GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS
NEW DELHI

GENERAL CIRCULAR NO

22/2014, Dated: June 25, 2014

To,

All Regional Director,
All Registrar 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.

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 years(s) commencing earlier than 1st 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 1st 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.

No.1/34/2013-CL-V (Part-I)

(KMS Narayanan)
Assistant Director (Policy)