the Committees were accepted by the Board during the financial year 2024-25.
25. Auditors
M/s SCV & Co LLP having (Firm Registration No- 000235N/N500089), Chartered Accountants, the Statutory Auditors of the Company had been re¬ appointed as the Statutory Auditors for a second term of 5 consecutive years from the conclusion of 50th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 1st September, 2022 till conclusion of 55th AGM of the Company, on such remuneration as may be mutually agreed between the Board of Directors of the Company and the Statutory Auditors from time to time.
Further the Auditors have confirmed their eligibility under Section 141 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with rules made thereunder.
The Auditors' Report read along with Notes to Accounts is self-explanatory and therefore does not call for any further comments.
The Auditors' Report does not contain any qualification, reservation or adverse remark.
No fraud has been reported by the Statutory Auditors under Section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules made thereunder.
26. Cost Auditors
In terms of sub-section (1) of Section 148 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Cost Records and Audit) Rules, 2014, as amended from time to time, the Company is required to maintain the cost records. Accordingly, such accounts and records have been maintained by the Company.
The Cost Audit for financial year ended 31st March, 2024 was conducted by M/s. N.D. Birla & Co. (M. No. 7907). The said Cost Audit Report was filed on 10th September, 2024.
No fraud has been reported by the Cost Auditors under Section 143(12) of the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules made thereunder.
Based on the recommendation of Audit Committee at its meeting held on 19th May, 2025, the Board has approved the re-appointment of M/s. N.D. Birla & Co. (M. No. 7907), as the Cost Auditors of the Company for the financial year 2025-2026 on a remuneration of H3,00,000/- plus applicable taxes and out of pocket expenses that may be incurred by them during the course of audit.
As required under the Companies Act, 2013, the remuneration payable to the Cost Auditor is required to be placed before the Members in a general meeting for their ratification. Accordingly, a resolution seeking Member's ratification for the remuneration payable to M/s. N.D. Birla & Co., Cost Auditors is included in the Notice convening the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
27. Secretarial Auditor
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 204 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Appointment and Remuneration of Managerial Personnel) Rules, 2014 and Regulation 24A of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, the Company had appointed M/s. GSK & Associates, a firm of Company Secretaries in Practice to undertake the Secretarial Audit of the Company for the financial year 2024-25. The Secretarial Audit Report is annexed herewith as Annexure-V.
No fraud has been reported by the Secretarial Auditors under Section 143 (12) of the Companies Act, 2013 and the rules made thereunder.
Further, in terms of the SEBI (Listing Obligations & Disclosure Requirements) (Third Amendment) Regulation, 2024, the Board upon the recommendation of Audit Committee has recommended appointment of M/s. GSK & Associates as the Secretarial Auditors of the Company for a term of five consecutive financial years commencing from the financial year 2025-26 till the financial year 2029-30. The appointment will be subject to shareholder's approval at the ensuing AGM and therefore is included in the notice convening the ensuing Annual General Meeting.
28. Qualification, Reservation or Adverse Remark in the Audit Reports
There is no qualification, reservation or adverse remark made by the Statutory or Cost or Secretarial Auditors in their Audit Reports issued by them.
29. Business Risk Management
The objective of risk management at the Company is to protect shareholders value by minimizing threats or losses, and identifying and maximizing opportunities. An enterprise-wide risk management framework is applied so that effective management of risk is an integral part of every employee's job.
The Risk Management Policy of the Company is in place. The Company's risk management strategy is integrated with the overall business strategies of the organization and is communicated throughout the organization. Risk management capabilities aide in establishing competitive advantage and allow management to develop reasonable assurance regarding the achievement of the Company's objectives.
The annual strategic planning process provides the platform for identification, analysis, treatment and documentation of key risks. It is through this annual planning process that key risks and risk management strategies are communicated to the Board. The effectiveness of risk management strategies is monitored both formally and informally by management and process owners. There is no major risk which may threaten the existence of the Company.
The Company has duly constituted Risk Management Committee inter-alia to oversee Risk Management framework of the Company. The details pertaining to the composition, meetings and terms of reference of the Risk Management Committee are included in the Report on Corporate Governance which forms part of the Annual Report.
30. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
As part of its initiatives under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the Company has undertaken CSR projects directly and/or through implementation agencies in the areas of promotion of education, eradicating hunger & poverty, initiatives towards Community Service and Rural Development, Healthcare, Plantation & Environment Development, Protection of National heritage, Art, Culture etc. These projects were in accordance with the CSR Policy of the Company and Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013.
The Company has a policy on CSR and has constituted a CSR Committee for undertaking CSR activities. The Composition of Committees & other details are provided in the Corporate Governance Report which forms part of the Annual Report. During the year, the name of CSR Committee has been changed to Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG Committee and also new members from Board have been inducted in the Committee. Shri Manish Gulati, Executive Director will also act as Chief Sustainability Officer.
The CSR policy may be accessed on the Company's website at the link mentioned below: https://hegltd.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ amended-csr-policy.pdf
The various CSR projects inter-alia undertaken will bring qualitative changes in the lives of the community around the plant location. One of the Key project is that the Company has established first mega kitchen "Akshaya Patra" in MP- Akshaya Patra in Bhopal. The Kitchen has been serving meals to 900 schools feeding 50,000 children every day under Central and MP Government Mid Day Meal Scheme and number of meal served till today is 1.60 Crores . Another key project is the empowerment of farmers by encouraging farmers to change to fruit cropping under NGO called Global Vikas Trust in the states of MP and Maharashtra which is resulting in improvement in their income between 8 to 10 times resulting in bringing them out of poverty and higher familial and societal status. The Company also runs Graphite school at Mandideep, Bhopal, which is CBSE affiliated and run by the Trust funded by the Company and is a testament to our commitment to education and community welfare. It has a modern facility that offers a superior educational environment for approximately 1,900 students.
The Annual Report on CSR activities as required under the Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Rules, 2014 is enclosed as Annexure-VI, forming part of this report.
31. Internal Auditors
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 of the Companies Act, 2013 and based on the recommendation of Audit Committee, the Board has approved the re-appointment of M/s. S.L. Chhajed & Co. LLP, as the Internal Auditors of the Company for the financial year 2025-2026.
32. Directors Responsibility Statement The Directors confirm that:
i) In preparation of the annual accounts, the applicable accounting standards have been followed and there are no material departures from the same;
ii) They have selected such accounting policies and applied them consistently and made judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent so as to give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company at the end of the financial
year 2024-25 and of the profit of the Company for the year under review;
iii) They have taken proper and sufficient care for maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013 for safe guarding the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities;
iv) They have prepared the annual accounts on a going concern basis;
v) They have laid down internal financial controls to be followed by the Company and that such internal financial controls are adequate and are operating effectively; and
vi) They have devised proper systems to ensure compliance with the provisions of all applicable laws and that such systems are adequate and operating effectively.
33. Vigil Mechanism /Whistle Blower Policy
The Company has a vigil mechanism named "Whistle Blower Policy", which is overseen by the Audit Committee. The Policy inter-alia provides safeguards against victimization of the Whistle Blower. Employees and other stakeholders have direct access to the Chairperson of the Audit Committee for lodging concerns if any, for review. The policy is posted on the website of the Company, the web link of which is as under:
https://hegltd.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/
Whistle-Blower-Policy-08.05.2018.pdf
34. Particulars of Loans, Guarantees or Investments
Details of Loans, Guarantees and Investments covered under the provisions of Section 186 of the Companies Act, 2013 form part of the notes to the financial statements provided in the Annual Report.
35. Investor Education and Protection Fund (IEPF)
As required under Section 124 of the Companies Act, 2013 the unclaimed interim dividend amount aggregating to H80.21 Lakh lying with the Company for a period of seven years pertaining to the financial year ended on 31st March, 2018, was transferred during the Financial Year 2024-25, to the Investor Education and Protection Fund established by the Central Government. The details of same are given in Corporate Governance Report under head Shareholder Information.
36. Insider Trading
In compliance with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulations, 2015 (Regulations), your Company has adopted the following-
i) Code of Conduct for Regulating, Monitoring and Reporting of Trading by Insiders- The said Code lays down guidelines, which advise Insiders on the procedures to be followed and disclosures to be made in dealing with the shares of the Company and cautions them on consequences of non-compliances.
ii) Code of Practices and Procedures of Fair Disclosures of Unpublished Price Sensitive Information- The Code ensures fair disclosure of events and occurrences that could impact price discovery in the market.
iii) Policy for dealing with Unpublished Price Sensitive Information (UPSI) and Whistle Blower Policy for employees to report any leak or suspected leak of UPSI- The policy aims to enable the employees of the Company to report any leak or suspected leak of UPSI, procedures for inquiry in case of leak of UPSI or suspected leak of UPSI and initiate appropriate action and informing the SEBI promptly of such leaks, inquiries and results of such inquiries.
iv) Internal Control Mechanism to prevent Insider Trading- The Internal Control Mechanism is adopted to ensure compliances with the requirements given in the regulations and to prevent Insider Trading. The Audit Committee also review compliance with the provision of regulations periodically.
37. Annual Return
In terms of the Section 92 (3) of Companies Act, 2013 as amended, the Annual Return of the Company is placed on the website of the Company https://hegltd.com/annual-general-meeting
38. General Disclosure
a) The Company has maintained Cost Records in accordance with Section 148(1) of the Companies Act, 2013.
b) The Company has a group policy in place against Sexual Harassment in line with the requirements of the Sexual Harassment of Women at the Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition & Redressal) Act, 2013. Internal Complaints Committee (ICC)
has been set up to redress complaints received regarding sexual harassment. The Company has complied with the provisions of above said act. The Company has undertaken 23 workshops or awareness programmes against sexual harassment of women at the workplace. No complaint of Sexual Harassment was received during the financial year 2024-25.
c) The Company is in compliance of all applicable secretarial standards issued by The Institute of Company Secretaries of India from time to time.
d) The details of difference between amount of the valuation done at the time of one-time settlement and the valuation done while taking loan from the Banks or Financial Institutions along with the reasons thereof: Not Applicable.
e) The details of application made or any proceeding pending under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (31 of 2016) during the year along with their status as at the end of the financial year: Not Applicable.
39. Key Initiatives with respect to Stakeholder relationship, Customer relationship, Environment, Sustainability, Health and Safety
The Company has duly constituted Stakeholders Relationship Committee with broad terms of reference, the details of which is provided in the Corporate Governance Report which forms part of the Annual Report.
As a responsible corporate citizen, the Company supports the 'Green Initiative' undertaken by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India, enabling electronic delivery of documents including the Annual Report etc. to shareholders at their e-mail address registered with the Depository Participants and Registrar & Transfer Agent.
To support the 'Green Initiative' and in compliance of Rule 18 of the Companies (Management and Administration) Rules, 2014, as amended from time to time, Members who have not yet registered their email addresses or want to update a fresh email id are requested to register the same with their Depository Participant in case the shares are held by them in electronic form and with Company's Registrar & Transfer Agents (RTA) in case the shares are held by them in physical form for receiving all communications, including Annual Report, Notices, Circulars, etc., from the Company electronically.
The Company has also sent the communication to the concerned shareholders with regard to registration of their email address etc. with the Registrar and Share Transfer Agent/ Depository Participants in connection with service of documents through electronic mode.
Further, as permitted by MCA Circulars and SEBI Circulars issued from time to time, the Notice of the 53rd AGM and the Annual Report of the Company for the financial year ended 31st March, 2025 including therein the Audited Financial Statements for the year 2024-25, are being sent only by email to the Members.
The Company remained agile to emerging market opportunities by remaining connected with all its customers across the lean period. This effort allowed it to improve its capacity utilization better than most peers in this space. A higher utilization helped in better absorption of costs which improved cash flow. The Company stays in contact with its customers on a regular basis. The IT department is developing solutions for increased transparency in business operations and better connectivity with customers.
The Company is committed to protecting the environment. The R&D team works closely with some reputable research institutes to develop environment
friendly approaches for sustainable growth which involves identifying alternative/ regenerative carbon feedstock.
The Company supports the principles of inclusive growth and equitable development through not just its corporate social responsibility initiates but through its core business as well. The Company's social upliftment initiatives focus around healthcare, education, removing hunger, community development and environmental conservation, which facilitates in bettering lives and improving livelihood, amongst others.
40. Acknowledgements
Your Directors wish to place on record, their appreciation for the valuable assistance and support received by your Company from banks, financial institutions, the Central Government, the Government of Madhya Pradesh, the Government of Uttar Pradesh and their departments. The Board also thanks the employees at all levels, for the dedication, commitment and hard work put in by them. The Directors appreciate and value the contribution made by every member of the HEG family.
For and on behalf of the Board of Directors Ravi Jhunjhunwala
Date: 19th May, 2025 Chairman, Managing Director & CEO
Place: Noida (U.P.) DIN: 00060972
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