The main change in the definition of a private company is in the increase in the limit of the number of members from 50 to 200 . Secondly, the definition does not state that a company inviting or accepting deposits from persons other than its members, directors or their relatives cannot be a private company. (section 2(68) of the 2013 Act).
Certain requirements which were till now applicable to public companies or subsidiaries of public companies have now been also extended to private companies . Some such requirements include the following:
¢ Section 90 of the 1956 Act, which was a saving section for private companies, has not been incorporated in the 2013 Act, thus making the provisions relating to the various kind of share capital and voting rights applicable to private companies: Setting up of a Company (share capital and debentures)
¢ Provisions for the appointment of managerial personnel, in section 196 of the 2013 Act, are also applicable to private companies.
Therefore, the following requirements are now applicable to private companies:
The re-appointment of a managerial person cannot be made earlier than one year before the expiry of the term. However, the term for which the managerial personnel can be appointed is five years
The eligibility criteria for the age limit has been set between 21 to 70 years. An individual above the age of 70 years can also be appointed as the key managerial personnel by passing a special resolution.
In addition, private companies have the option to adopt principle of proportional representation for appointment of directors (section 163 of the 2013 Act).
¢ The 2013 Act restricts certain powers of the board of private companies, which can be exercised only with the company™s consent by a special resolution. Some powers thus restricted are as follows :
To sell, lease or otherwise dispose of the whole or substantially the whole of the company™s undertaking
To borrow money in excess of the aggregate of its paid-up share capital and free reserves
¢ The requirements relating to corporate social responsibilities are also applicable to private companies since the criteria is based on specified levels of the net worth, turnover and net profit. However, it is of relevance to note, that while private companies are not required to appoint independent directors as per section 149 of the 2013 Act, the section on CSR, requires companies within the specified thresholds to constitute a corporate social responsibility committee consisting of three or more directors, out of which
at least one director must be an independent director. This requirement appears to be contradictory to the extent that the section applies to private companies: Corporate Social Responsibilities
¢ Private companies would now be required to comply with the requirements for inter-corporate loans as well as investments, which were hitherto not applicable: Directors (Meetings of the Board and its Powers Loans and investments by a company)
¢ The provisions relating to the appointment of the managing director, whole-time director or manager are also applicable to private companies. Directors (Appointment and remuneration of managerial personnel Introduction)
¢ For certain other compliance requirements: Directors (General Additional compliance requirements for private companies)
There is a marked increase in the compliance requirements mandated for private companies under the companies act 2013.
