TO THE MEMBERS OF BSE LIMITED
Report on the Audit of the Standalone Ind AS Financial Statements Opinion
We have audited the accompanying standalone Ind As financial statements of BSE Limited ("the Company”), which comprise the Balance sheet as at March 31,2023, the Statement of Profit and Loss, including the statement of Other Comprehensive Income, the Cash Flow Statement and the Statement of Changes in Equity for the year then ended, and notes to the standalone Ind AS financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the aforesaid standalone Ind AS financial statements give the information required by the Companies Act, 2013, as amended ("the Act”) in the manner so required and give a true and fair view in conformity with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, of the state of affairs of the Company as at March 31, 2023, its profit including other comprehensive income, its cash flows and the changes in equity for the year ended on that date.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit of the standalone Ind AS financial statements in accordance with the Standards on Auditing (SAs), as specified under section 143(10) of the Act. Our responsibilities under those Standards are further described in the ‘Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Standalone Ind AS Financial Statements’ section of our report. We are independent of the Company in accordance with the ‘Code of Ethics’ issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India together with the
ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the Ind AS financial statements under the provisions of the Act and the Rules thereunder, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code of Ethics. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion on the standalone Ind AS financial statements.
Key Audit Matters
Key audit matters are those matters that, in our professional judgment, were of most significance in our audit of the standalone Ind AS financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2023. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the standalone Ind AS financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters. For each matter below, our description of how our audit addressed the matter is provided in that context.
We have determined the matters described below to be the key audit matters to be communicated in our report. We have fulfilled the responsibilities described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the standalone Ind AS financial statements section of our report, including in relation to these matters. Accordingly, our audit included the performance of procedures designed to respond to our assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the standalone Ind AS financial statements. The results of our audit procedures, including the procedures performed to address the matters below, provide the basis for our audit opinion on the accompanying standalone Ind AS financial statements.
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Key audit matters
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How our audit addressed the key audit matter
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Valuation of investments and its impairment (as described in note 32 of the standalone Ind AS financial statements)
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The Company has investments in various unlisted subsidiaries along with investments in associates, mutual funds, bonds and debentures of corporates.
These investments represent the most significant amount on the balance sheet. The total of these investments aggregating to ' 1,57,265 represented approx. 51% of total assets of the Company as at March 31,2023.
Investment in subsidiaries are valued at cost and are required to be assessed for impairment in accordance with Ind AS 36, when any indicators of impairment are observed. Investment in bonds are valued at amortised cost and are required to be assessed for the expected credit loss in accordance with Ind AS 109.
High degree of management’s judgement is involved in estimation of the recoverable amount on these investments and there is inherent uncertainty relating to the assumptions supporting such estimates and risk that the fair value of investments is not determined appropriately and hence valuation of investments and its impairment is considered as a key audit matter.
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Our audit procedures included the following:
• Assessed the design and implementation of controls over valuation and existence of investments.
• For the fair valuation models, understood and assessed the methodology used. Tested the underlying data and assumptions used in the determination of the fair value.
• Traced the quantity held from the independent confirmations provided by Custodian and Fund houses.
• Tested the valuation of the quoted and unquoted investments to independent pricing sources.
• Assessed and tested the management procedures for performing impairment analysis of investments.
• Assessed appropriateness and arithmetical accuracy of fair value disclosures pertaining to investments (as described in note 32 of the standalone Ind AS financial statements)
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Key audit matters
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How our audit addressed the key audit matter
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Information Technology (IT) systems and controls
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As a Stock Exchange, the reliability of IT systems plays a key role in the business operations. Since large volume of transactions are processed, the IT controls are required to ensure that systems process data as expected and that changes are made in an appropriate manner.
The IT infrastructure is critical for smooth functioning of the Company’s business operations as well as for timely and accurate financial accounting and reporting.
Due to the pervasive nature and complexity of the IT environment and large volume of transactions we have considered IT systems and controls as a key audit matter.
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Our audit procedures included the following:
• Assessed the information systems used by the Company for IT General Controls (ITGC) and Application controls;
• The aspects covered in the IT General Control audit were (i) User Access Management (ii) Program Change Management (iii) Other related ITGCs; - to understand the design and test the operating effectiveness of such controls in the system;
• Assessed the changes that were made to the key systems during the audit period and assessing changes that have impact on financial reporting;
• Performed tests of controls (including other compensatory controls wherever applicable) on the IT application controls and IT dependent manual controls in the system.
• Tested the design and operating effectiveness of compensating controls, where deficiencies were identified and, where necessary, extended the scope of our substantive audit procedures.
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Provisions for litigation and claims (as described in note 36 of the standalone Ind AS financial statements)
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There are certain demands raised by regulatory authorities, employees and others. The Company has disputed such demands by appealing them to relevant statutory forums
For various pending litigations against the Company, management judgement is needed to determine whether an obligation exists and a provision should be recorded or disclosure if any, required in the financial statements in accordance with the criteria set under IND AS 37
The measurement of the provision is based on the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the present obligation.
Considering the judgement and estimate involved, matter is considered as a key audit matter.
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Our audit procedures included the following:
• Obtained and evaluated the Company’s accounting policy in relation to accounting, assessing and disclosure of claims against the Company.
• Understood the design and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s key controls over the identification, estimation, monitoring and disclosure of provisions for litigations and claims.
• Examined the relevant correspondence with regulators to assess developments in key areas and litigation reports to identify potentially material cases.
• Obtained independent confirmations from lawyers in respect of material cases outstanding.
• Reviewed the Board and other board level committee meeting minutes to assess the effectiveness of management’s review controls and conclusions reached.
• For the significant provisions made, understood and assessed the provisioning methodology. Tested the underlying data and assumptions used in the determination of the provisions recorded, including expected claim rates.
• For cases where a provision was not recognized, evaluated the adequacy of disclosure made in the Ind AS financial statements.
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Information Other than the Standalone Ind AS Financial Statements and Auditor’s Report Thereon
The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual report, but does not include the standalone financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The Annual report is expected to be made available to us after the date of this auditor’s report.
Our opinion on the standalone financial statements does not cover the other information and we do not and will not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
In connection with our audit of the standalone financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information identified above when it becomes available and, in doing so, consider whether such other
information is materially inconsistent with the standalone Ind AS financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated.
When we read the Annual report, if we conclude that there is a material misstatement therein, we are required to communicate the matter to those charged with governance.
Responsibilities of Management and the Board of Directors for the Standalone Ind AS Financial Statements
The Company’s Board of Directors is responsible for the matters stated in section 134(5) of the Act with respect to the preparation of these standalone Ind AS financial statements that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance including other comprehensive income, cash flows and changes in equity of the Company in accordance
with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, including the Indian Accounting Standards (Ind AS) specified under section 133 of the Act read with the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, as amended. This responsibility also includes maintenance of adequate accounting records in accordance with the provisions of the Act for safeguarding of the assets of the Company and for preventing and detecting frauds and other irregularities; selection and application of appropriate accounting policies; making judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and the design, implementation and maintenance of adequate internal financial controls, that were operating effectively for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the accounting records, relevant to the preparation and presentation of the standalone Ind AS financial statements that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the standalone Ind AS financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the Company or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.
The Board of Directors are also responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process.
Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Standalone Ind AS Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the standalone Ind AS financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with SAs will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these standalone Ind AS financial statements.
As part of an audit in accordance with SAs, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:
• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the standalone Ind AS financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control.
• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. Under section 143(3)0 of the Act, we are also responsible for expressing our opinion on whether the Company has adequate internal financial controls with reference to Ind AS
financial statements in place and the operating effectiveness of such controls.
• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management.
• Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the Ind AS financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Company to cease to continue as a going concern.
• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the standalone Ind AS financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the standalone Ind AS financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.
We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.
We also provide those charged with governance with a statement that we have complied with relevant ethical requirements regarding independence, and to communicate with them all relationships and other matters that may reasonably be thought to bear on our independence, and where applicable, related safeguards.
From the matters communicated with those charged with governance, we determine those matters that were of most significance in the audit of the standalone Ind AS financial statements for the financial year ended March 31, 2023 and are therefore the key audit matters. We describe these matters in our auditor’s report unless law or regulation precludes public disclosure about the matter or when, in extremely rare circumstances, we determine that a matter should not be communicated in our report because the adverse consequences of doing so would reasonably be expected to outweigh the public interest benefits of such communication.
Report on Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements
1. As required by the Companies (Auditor’s Report) Order, 2020 ("the Order”), issued by the Central Government of India in terms of sub-section (11) of section 143 of the Act, we give in “Annexure 1” a statement on the matters specified in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Order.
2. As required by Section 143(3) of the Act, we report that:
(a) We have sought and obtained all the information and explanations which to the best of our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purposes of our audit;
(b) In our opinion, proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the Company so far as it appears from our examination of those books
(c) The Balance Sheet, the Statement of Profit and Loss including the Statement of Other Comprehensive Income, the Cash Flow Statement and Statement of Changes in Equity dealt with by this Report are in agreement with the books of account;
(d) In our opinion, the aforesaid standalone Ind AS financial statements comply with the Accounting Standards specified under Section 133 of the Act, read with Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Rules, 2015, as amended;
(e) On the basis of the written representations received from the directors as on March 31,2023 taken on record by the Board of Directors, none of the directors is disqualified as on March 31, 2023 from being appointed as a director in terms of Section 164 (2) of the Act;
(f) With respect to the adequacy of the internal financial controls with reference to these standalone Ind AS financial statements and the operating effectiveness of such controls, refer to our separate Report in “Annexure 2” to this report;
(g) In our opinion, the managerial remuneration for the year ended March 31, 2023 has been paid / provided by the Company to its directors in accordance with the provisions of section 197 read with Schedule V to the Act;
(h) With respect to the other matters to be included in the Auditor’s Report in accordance with Rule 11 of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, as amended in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us:
i. The Company has disclosed the impact of pending litigations on its financial position in its standalone Ind AS financial statements - Refer Note 36 to the standalone Ind AS financial statements;
ii. The Company did not have any long-term contracts including derivative contracts for which there were any material foreseeable losses;
iii. There has been no delay in transferring amounts, required to be transferred, to the Investor Education and Protection Fund by the Company.
iv. a) The management has represented that,
to the best of its knowledge and belief, no funds have been advanced or loaned or invested (either from borrowed funds or share premium or any other sources or kind of funds) by the Company to or in any other person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities ("Intermediaries”), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Intermediary shall, whether, directly or indirectly lend or invest
in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Company ("Ultimate Beneficiaries”) or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries;
b) The management has represented that, to the best of its knowledge and belief, no funds have been received by the Company from any person(s) or entity(ies), including foreign entities ("Funding Parties”), with the understanding, whether recorded in writing or otherwise, that the Company shall, whether, directly or indirectly, lend or invest in other persons or entities identified in any manner whatsoever by or on behalf of the Funding Party ("Ultimate Beneficiaries”) or provide any guarantee, security or the like on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries; and
c) Based on such audit procedures performed that have been considered reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances, nothing has come to our notice that has caused us to believe that the representations under sub-clause (a) and (b) contain any material misstatement.
v. The final dividend paid by the Company during the year which was declared for the previous year is in accordance with section 123 of the Act to the extent it applies to payment of dividend.
As stated in note 15.3 to the standalone Ind AS financial statements, the Board of Directors of the Company have proposed final dividend for the year which is subject to the approval of the members at the ensuing Annual General Meeting. The dividend declared is in accordance with section 123 of the Act to the extent it applies to declaration of dividend.
vi. As proviso to Rule 3(1) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 is applicable for the Company only w.e.f. April 1, 2023, reporting under this clause is not applicable.
For S.R. Batliboi & Co. LLP
Chartered Accountants
ICAI Firm Registration Number: 301003E/E300005
per Jayesh Gandhi
Partner
Membership No: 037924
UDIN: 23037924BGXTZU4540
Place of Signature: Mumbai
Date: May 11,2023
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