Thursday, December 29, 2016

MY FEMA SEMINAR AT MYSORE ICSI CHAPTER ON 2 DECEMBER 2016


ICSI , Mysore Chapter has organised a seminar on FEMA under the heading Compliance for Investment by NRI & Foreign Entities and Transfers on 2nd December 2016 at Mysore Chapter of ICSI.


It is really honour to receive a memonto from Mr Siva Kumar , Chairman of the ICSI -SIRC at Mysore on 2nd December 2016 at my FEMA Seminar at ICSI MysoreChapter .

I wish to thank the Mysore chapter present Chairman CS Bhansali M C, CS Ajay Madaiah B B, Mr Sunil Kumar , Mr Dhanapal and other participants who made the event as successful one.




Comments by Mr Sunil Kumar  CS , Past President of ICSI Mysore Chapter 

FEMA seminar was very useful . I never knew that lot of amendments have been implemented by RBI in FEMA. After attending the FEMA seminar at Mysore , I now understood the practical implementation on core issues under FEMA. 

Monday, September 26, 2016

FEEDBACK ON MY SEMINAR ON FEMA HELD AT CHENNAI ON 17th SEPTEMBER 2016 AT HOTEL VIJAY PARK

FEEDBACK ON MY SEMINAR ON FEMA HELD AT CHENNAI ON 17th SEPTEMBER 2016 AT HOTEL VIJAY PARK

Mrs.Ramela Rangaswamy , PCS , Coimbatore

I can see genuine effort and hard work from your side. Definitely your effort will not escape for honour at any day.I am very small in knowledge. I have gained.

You have voluntarily and individually organized the programmed. Can understand and also can see the pain in you as well as effort contributed by you to conduct the seminar with success. Expecting further programmes from you. All the best.



Mr.Rajaraman Ravichandran PCS, Chennai

Thank you very much for the PPT.

I understand from my team members that the programme was very informative, useful and lively. 


Mr.OM DAGA, ACS, CALCUTTA


Thank you for sending the presentation.

I express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for sharing your knowledge and rich experience on FEMA for the benefit of members of profession and congratulate you for conducting and organizing the seminar voluntarily and at your individual level with grand success.  

I am immensely benefitted from the deliberation and truly enriched with the shared knowledge and experience.

Thank you once again Sir and I wish you all the best for all your future endeavours.

Om Daga

N.Kumar,Finance head and CS ,Hyundai Wia Private Limited Chennai

Thanks for sharing the photos taken at the training session and also the PPT 

we look forward to new programs in future at Chennai



Mr.P V Venkataramana , Supreme Court Lawyer , New Delhi

Heartiest congratulations to Shri.R.V.Sekhar and other colleges. Right spirit. Institute should applaud such sterling efforts to disseminate post-qualification, real-life knowledge from experienced members of an esteemed profession.

Mr.R RAJESH, BANGALORE

I have attended your seminar sometime back in Mysore chapter. it is beneficial.  Wish you good luck for future too.

Mr.ALOK RUDRA, FCS , BANGALORE
Great Going Mr. RVS ... don't bow down before your critics ... use it as a tool to make yourself strong. Miles to go. 

Mrs.JayashreeChandrasekaran,,PCS ,Chennai

Dear Seckar,I am glad seminar was well attended and went off well I am sure you will achieve greater heights

Sunday, September 25, 2016

. ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERSEAS OFFICES BY INDIAN COMPANIES and Investment in overseas Joint Ventures (J/V)

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ESTABLISHMENT OF OVERSEAS 

OFFICES BY INDIAN COMPANIES


In the globalised scenario where the Companies export products and/or execute projects abroad, it is inevitable for Indian firms and companies to open offices in foreign countries. Such offices can be doing trading activities or non-trading activities such as liaison work, marketing etc. The Indian firms and companies may post a representative abroad for promotion of their business.

Such companies have to comply with the laws of the foreign country where they are opening offices. Since opening office abroad involves by an Indian company the use of foreign exchange outside India, such Indian companies have to follow procedures prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India.



The Indian companies can also participate in overseas Joint Ventures (J/V). "Joint Venture (JV)" means a foreign entity formed, registered or incorporated in accordance with the laws and regulations of the host country in which the Indian party makes a direct investment.

They can also set up wholly owned subsidiaries (WOS) abroad. "Wholly Owned Subsidiary (WOS) "means a foreign entity formed, registered or incorporated in accordance with the laws and regulations of the host country, whose entire capital is held by the Indian party.

Under automatic route the Company (Indian Party) can invest up to 400% of the net worth (paid up capital + free reserves) in the overseas JV/WOS. However if the investment is made through EEFC (Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency) Account the limit of 400% is not applicable. The investment has to be routed through normal banking channels and the same has to be reported to RBI in Form ODI in the stipulated time frame.

The approval of RBI is required in case of investment exceeding the above limit.

Note that under the automatic route there is no need to have track record in India before making the investment. That mean to say a new Company without having any past track records can make investment. But under approval route past track record is one of the criteria for RBI while considering the application. Start ups may not be in a position to get the approval of RBI.

No prior permission of Reserve Bank is required to open offices (trading or non-trading) abroad or post representatives abroad by Indian firms/companies.

The Indian firm/companies should submit applications to their bankers (authorized dealers) in form OBR along with the particulars of their turnover duly certified by their auditors and also a declaration to the effect that they have not approached/would not approach any other authorized dealer for the facility being applied for. The application form OBR needs to be filled in with necessary details along with supporting documents.  After which the foreign exchange is released by the authorized dealer (bank).


 Foreign Exchange released by the Bank

Authorized dealers may release exchange towards initial expenditure as also for recurring expenses of the office as under, provided the applicant fulfils the following conditions:

 Category
Initial Expenditure
Recurring Expenditure (per annum)

(a) EEFC Account(Exchange Earners’ Foreign Currency account)
No limit for remittances out of EEFC funds.
No limit for holders’ remittances out Of EEFC funds.

Firms/companies not having EEFC accounts or not having sufficient funds EEFC accounts.
Up to 15% of the average annual sales / income or turnover during the last two financial years or up to 25% per cent of the net worth, whichever is higher
Up to 10% of their average
 annual sales/income turnover during last two years.



In the case of newly established 100% EOUs or Units in EPZs and Hardware/Software Technology Parks, exchange may be released as per their estimated requirements for initial as well as recurring expenses on verification of suitable documentary evidence during the first two years of their operation. From third year onwards, exchange may be released as per item (a) or (b) above. Thus for first two years such units can get more foreign exchange released than the limits for other Indian companies.

The recurring (expenditure) remittance facilities are allowed initially for a period of two years only, after obtaining confirmation form the applicant that they have completed all legal and other formalities in India and abroad in connection with the opening of trading/non-trading office or for posting a representative abroad. The renewal of remittance facility after two years may be granted, provided proper accounts of utilisation of foreign exchange released are furnished to the authorized dealer.

You may note that if you are a new Company you may not be able to get the approval of Authorized Dealer to open offices aboard.

The Firstever  overseas branch office in India was the East India Company Limited of Britishers.



The general terms and conditions for opening the offices abroad normally are:

a.     The overseas office should not create any financial liabilities contingent or otherwise for the head Office in India.

b.     Exchange released by the authorized dealer should be strictly utilized for the purpose(s) for which it is released. They unused exchange may be repatriated to India under advice to the authorized dealer.

c.      The details of bank account opened in the overseas countries should be promptly reported to the authorized dealer.

d.     The approval granted for the purpose should be made valid for 6 months from the date thereof, within which time the applicant should open its overseas office or post representative abroad. In case the overseas office is not opened or the representative is not posted abroad within this period, intimation in writing to the effect should be sent to the authorized dealer immediately after expiry of 6 months period. Fresh application for release of exchange should be submitted to the authorized dealer as and when the overseas office is desired to be opened.

e.     Profits, if any, earned by the overseas office/s should be repatriated to India.

f.       The following statements should be submitted by the applicant to the authorized dealer:

A.    A statement showing details of initial expenses incurred together with suitable documentary evidence, wherever possible, within three months from the date of release of exchange for that purpose.

B.     Annual account of trading/non-trading office abroad duly certified by statutory Auditors/Chartered Accountants.

Temporary Site/Project Offices Abroad

Indian firms/companies executing contracts/projects abroad with the approval of the appropriate authority are permitted under a general permission granted by Reserve Bank to set up site/project offices abroad provided that such offices are maintained out of project receipts and remittances from India are not required. These offices are required to be closed down and surplus foreign exchange earnings repatriated to India after completion of the project.

Credit facilities for overseas trading offices of Indian companies

Reserve Bank considers, on merits, request from Export Houses/Trading Houses/Star Trading Houses/Super Star Trading Houses to avail of fund based/non-fund based facilities for their trading offices abroad from overseas banks. Application in such cases should be made to the Chief General Manager, Reserve Bank of India, Exchange Control Department (Export Division), Mumbai together with full particulars of the exchange facilities availed of for maintenance of the overseas office concerned, full details of terms and conditions subject to which the facilities are being extended by the overseas bank and the need for availing of the credit facilities by the overseas trading office.

Application for permission to post a representative in Overseas Branch Office 

Establish office/branch overseas

·         The application is to be made in form OBR to the Bank with supporting documents.
·         The estimates of foreign exchange expenditure should be given in units of foreign currency and the appropriate rupee equivalent furnishing the exchange rate applied.

Documents to be submitted along with the Form OBR

Correspondence, if any, in original together with photocopies regarding the arrangement made in foreign country for posting of representative/establishment of branch/office.

Bank certificates, in form BCX (certificate of export), together with photocopies thereof for the immediately preceding four calendar half years in support of export realizations.

Other Conditions to be followed
a) The overseas branch/office has been set up or representative is posted overseas for conducting normal business activities of the Indian entity;
b) The overseas branch/office/representative shall not enter into any contract or agreement in contravention of the Act, Rules or Regulations made there under;
c) The overseas office (trading / non-trading) / branch / representative should not create any financial liabilities, contingent or otherwise, for the head office in India and also not invest surplus funds abroad without prior approval of the Reserve Bank. Any funds rendered surplus should be repatriated to India.
(iii) The details of bank accounts opened in the overseas country should be promptly reported to the AD Bank.
(iv) AD Category – I banks may also allow remittances by a company incorporated in India having overseas offices, within the above limits for initial and recurring expenses, to acquire immovable property outside India for its business and for residential purpose of its staff.
(v) The overseas office / branch of software exporter company/firm may repatriate to India 100 per cent of the contract value of each ‘off-site’ contract.
(vi) In case of companies taking up ‘on site’ contracts, they should repatriate the profits of such ‘on site’ contracts after the completion of the said contracts.
(vii) An audited yearly statement showing receipts under ‘off-site’ and ‘on-site’ contracts undertaken by the overseas office, expenses and repatriation thereon may be sent to the AD Category – I banks.


Courtesy : CS Vivek Hegde,B.com, ACS, CWA

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Why Welspun Group Asked to pay a fine of Rs 55.25 Crores under FEMA ?

What is Compounding of Offence under FEMA?
Compounding refers to the process of voluntarily admitting to a breach, pleading guilty and seeking redressal.

Why Welspun Group Asked to pay a fine of Rs 55.25 Crores?
The $3.5 billion Welspun Group may have to pay a fine of Rs.55.25 crore to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for breaking foreign exchange rules after the group failed to comply with a compounding order from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (Fema).
The ED, the agency that investigates cases of forex violations, imposed a penalty of Rs.55.25 crore on Welspun Corp. Ltd in August 2013 for violating overseas direct investment norms pertaining to an investment in its joint venture firm Red Lebondal Ltd in Cyprus in 2008.

What is the offence committed by Welspun Group?
The group acquired shares in Red Lebondal but did not remit the money to the Cyprus firm, according to the ED.
The agency also said three Welspun Group companies in India later gave corporate guarantees to help Red Lebondal raise loans abroad for its business. However, the ED found that Red Lebondal did not have a bona fide business as the loan raised by it was sent back to India as investment in one of the Welspun group firms.
The agency has also found that Welspun Group indulged in round tripping—a form of money laundering.
Under Fema norms, Indian companies can give guarantees to foreign subsidiaries only for the business of that subsidiary.

SUE MOTTO APPROACH BY WELSPUN GROUP FOR COMPOUNDING
In October, Welspun Group approached the RBI for compounding of its contraventions under Fema. The central bank in April passed a compounding order directing Welspun Corp. to pay up Rs.40 crore within 15 days of the date of its order. However, the company has not complied with the RBI order.
The group however, is planning to appeal the ED order in an appellate tribunal.
Welspun Group Total Loan Obligations
Welspun Group has a presence in the pipes, plates, coils, steel, infrastructure, energy and home textiles sectors.
The total debt of the four listed companies of the Welspun Group was at Rs.6, 500 crore on 31 March. These companies include Welspun Corp. Ltd, Welspun India Ltd, Welspun Syntex India Ltd and Welspun Projects Ltd. The debt of Welspun Corp. is at Rs.3, 220 crore.
Whether Welspun Group will succeed in its Appeal?
There are chances for the Welspun Group to minimize its fine if the appeal is still pending. Under current scenario, Welspun group has to pay a minimum of fine under compounding of minimum of Rs 10000 + Rs 1, 00,000 per annum instead 45 Crores slapped on it for Overseas Direct Investment Violations.
However, for the alleged money –laundering or round-tripping offences, It has to substantiate that it has not contravened the provisions of the FEMA to escape prosecution and fines.
Courtesy: http://www.livemint.com/ 2014



Tuesday, August 30, 2016

Failure to report FDI inward remittance or filing of FC-GPR will have serious consequences-

Failure to report FDI inward remittance or filing of FC-GPR will have serious consequences-

The following post had been circulated by me in the google and yahoo groups during February 2010- but still holds good!
 The following case laws handled by RBI , Mumbai will vouch for the seriousness of the issue.

Case No 1:
In one case, an OCB invested in India rupees 8.5 crores (approximately) with the prior approval of FIPB. The OCB wanted to set up a power plant in Chhattisgarh. There was a condition of local participation up to 40per cent. For four years they ran from pillar to post for several Government permissions.

Neither they got Government permission nor could they find a local investor. Ultimately, they were frustrated and gave up the project. Hence they transferred the funds to a sister company where the OCB already had some investments. The Company delayed in filing intimation. The Company could not allot shares to OCB as it could not locate a local investor which was a pre-condition of FIPB approval. In the meanwhile, RBI issued Circular No. 20 dated 14.12.2007 prohibiting allotment of shares beyond 180 days of receipt of funds.

For these offenses, RBI imposed a Compounding sum of more than Rs. 3 crores! Company admits the violations of non-intimation, non-filing of forms; and step down investment. Still, such a stiff penalty for all procedural violations where there is no foreign exchange loss and nothing illegal or immoral!!!

Case No 2

“An NRI couple – husband and wife promoted a company in India and personally became the shareholders. They also floated a wholly owned company in Mauritius. The Indian company decided to take an ECB. It is permitted on “automatic basis” from the shareholder. However, instead of taking loan from the individual shareholders, the Indian company took the ECB of USD 2.3 million from the Mauritian company which was owned by the same individuals.”

“This is a perfectly normal behavior in the international investment market. For the NRIs, investment in personal name or through their own offshore company is the same.

Still, RBI objected to it on technical ground that the Mauritius Company is not the shareholder/collaborator. Parties concerned apologized and assigned the ECB from Mauritian company to the shareholders. Compounding Authority did not accept the apology, ignored the substance of the investment and imposed a Compounding Sum of Rs. 45 lakhs.” This amounts to ignoring the substance of the matter & imposing punishment on technical grounds for an offence which does no harm to anyone.

 According to critics, RBI has levied an improper and heavy fine on the erring companies.

In fact , Mumbai Chartered Accountant Association has represented the same to RBI ,Mumbai to desist from such heavy fines for simple non-filing or in case of non-intentional default.

Why I have raised the issue here is to educate and inform our fellow professionals to be more vigilant and careful in reporting to RBI.

Further , I think , if one fail to report due to inadvertence or due to lack of awareness in change of law , regional RBI always condone the delay unless it is deliberate and intentional.

Please attend one day seminar on FEMA  on 17th September , 2016 at Hotel Vijay Park, Chennai