On 15-5-2023, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs notified the Companies (Compromises, Arrangements and Amalgamations) Amendment Rules, 2023 to amend the Companies (Compromises, Arrangements and Amalgamations) Rules, 2016.
Key Points:
1. Rule 25 has been modified in order to streamline approvals for mergers by way of deemed approvals. Rule 25 (5) now provides that if no objection/suggestion is received within a period of 30 days from the Registrar of Companies/ Official Liquidator, and if the Central Government (‘CG’) thinks that the scheme is in the public interest or in the interest of creditors, CG can issue a confirmation order of such scheme of merger or amalgamation in Form No. CAA.12 within a period of 15 days after the expiry of said 30 days. If the CG does not issue a confirmation order within 60 days, it will be deemed that there is no objection, and a confirmation order will be issued.
2. Rule 25 (6) provides that if the objections/suggestions are received within 30 days, the CG can take following actions:
• A confirmation order will be issued within 30 days, if the objections/ suggestions are deemed unsustainable, and the CG thinks that the scheme is in the public interest or the interest of creditors.
• In case CG thinks that the scheme is not in the public interest or the interest of creditors, CG can file an application stating the objections/ opinion to consider scheme under 232 of Companies Act, 2013 before the Tribunal within 60 days. If the Central Government does not issue a confirmation order or file an application
