Companies (Amendment) Act, 2000
140.
Insertion of new section 292A.-
After
section 292 of the principal Act, the following section shall be inserted,
namely:-
"292A.
Audit Committee.-
(1)
Every public company having paid-up capital of not less than five crores of
rupees shall constitute a committee of the Board known as Audit Committee which
shall consist of not less than three directors and such number of the directors
as the Board may determine of which two-thirds of the total number of members
shall be directors, other than managing or whole-time directors.
(2)
Every Audit Committee constituted under sub-section (1) shall act in accordance
with terms of reference to be specified in writing by the Board.
(3)
The members of the Audit Committee shall elect a chairman from amongst
themselves.
(4)
The annual report of the company shall disclose the composition of the Audit
Committee.
(5)
The auditors, the internal auditor, if any, and the director-in-charge of
finance shall attend and participate at meetings of the Audit Committee but
shall not have the right to vote.
(6)
The Audit Committee should have discussions with the auditors periodically
about internal control systems, the scope of audit including the observations
of the auditors and review the half-yearly and annual financial statements
before submission to t e Board and also ensure compliance of internal control
systems.
(7)
The Audit Committee shall have authority to investigate into any matter in
relation to the items specified in this section or referred to it by the Board
and for this purpose, shall have full access to information contained in the
records of the comp ny and external professional advice, if necessary.
(8)
The recommendations of the Audit Committee on any matter relating to financial
management including the audit report, shall be binding on the Board.
(9)
If the Board does not accept the recommendations of the Audit Committee, it
shall record the reasons therefor and communicate such reasons to the
shareholders.
(10)
The chairman of the Audit Committee shall attend the annual general meetings of
the company to provide any clarification on matters relating to audit.
(11)
If a default is made in complying with the provisions of this section, the
company, and every officer who is in default, shall be punishable with
imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may
extend to fifty thousand r pees, or with both.".