We were engaged to audit the accompanying Standalone Financial Statements of Jaiprakash Associates Limited (“the Company”), which comprise the Balance Sheet as at March 31st, 2025, the Statement of Profit and Loss (including Other Comprehensive Income), the Statement of Changes in Equity and the Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended on that date, and Notes to the Standalone Financial Statements, including summary of material accounting policies and other explanatory information (hereinafter referred to as “the Standalone Financial Statements”).
We do not express an opinion on the accompanying Standalone Financial Statements of the Company. Because of the significance of the matter described in the “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion” section of this report, we have not been able to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for an audit opinion on these Standalone Financial Statements.
Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion
(i) We refer to Note No. 31& 32 to the Standalone Financial Statements which states that Resolution Professional (RP) has invited creditors of the company to submit their claims to the RP in terms of the applicable provisions of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (“IBC”). Further, the Note No. 42(a) to the Standalone Financial Statements also states that Scheme of Arrangement for transfer to SPV has since been rejected by Hon'ble National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) vide its order dated 03.06.2024 and by Hon'ble National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) vide its order dated 06.12.2024. The Company has also received intimation from National Asset Reconstruction Company Limited (NARCL) dated 11.03.2025 regarding assignment of certain borrowing by Company from some lenders. The note also states that the figures of claims including borrowings may be different than the amount reflecting in the books of accounts of the Company and claims will be dealt as per the provisions of the IBC, post implementation of the approved Resolution plan and requisite accounting adjustments will be made in the Standalone Financial Statements. Hence, requisite accounting adjustments arising out of the claim verification and submission process, will be given effect to in subsequent periods post implementation of approved Resolution Plan.
In view of above, we are unable to comment on the completeness and appropriateness of the balances in relation to these subjected matters in the Standalone Financial Statements and consequential impact that the outcome of these matters may have on the Standalone Financial Statements and liabilities recognised so far.
(ii) We refer to Note No. 42(b) to the Standalone Financial
Statements which states that pursuant to the order by Hon'ble NCLT dated 22.07.2024 initiating commencement of Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) in Jaypee Cement Corporation Limited (JCCL) (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) and upheld by Hon'ble NCLAT vide its order dated 30.05.2025 and appointment of an Interim Resolution Processional (IRP) in terms of the IBC, the debts which were transferred to the Company by JCCL as part of CRRP in earlier years are now transferred back to JCCL during the current year by the Company. Further, the company had filed claim towards amount receivables with Interim Resolution Professional of JCCL. The Company has investments in JCCL amounting to Rs. 2,692.36 crores, given corporate guarantee & shortfall undertaking amounting to Rs. 514.49 crores, given Bank Guarantee amounting to Rs. 65.34 crores and payables (net) to JCCL amounting to Rs. 719.54 crores. The Company has provided Impairment on investments made in JCCL amounting to Rs. 2,692.36 crores during the year. However, the Company has not ascertained/made any provision for corporate guarantee & shortfall undertaking and Bank Guarantee.
In view of above, we are unable to comment on the completeness and appropriateness of the balances in relation to these subjected matters in the Standalone Financial Statements and consequential impact that the outcome of these matters may have on the Standalone Financial Statements.
(iii) We refer to Note No. 13.4(b) to the Standalone Financial Statements which provides the Company has not made provision for interest payable on Foreign Currency Convertible Bonds (FCCB) for the year ended on 31.03.2025 amounting to Rs. 68.88 crores. Further, the company has also not made provision for Interest on FCCB till 31.03.2024 amounting to Rs. 311.55 crores. The note further states that requisite accounting adjustments for differential amounts between the claims of FCCB Holders and amount reflecting in Standalone Financial Statements will be made in the Standalone Financial Statements as per the provisions of the IBC, post implementation of the approved Resolution plan, if any.
In view of the above, we are unable to comment on consequential impact of the above subjected matters on the Standalone Financial Statements.
(iv) We refer to Note no. 47 to Standalone Financial Statements which describes matter related to order of cancellation of lease deeds of land located at Special Development Zone (SDZ) dated 12.02.2020 by Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA),which has been upheld by Hon'ble Allahabad High Court vide its Order dated 10.03.2025 whereby certain other directions were given in respect of Home Buyers, Financial Institutions, Sub Lessess etc. and directed refund of deposit along with interest. The said note further states that the Company has filed SLP against the said Hon'ble Allahabad High Court order dated
10.03.2025 with the Hon'ble Supreme Court. The Hon'ble Supreme Court vide its order dated 19.05.2025has served notice to YEIDA for filing its response. YEIDA has since filed its response. The matter was last heard on 19.05.2025 with the directions that decision taken by YEIDA and committee formed by Allahabad High Court will not be given effect till next date of hearing, which is 29.07.2025. In view of the above and based on the legal opinion, the company has shown the Land and other Assets i.e. Race Track, Buildings etc. as Assets of the Company and balance amount payable by the Company to YEIDA as liability and no other impact pursuant to Hon'ble Allahabad High Court Order dated 10.03.2025 including interest on deposit receivable by Company from YEIDA has been given in the financial statements during the pendency of the appeals before Hon'ble Supreme Court.
In view of above, we are unable to comment on the completeness and appropriateness of the balances in relation to these subjected matters in the Standalone Financial Statements and consequential impact that the outcome of these matters may have on the Standalone Financial Statements.
(v) We have been informed that information in relation to the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP), including minutes of meetings of Committee of Creditors, and the outcome of procedures carried out by the RP as a part of the CIRP are confidential in nature and accordingly have not been provided to us.
Accordingly, we are unable to comment on the potential impact of the above subjected matters, if any, on the Standalone Financial Statements.
Material Uncertainty Related to Going Concern
We draw attention to Note no. 31 & 32 to the Standalone Financial Statements regarding the initiation of CIRP in respect of the Company under IBC and related matters. As such, management & operations of the company are managed by RP on a going concern basis as per provisions of IBC. The RP has published Form G inviting Expression of Interest for submission of Resolution Plan for the company on Going concern basis. Further, based on future cash flows, the Standalone Financial Statements of the company have been prepared on going concern basis but the outcome of events and processes initiated under CIRP cannot be presently ascertained including matters also listed hereinbefore. The company's ability to remain as going concern depends on the outcome of CIRP Therefore, these events indicate that a material uncertainty exists that may cast significant doubt on the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Emphasis of Matter
We invite attention to:
1. Note no. 33 [d] (i) and (ii) to Standalone Financial Statements which describes details of demands raised by Competition Commission of India (‘CCI') and consequential appeals filed by the company.
2. Note no. 43 to Standalone Financial Statements regarding status of invocation of Corporate Guarantee and pledged shares of Bhilai Jaypee Cement Limited (BJCL) by Yes
Bank Limited against the term loan facilities granted to Jaypee Cement Corporation Limited (subsidiary of the company).
3. Note no. 49 to Standalone Financial Statements regarding status of Bank Guarantee invocation due to termination notice for Mandla North Coal Mine.
4. Note no. 51 to Standalone Financial Statements regarding recoverability of trade receivables on the basis of contractual tenability, progress of negotiations/ discussions/ arbitration/ litigations/ legal opinions.
5. Note no. 52 to Standalone Financial Statements which describes status of Entry Tax matters pending under appeals pertaining to the State of Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
6. Note no. 13.11 to Standalone Financial Statements which describes the status of less than hundred percent availability of security cover of Principal & Interest amount outstanding of Secured Non-Convertible Debentures in accordance with Regulation 54 of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015 as amended.
7. Note No. 55[ii] to the Standalone Financial Statements which describes reclassification of Revenue and Expenses from “Discontinued Operations” to “Continued Operations” in the Standalone Financial Statements and consequent charging of depreciation on PPE of identified power and cement plants, based on decision of management and intimation of termination of agreements to Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited (DCBL) vide letter dated 14.02.2025 considering the clauses in relevant agreements and provisions of IBC.
8. Note no. 54 to the Standalone Financial Statements which describes the matter related to Ultratech Cement Limited pending before the Arbitral Tribunal and related matters.
9. Note no. 38 to the Standalone Financial Statements which describes the matter related to unfortunate accident at Srisailam Tunnel Project and consequent provision of Impairment of the balance written down value of the identified damaged/untraceable Equipments and estimates taken on the basis of current assessment and which may vary in future, based on final assessment and actual execution of the balance work.
Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Standalone Financial Statements
The Company has been admitted into CIRP in terms of the provisions of the IBC vide Hon'ble NCLT order dated 03.06.2024. The Interim Resolution Professional has been appointed as per the provisions of IBC, who was later confirmed as the Resolution Professional (RP). The powers of Board of Directors stand suspended as per provisions of IBC and such powers stands entrusted to and being exercised by the RP so appointed. The management & operations of the Company are being managed by RP on a Going Concern Basis as per provisions of IBC.
The RP of the Company is responsible for the matters stated in Section 134(5) of the Companies Act, 2013 (“the Act”) with respect to the preparation of these Standalone
JAIPRAKASH
Financial Statements that give a true and fair view of the financial position, financial performance, total comprehensive income, changes in equity and cash flows of the Company in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in India, including the Accounting Standards specified under Section 133 of the Act, read with Rule 7 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014. 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 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 Financial Statements that give a true and fair view and are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. This responsibility also includes compliance with the requirements of proviso to Rule 3(1) of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014 and designing and implementing specific internal controls that audit trail feature was designed and operating effectively throughout the period of reporting.
In preparing the Standalone Financial Statements, the 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 RP and Management are also responsible for overseeing the Company's financial reporting process.
Auditor’s Responsibility for the Audit of the Standalone Financial Statements
Our responsibility is to conduct an audit of the Company's Standalone Financial Statements in accordance with Standards on Auditing (SAs) specified under Section 143(10) of the Act and to issue an auditor's report. However, because of the significance of the matters described in the “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion” section of this report, we were not able to obtain sufficient and appropriate audit evidence to provide a basis for an audit opinion on the Standalone Financial Statements.
We are independent of the Company in accordance with the Code of Ethics issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (“ICAI”) together with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the Standalone Financial Statements, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements and the Code of Ethics.
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 A” a statement on the matters specified in paragraphs 3 and 4 of the Order.
2. Further to our comments in the “Annexure A”, as required by Section 143(3) of the Act, based on our audit we report that:
a) As described in the “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion” section of this report, we sought but were unable to obtain all the sufficient information and explanations which to the best of our knowledge and belief were necessary for the purpose of our audit.
b) Except for the possible effects of the matter described in the ‘Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion' section of this report and for the matters stated in the paragraph j(vi) below, on reporting under Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014, proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the Company so far as appears from our examination of those books.
c) Read with the matters described in “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion” section of this report, the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Profit and Loss including Other Comprehensive Income, Statement of Changes in Equity and the Statement of Cash Flow dealt with by this Report are in agreement with the books of account.
d) Except for the possible effects of the matters described in the “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion” section of this report, the aforesaid Standalone Financial Statements comply with the Accounting Standards specified under Section 133 of the Act, read with Rule 7 of the Companies (Accounts) Rules, 2014.
e) The matters described under the “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion”, “Material Uncertainty Related to Going Concern” and “Emphasis of Matter” section of our report, in our opinion, may have an adverse effect on the functioning of the Company.
f) Regarding qualification/disqualification of Directors under Section 164 (2) of the Act as on 31.03.2025; the Company has been admitted into CIRP in terms of the provisions of the IBC vide Hon'ble NCLT order dated 03.06.2024. The Interim Resolution Professional has been appointed as per the provisions of IBC, who was later confirmed as the Resolution Professional (RP). The powers of Board of Directors stand suspended as per provisions of IBC.
g) The reservation relating to the maintenance of accounts and other matters connected therewith are as stated in “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion” section of this report, the paragraph (b) above on reporting under section 143(3)(b) of the Act and paragraph j(vi) below on reporting under Rule 11(g) of the Companies (Audit and Auditors) Rules, 2014.
h) With respect to the adequacy of the internal financial controls over financial reporting of the Company and the operating effectiveness of such controls, refer to our separate Report in “Annexure B”. Our report expresses a Disclaimer of Opinion on the adequacy and operating effectiveness of the Company's Internal Financial Controls over financial reporting.
i) With respect to the other matters to be included in the Auditor's Report in accordance with the requirements of section 197(16) of the Act, as amended:
In our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanations given to us, the remuneration paid by the company to its directors during the year, prior to commencement of CIRP is in accordance with the provisions of section 197 read with Schedule V of
the Act. Thereafter, there are possible effects of matters described in “basis of disclaimer of opinion” section of this report, and the Company been admitted into CIRP in terms of the provisions of the IBC vide Hon'ble NCLT order dated 03.06.2024. The Interim Resolution Professional been appointed as per the provisions of IBC, who was later confirmed as the Resolution Professional (RP) and powers of Board of Directors stand suspended as per provisions of IBC. Based on explanations and representations provided, post initiation of CIRP the director's salary is being paid as approved/ratified by CoC and RP in terms of section 28(1)(f) of IBC.
j) With respect to the other matters included in the Auditor's Report in accordance with Rule 11 of the companies (Audit and Auditors) Rule, 2014, in our opinion and to the best of our information and according to the explanation given to us:
i. Except for the possible effects of the matters described in the “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion” section of this report, the company has disclosed the impact of pending litigation as on 31st March 2025, on its financial position in its Standalone Financial Statements - Also Refer Note No. 33 to the Standalone Financial Statements.
ii. Except for the possible effects of the matters described in the “Basis for Disclaimer of Opinion” section of this report, 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 during the year ended on March 31,2025.
iv. (a) The management has represented to us that,
to the best of management's knowledge and belief, other than as disclosed in the notes to the accounts, 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 or entity, 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 to us that, to the best of management's knowledge and belief, other than as disclosed in the notes to the accounts, no funds have been received by the company from any person or entity, 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) According to the information and explanations given to us and based on our examination of the records of the company, nothing has come to our notice that has caused us to believe that the representations made above in Point no. iv(a) and iv(b) contain any material misstatement.
v. The company has not declared or paid any dividend during the year.
vi. Based on our examination which included test checks, except for the instances mentioned below, the company has used an accounting software for maintaining its books of account which has a feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility and the same has operated throughout the year for all relevant transactions recorded in the respective software:
• The audit trail feature was not enabled throughout the year for the relevant table at application level and there is no mapping performed to ensure completeness of audit trail on all applicable tables at application level for the software used for maintaining the books of accounts of the Company except Hotel Division of the Company;
• Privileged access to specific users to make direct changes to audit trail setting have been given for the software used for maintaining the books of accounts of the Company except Hotel Division of the Company; and
• The feature of recording audit trail (edit log) facility was not enabled for the software used for maintaining the books of accounts of Hotel Division of the Company. Consequently, there was no audit trail maintained for transactions recorded in the software used for maintaining the books of accounts of the Hotel Division of the Company for the whole year.
Further, for the software where audit trail (edit log) facility was enabled and operated throughout the year for the respective accounting software, we did not come across any instance of the audit trail feature being tampered with.
Additionally, the audit trail, to the extent maintained ,has been preserved by the Company as per statutory requirements for record retention.
For DASS GUPTA & ASSOCIATES CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS Firm Registration No. 000112N
(CA NAVEEN ND GUPTA) PARTNER
Date: 30.06.2025 Membership No. 093777
Place: Noida UDIN: 25093777BMJKHT1745
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