Goods and Services Tax – GST – By: – CA.VINOD CHAURASIA – Dated:- 23-10-2017 – An easy understanding of The Insolvency & Bankruptcy code 2016 Introduction: The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (the Code ) passed by the Lok Sabha on 5th May 2016 seeks to provide a framework for time-bound settlement of insolvency by formulating a survival mechanism or by ensuring speedy liquidation through a formal insolvency resolution process ( IRP ). According to World Bank data, the average amount of time required to resolve insolvency is just over 4 years in India. The proposed law aims to increase confidence for creditors in the Indian market. The past regime The Code has amended the existing laws governing bankruptcy and liquidation in India which inter alia include the Companies Act, 2013, the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002, the Sick Industrial Companies Act, 1985 and the Recovery of Debt Due to Banks and Financial In
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ion process (IRP) of individuals and partnership firms. Any person aggrieved by the order of DRT may appeal to the Debt Recovery Appellate Tribunal (DRAT). The National Company Law Tribunal (the NCLT ) have jurisdiction over the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP) for companies and Limited Liability Partnerships. Any person aggrieved by the order of the NCLT may appeal to NCLAT within 30 days of the order. An appeal from the order of the respective appellate tribunals may be filed before the Supreme Court of India. The insolvency resolution process The Code provides for separate IRPs for individuals and companies. The insolvency resolution process can be initiated by either debtors, or creditors. Individuals In case of individuals, the Code provides for two different methods for solving disputes, namely: • a fresh start; and • insolvency resolution process (IRP). Under the fresh start process, an individual will be eligible for a debt waiver of up to INR 35000 on f
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be binding or it may reject the plan. Liquidation can be initiated, inter alia in the following cases: • on the expiry of maximum period permitted for IRP; • on rejection of the resolution plan by the adjudicating authority; or • in the event a committee of creditors decide to liquidate. If the process cannot be resolved within the 180-day period mentioned above (or as extended) the assets of the company may be sold to repay the creditors. The Code further makes provision for a fast track insolvency process for companies with smaller operations. The process will have to be completed within 90 days from the insolvency commencement date unless extended for a further period of 45 days with the approval of 75% of creditors. Liquidation In relation to corporate entities, the Code provides for an order of priority for distribution of assets during liquidation, set out in Section 53 (Distribution of assets) of Chapter III (Liquidation Process) of Part II (Insolvency Resolution
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valued transactions, the adjudicating authority may declare such transactions to be void and reverse the effect of such transactions. Penalties The Code provides penalties for offences committed by a corporate entity under corporate insolvency. Officers of the company can be penalized for not declaring assets and property owned by it or for willfully concealing any property. In such cases, the officer shall be penalized with imprisonment of up to 5 (five) years or with a fine of up to INR 1 crore or both. However, he shall not be punished if it is proved that he had no intent to defraud. The Code also penalizes individuals for offences including the provision of incorrect information and the punishment will vary based on the offence committed by an individual. For the majority of the offences, the fine is specified to be up to INR 500000 or imprisonment for up to 1 year or both. Fund The Code provides for the creation of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Fund with amounts contributed from
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onalize the processes and procedures for bankruptcy and insolvency and improve the recovery rates of debt and increase creditor confidence in India. It should hopefully go some way to address the rights of lenders to enforce security in a distress situation and bring down the rate of non-performing loans. However, it should be noted that the orders from the NCLT and the DRT could be further challenged before the respective appellate tribunals and then before the Supreme Court of India. Much work will need to be done to make the work of IPs coherent under the regulatory authority of the Board. Arguably, the penalties for not declaring assets are not stringent enough (and we assume that those penalties will fall under the amounts owed to the government in the insolvency waterfall). Generally, the provisions for appeals could prove to be a setback for the effective implementation for insolvency resolution. With avenues for appeals and disputes, it remains to be seen to what extent IPs can
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