H. Provisions and contingencies
I. Provisions
Mines reclamation
The Company provides for the costs of restoring a mine where a legal or constructive obligation exists. The estimated future costs for known restoration requirements are determined on a mine-by-mine basis and are calculated based on the present value of estimated future cash out flows.
The restoration provision before exploitation of the raw materials has commenced is included in Property, Plant and Equipment and depreciated over the life of the related asset.
The effect of any adjustments to the provision due to further environmental damage as a result of exploitation activities is recorded through the Statement of Profit and Loss over the life of the related asset, in order to reflect the best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation at the end of the reporting period.
Changes in the measurement of a provision that result from changes in the estimated timing or amount of cash outflows, or a change in the discount rate, are added to or deducted from the cost of the related asset to the extent that they relate to the asset's installation, construction or acquisition.
Provisions are discounted to their present value. The unwinding of the discount is recognised as a finance cost in the Statement of Profit and Loss.
Other provisions:
Provisions are recognised when the Company has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of the amount of the obligation. When the Company expects some or all of a provision to be reimbursed, for example, under an insurance contract, the reimbursement is recognised as a separate asset, but only when the reimbursement is virtually certain. The expense relating to a provision is
presented in the statement of profit and loss net of any reimbursement.
II. Contingent liability
A contingent liability is a possible obligation that arises from the past events whose existence will be confirmed by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events beyond the control of the Company or a present obligation that arises from past events and that is not recognised because it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation. The Company does not recognise a contingent liability but discloses its existence in the financial statements.
I. Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognised on the basis of approved contracts regarding the transfer of goods or services to a customer for an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange of those goods or services.
I. Sale of goods
Revenue from the sale of the goods is recognised when delivery has taken place and control of the goods has been transferred to the customer according to the specific delivery term that have been agreed with the customer and when there are no longer any unfulfilled obligations.
Revenue is measured after deduction of any discounts, price concessions, volume rebates and any taxes or duties collected on behalf of the government such as goods and services tax, etc. The Company accrues for such discounts, price concessions and rebates at inception to determine the transaction price based on historical experience and specific contractual terms with the customer.
The disclosure of significant accounting judgements, estimates and assumptions relating to revenue from
contracts with customers are provided in Note 1.4 (vi).
No element of financing is deemed present as the sales are made with credit terms largely ranging between 30 days and 60 days depending on the specific terms agreed with customers.
II. Rendering of services
Income from services rendered is recognised at a point in time based on agreements / arrangements with the customers when the services are performed and there are no unfulfilled obligations.
III. Contract assets, Trade receivables and Contract liabilities:
Contract asset:
A contract asset is the right to consideration in exchange for goods or services transferred to the customer. If the Company performs by transferring goods or services to a customer before the customer pays consideration or before payment is due, a contract asset is recognised for the earned consideration that is conditional. Contract assets are subject to impairment assessment.
Trade receivables
A receivable represents the Company's right to an amount of consideration that is unconditional i.e., only the passage of time is required before payment of consideration is due and the amount is billable. (Refer note 12).
Contract liabilities
A contract liability is the obligation to transfer goods or services to a customer for which the Company has received consideration from the customer. Contract liabilities are recognised as revenue when the Company performs obligations under the contract.
Rebates to customers (Refund liabilities)
Rebates to customers is recognised for the credit under various schemes including expected future rebates that are expected to be claimed by the customers. The Company updates its estimates of rebates at the end of each reporting period. The Company does not have material sales return and hence, no liabilities are recognised towards the sales.
IV. Interest income
I nterest income from a financial asset is recognised when it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the amount of income can be measured reliably. Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset's net carrying amount on initial recognition.
V. Dividends
Dividend income is recognised when right to receive is established (provided that it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Company and the amount of income can be measured reliably).
J. Retirement and other employee benefits I. Defined contribution plan
Employee benefits in the form of contribution to Superannuation Fund, Provident Fund managed by government authorities, Employees State Insurance Corporation and Labour Welfare Fund are considered as defined contribution plans and the same are charged to the statement of profit and loss for the year in which the employee renders the related service.
II. Defined benefit plan
The Company's gratuity fund scheme, additional gratuity scheme and post-employment benefit scheme are considered as defined benefit plans. The Company's liability is determined on the basis of an actuarial valuation using the projected unit credit method as at the balance sheet date.
Employee benefit in respect of certain categories of employees, are provided in the form of contribution to provident fund managed by a trust set up by the Company till December 31,
2024, is charged to statement of profit and loss for the year in which the employee renders the related service. The Company has an obligation to make good the shortfall, if any, between the return from the investment of the trust and interest rate notified by the Government of India till December 31, 2024. Such shortfall is recognised in the statement of profit and loss based on actuarial valuation. W.e.f. January 01,
2025, such categories of employee benefit has also been included in employee contribution plan as stated above.
Past service costs are recognised in the statement of profit and loss on the earlier of:
a. The date of the plan amendment or curtailment, and
b. The date that the Company recognises related restructuring costs
The net interest cost is calculated by applying the discount rate to the net balance of the defined benefit obligation and the fair value of plan assets. The Company recognises the following changes in the net defined benefit obligation as an expense in the statement of profit and loss:
a. Service costs comprising current service costs, past-service costs, gains and losses on curtailments and non-routine settlements; and
b. Net interest expense or income
c. Re-measurements, comprising actuarial gains and losses, the effect of the asset ceiling (if any), and the return on plan assets
(excluding net interest), are recognised immediately in the balance sheet with a corresponding debit or credit to retained earnings through OCI in the period in which they occur. Re-measurements are not reclassified to the statement of profit and loss in subsequent periods.
III. Short term employee benefits
a. Short term employee benefits that are expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service are recognised as an expense at the undiscounted amount in the statement of profit and loss of the year in which the related service is rendered.
b. Accumulated Compensated absences, which are expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service, are treated as short term employee benefits. The Company measures the expected cost of such absences as the additional amount that it expects to pay as a result of the unused entitlement that has accumulated at the reporting date.
IV. Other long-term employee benefits
Compensated absences are provided for on the basis of an actuarial valuation, using the projected unit credit method, as at the date of the balance sheet. Actuarial gains / losses, if any, are immediately recognised in the statement of profit and loss.
Long service awards and accumulated compensated absences which are not expected to be settled wholly within 12 months after the end of the period in which the employees render the related service are treated as other long term employee benefits for measurement purposes.
V. Termination benefits
Termination benefits are payable when employment is terminated by the Company before the normal retirement date, or when an employee accepts voluntary redundancy in exchange for these benefits. The Company
recognises termination benefits at the earlier of the following:
a. when the Company can no longer withdraw the offer of those benefits;
b. when the Company recognises costs for a restructuring that is within the scope of Ind AS 37 and involves the payment of termination benefits.
In the case of an offer made to encourage voluntary redundancy, the termination benefits are measured based on the number of employees expected to accept the offer. Benefits falling due more than 12 months after the end of the reporting period are discounted to present value.
VI. Presentation and disclosure
For the purpose of presentation of defined benefit plans, the allocation between the short term and long-term provisions have been made as determined by an actuary. Obligations under other long-term benefits are classified as short-term provision, if the Company does not have an unconditional right to defer the settlement of the obligation beyond 12 months from the reporting date. The Company presents the entire compensated absences as short-term provisions since employee has an unconditional right to avail the leave at any time during the year.
K. Taxation
Tax expense comprises current income tax and deferred income tax and includes any adjustments related to past periods in current and / or deferred tax adjustments that may become necessary due to certain developments or reviews during the relevant period.
I. Current income tax
Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted, at the reporting date in the countries where the Company operates and generates taxable income.
Current income tax relating to items recognised outside the statement of profit and loss is recognised in correlation to the underlying transaction either in OCI or directly in equity. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and recognise expense where appropriate.
Current tax assets and current tax liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle the asset and the liability on a net basis.
II. Deferred tax
Deferred tax is recognized for the future tax consequences of deductible temporary differences between the carrying values of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases at the reporting date.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences, except:
Ý When the deferred tax liability arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss and does not give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences.
Ý In respect of taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint ventures, when the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets are recognised for all deductible temporary differences, the carry forward of unused tax credits and any unused tax losses. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that sufficient future taxable income will be available against which such deferred tax assets can be realised, except:
Ý When the deferred tax asset relating to the deductible temporary difference arises
from the initial recognition of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss.
Ý In respect of deductible temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries, associates and interests in joint ventures, deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is probable that the temporary differences will reverse in the foreseeable future and taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences can be utilised.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets are reviewed at each balance sheet date. The Company writes-down the carrying amount of a deferred tax asset to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient future taxable income will be available against which deferred tax asset can be realised. Any such write-down is reversed to the extent that it becomes reasonably certain that sufficient future taxable income will be available.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured based on the tax rates that are expected to apply in the year when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Deferred tax relating to items recognised outside the statement of profit and loss is recognised outside profit or loss (either in other comprehensive income or in equity). Deferred tax items are recognised in correlation to the underlying transaction either in OCI or directly in equity.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets and liabilities and when the deferred tax balances relate to the same taxation authority.
The Company applies significant judgment in identifying uncertainties over income tax treatments. Uncertain tax positions are reflected in the overall measurement of the Company's tax expense and are based on the most likely amount
or expected value that is to be disallowed by the taxing authorities whichever better predict the resolution of uncertainty. Uncertain tax balances are monitored and updated as and when new information becomes available, typically upon examination or action by the taxing authorities or through statute expiration.
I n the situations where one or more units of the Company are entitled to a tax holiday under the tax law, no deferred tax (asset or liability) is recognised in respect of temporary differences which reverse during the tax holiday period, to the extent the concerned unit's gross total income is subject to the deduction during the tax holiday period. Deferred tax in respect of temporary differences which reverse after the tax holiday period is recognised in the year in which the temporary differences originate. However, the Company restricts recognition of deferred tax assets to the extent it is probable that sufficient future taxable income will be available against which such deferred tax assets can be realised. For recognition of deferred taxes, the temporary differences which originate first are considered to reverse first.
L. Leases
The Company assesses whether a contract is or contains a lease, at inception of a contract. A contract is, or contains, a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration.
i. Company as a lessee:
Right-of-use assets
At the date of commencement of the lease, the Company recognises a right-of-use asset and a corresponding lease liability for all lease arrangements in which it is a lessee, except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets.
The right-of-use assets are initially recognised at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for any lease payments made at or prior to the commencement date of the lease plus any initial direct costs less any lease incentives. They are subsequently
measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if any.
Right-of-use assets are depreciated from the commencement date on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term and useful life of the underlying asset:
The right of use assets is also subject to impairment. Right of use assets are evaluated for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.
Lease liabilities
Lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments. The lease payments are discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if not readily determinable, using the incremental borrowing rates. The Company uses the incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate.
Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability include fixed payments, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate known at the commencement date; and extension option payments or purchase options payments which the Company is reasonably certain to exercise.
Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate are not included in the measurement the lease liability and the ROU asset. The related payments are recognised as an expense in the period in which the event or condition that triggers those payments occurs and are included in the line "Other expenses” in the Statement of Profit or Loss.
The lease term comprises the non-cancellable lease term together with the period covered by extension options, if assessed as reasonably certain to be exercised, and termination
options, if assessed as reasonably certain not to be exercised.
The lease liability is subsequently remeasured by increasing the carrying amount to reflect interest on the lease liabilities, reducing the carrying amount to reflect the lease payments made.
ROU asset and l ease liabilities have been separately presented in the Balance Sheet and lease payments have been classified as financing cash flows.
Short-term leases and leases of low-value assets
The Company applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases (i.e., those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date). It also applies the low-value asset recognition exemption on a lease-by-lease basis, if the lease qualifies as leases of low-value assets. In making this assessment, the Company also factors below key aspects:
a) The assessment is conducted on an absolute basis and is independent of the size, nature, or circumstances of the lessee.
b) The assessment is based on the value of the asset when new, regardless of the asset's age at the time of the lease.
c) The lessee can benefit from the use of the underlying asset either independently or in combination with other readily available resources, and the asset is not highly dependent on or interrelated with other assets.
d) I f the asset is subleased or expected to be subleased, the head lease does not qualify as a lease of a low-value asset.
Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The related cash flows are classified as Operating activities in the Statement of Cash Flows.
II. Company as a lessor:
The determination of whether an arrangement is (or contains) a lease is based on the substance
of the arrangement at the inception of the lease. The arrangement is, or contains, a lease if fulfilment of the arrangement is dependent on the use of a specific asset or assets and the arrangement conveys a right to use the asset or assets, even if that right is not explicitly specified in an arrangement. Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are classified as operating leases. Rental income from operating leases is generally recognised on a straight-line basis over the term of the relevant lease. Where the rentals are structured solely to increase in line with expected general inflation to compensate for the Company's expected inflationary cost increases, such increases are recognised in the year in which such benefits accrue. Initial direct costs incurred in negotiating and arranging an operating lease are added to the carrying amount of the leased asset and recognised on a straight-line basis over the lease.
M. Government grants and subsidies including duty credits/refunds
Government grants are recognised at their fair value when there is a reasonable assurance that the grant will be received, and all attached conditions will be complied with.
Where the grants relate to an item of expense, they are recognised as income on a systematic basis in the statement of profit and loss over the periods necessary to match them with the related costs, which they are intended to compensate.
Where the grant relates to an asset, it is recognised as income in equal amounts over the expected useful life of the related asset.
When the Company receives grants of non-monetary assets, the asset and the grant are recorded at fair value amounts and released to the statement of profit and loss over the expected useful life in a pattern of consumption of the benefit of the underlying asset.
When loans or similar assistance are provided by governments or related institutions, with an interest rate below the current applicable market rate, the effect of this favourable interest
is regarded as a government grant. The loan or assistance is initially recognised and measured at fair value and the government grant is measured as the difference between the initial carrying value of the loan and the proceeds received. The loan is subsequently measured as per the accounting policy applicable to financial liabilities.
Government grant receivables are discounted to their present value. If the effect of the time value of money is material, Government grant receivables are discounted using a current pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the risks specific to the asset. When discounting is used, the increase in the receivable due to the passage of time is recognised as a component of "Government grant including duty credits/refunds.
N. Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing the net profit or loss for the period attributable to equity shareholders by the weighted average number of equity shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing the profit after tax as adjusted for dividend, interest and other charges to expense or income (net of any attributable taxes) relating to the dilutive potential equity shares, by the weighted average number of equity shares considered for deriving basic earnings per share and the weighted average number of equity shares which could have been issued on conversion of all dilutive potential equity shares.
O. Foreign currencies translations
The Company's standalone financial statements are presented in (I), which is also the Company's functional currency.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency spot rates of exchange at the reporting date. Exchange differences on monetary items are recognised in profit and loss in the period in which they arise.
Non-monetary items which are carried in terms of historical cost denominated in a foreign currency
are reported using the exchange rate at the date of the transaction.
P. Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalent in the balance sheet and for the purpose of standalone statement of cash flows comprise cash at banks and on hand, short-term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less and investment in liquid mutual funds that are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value.
Q. Dividend
The Company recognises a liability to pay dividend to equity holders of the Company when the distribution is authorised, and the distribution is no longer at the discretion of the Company. As per the corporate laws in India, a distribution is authorised when it is approved by the shareholders. A corresponding amount is recognised directly in equity.
R. Classification of current and non-current assets and liabilities
The operating cycle is the time between the acquisition of assets for processing and their realisation in cash and cash equivalents. The Company has identified twelve months as its operating cycle for determining current and non-current classification of assets and liabilities in the Balance sheet.
S. Exceptional Items
Exceptional items refer to items of income or expense, within the statement of profit and loss from ordinary activities which are non-recurring and are of such size, nature or incidence that their separate disclosure is considered necessary to explain the performance of the Company.
1.4 Use of estimates and judgments
The preparation of the Company's financial statements requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the accompanying disclosures, and the disclosure of contingent liabilities. Uncertainty about these assumptions and estimates could result in
outcomes that require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of assets or liabilities affected in future periods.
Estimates and judgments are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future period, if the revision affects current and future period. Revisions in estimates are reflected in the financial statements in the period in which changes are made and, if material, their effects are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
The key assumptions concerning the future and other key sources of estimation uncertainty at the reporting date, that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year, are described below. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments may change due to market changes or circumstances arising that are beyond the control of the Company. Such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur.
I. Classification of legal matters and tax litigations (Refer Note 43)
The litigations and claims to which the Company is exposed to are assessed by management with assistance of the legal department and in certain cases with the support of external specialised lawyers. Determination of the outcome of these matters into "Probable, Possible and Remote” require judgement and estimation on case to case basis.
II. Defined benefit obligations (Refer Note 40)
The cost of defined benefit gratuity plans, and post-retirement medical benefit is determined using actuarial valuations. The actuarial valuation involves making assumptions about discount rates, future salary increases, mortality rates and future pension increases. Due to the long-term nature of these plans, such estimates are subject to significant uncertainty.
III. Useful life of property, plant and equipment (Refer Note 2)
The charge in respect of periodic depreciation is derived after determining an estimate of an asset's expected useful life and the expected residual value. Increasing an asset's expected life or its residual value would result in a reduced depreciation charge in the statement of profit and loss. The useful lives of the Company's assets are determined by management at the time the asset is acquired and reviewed at least annually for appropriateness. The lives are based on historical experience with similar assets as well as anticipation of future events, which may impact their life, such as changes in technology.
IV. Impairment of Property, plant and equipment (Refer Note 2)
Determining whether the property, plant and equipment are impaired requires an estimate of the value of use. In considering the value in use, the management has anticipated the capacity utilisation of plants, operating margins, mineable resources and availability of infrastructure of mines, and other factors of the underlying businesses / operations. Any subsequent changes to the cash flows due to changes in the above-mentioned factors could impact the carrying value of property, plant and equipment.
V. Incentives under the State Industrial Policy (Refer Note 8 and 16)
The Company's manufacturing units in various states are eligible for incentives under the respective State Industrial Policy. The Company accrues these incentives as refund claims in respect of VAT/GST paid, on the basis that all attaching conditions were fulfilled by the Company and there is reasonable assurance that the incentive claims will be disbursed by the State Governments.
The Company measures expected credit losses in a way that reflects the time value of money. Any subsequent changes to the estimated recovery period could impact the carrying value of Incentives receivable.
VI. Discounts / rebate to customers (Refer Note
28)
The Company provides discount and rebates on sales to certain customers. Revenue from these sales is recognised based on the price charged to the customer, net of the estimated pricing allowances, discounts, rebates, and other incentives. In certain cases, the amount of these discount and rebates are not determined until claims with appropriate evidence is presented by the customer to the Company, which may be some time after the date of sale. Accordingly, the Company estimates the amount of such incentives basis the terms of contract, incentive schemes, historical experience adjusted with the forward looking, business forecast and the current economic conditions. To estimate the amount of incentives, the Company uses the most likely method. Such estimates are subject to the estimation uncertainty.
VII. Physical verification of Inventory (Refer Note 10)
Bulk inventory for the Company primarily comprises of coal, petcoke and clinker which are primarily used during the production process at the manufacturing locations. Determination of physical quantities of bulk inventories is done based on volumetric measurements and involves special considerations with respect to physical measurement, density calculation, moisture, etc. which involve estimates / judgments.
VIII. For key estimates and judgements related to fair values refer note 52(C).
1.5 New and amended standards
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) notified the Ind AS 117, Insurance Contracts, vide notification dated August 12, 2024, under the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Amendment Rules, 2024, which is effective from annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024.
(i) Ind AS 117 Insurance Contracts is a comprehensive new accounting standard for insurance contracts covering recognition and measurement, presentation and disclosure. Ind AS 117 replaces Ind AS 104 Insurance Contracts. Ind AS 117 applies to all types of insurance contracts, regardless of the type of entities that issue them as well as to certain guarantees and financial instruments with discretionary participation features; a few scope exceptions will apply. Ind AS 117 is based on a general model, supplemented by:
Ý A specific adaptation for contracts with direct participation features (the variable fee approach)
Ý A simplified approach (the premium allocation approach) mainly for short-duration contracts
The application of Ind AS 117 does not have material impact on the Company's separate financial statements as the Company has not entered any contracts in the nature of insurance contracts covered under Ind AS 117.
(ii) Amendments to Ind AS 116 Leases - Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback
The MCA notified the Companies (Indian Accounting Standards) Second Amendment Rules, 2024, which amend Ind AS 116, Leases, with respect to Lease Liability in a Sale and Leaseback.
The amendment specifies the requirements that a seller-lessee uses in measuring the lease liability arising in a sale and leaseback transaction, to ensure the seller-lessee does not recognise any amount of the gain or loss that relates to the right of use it retains.
The amendment is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 April 2024 and must be applied retrospectively to sale and leaseback transactions entered into after the date of initial application of Ind AS 116.
The amendments do not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.
Note 40: Employee benefits
a) Defined contribution plans - Amount recognised and included in note 34 "contributions to provident and other funds” of Statement of Profit and Loss ' 14.49 crore till December 31, 2024 (March 31, 2024 - ' 15.25 crore).
b) Defined benefit plans
The Company has defined benefit gratuity plan, additional gratuity plan for certain category of employees and trust managed provident fund plan. Trust managed provident fund plan was operative till December 31, 2024 and thereafter the balance was transferred to the account of the Central board of trustees, Employees Provident Fund. (Refer Provident Fund note below)
The gratuity and provident fund plan (till December 31, 2024) is in the form of a trust and it is governed by the Board of Trustees appointed by the company. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the administration of the plan assets including investment of the funds. The trust has developed policy guidelines for the allocation of assets to different classes with the objective of controlling risk and maintaining the right balance between risk and long-term returns in order to limit the cost to the Company of the benefits provided. To achieve this, investments are well diversified, such that the failure of any single investment would not have a material impact on the overall level of assets.
Each year, the Board of Trustees and the Company review the level of funding. Such a review includes the asset-liability matching strategy and assessment of the investment risk. The Company decides its contribution based on the results of this annual review.
The plans in India typically expose the Company to actuarial risks such as: investment risk, interest rate risk, longevity risk and salary risk.
Investment risk - As the plan assets include significant investments in quoted debt and equity instruments, the Company is exposed to the risk of impacts arising from fluctuation in interest rates and risks associated with equity market and related impairment.
Interest risk - A decrease in the bond interest rate will increase the plan liability; however, this will be partially offset by an increase in the return on the plan's debt investments.
Longevity risk - The present value of the defined benefit plan liability is calculated by reference to the best estimate of the mortality of plan participants both during and after their employment. An increase in the life expectancy of the plan participants will increase the plan's liability.
Salary risk - The present value of the defined benefit plan liability is calculated by reference to the future salaries of plan participants. As such, an increase in the salary of the plan participants will increase the plan's liability.
Gratuity and additional gratuity
i. The Company operates a Gratuity Plan through a trust for all its employees. Employee who has completed minimum five years of service is entitled to gratuity at 15 days salary for each completed year of service in accordance with Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. The scheme is funded with insurance companies in the form of qualifying insurance policies managed by the trust.
i i. Every eligible employee who has joined the Company before December 01, 2006 and gets separated on
retirement or on medical grounds is entitled to additional gratuity provided he has completed minimum 25 years of service. The scheme is non funded.
Provident Fund
Provident Fund for certain eligible employees is managed by the Company through a trust "The Provident Fund of ACC Limited", in line with the Provident Fund and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, During the year the Company has submitted the application to surrender the provident fund exemption under the Employees' Provident Fund & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 on its own volition with effect from January 01, 2025, with the relevant authorities. The same has been approved by the Employees Provident Fund Organisation on provisional basis vide its letter dated January 06, 2025 in respect of the Company.
In this regard, the Company has provisionally determined the obligation as at December 31, 2024 amounting to ' 628.97 crore. Accordingly an amount of ' 628.97 crore lying in the different classes of plan assets in the account of The Provident Fund of ACC Limited has been transferred to the account of the Central board of trustees, Employees Provident Fund on provisional basis. The Company do not expect any additional liabilities payable to Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
(i) The sensitivity analysis as at year ended March 31, 2024, presented above may not be representative of the actual change in the defined benefit obligation as it is unlikely that the change in assumptions would occur in isolation of one another as some of the assumptions may be correlated.
Furthermore, in presenting the above sensitivity analysis, the present value of the defined benefit obligation has been calculated using the projected unit credit method at the end of the reporting period, which is the same as that applied in calculating the defined benefit obligation recognised in the balance sheet.
(ii) The Company had invested provident fund of ' 49 crore through a trust "ACC Limited (Trust)" in perpetual bonds of IL&FS Financial Services Limited. In view of uncertainties regarding recoverability of this investment, during the year ended December 31, 2019 the Company had provided ' 49 crore being the change in re-measurement of the defined benefit plans, in Other Comprehensive Income towards probable incremental employee benefit liability that may arise on the Company on account of any likely shortfall of the Trust in meeting its obligations.
Subsequent to the provisional surrender of provident fund exemption, the Company has transferred all the assets and liabilities except for the above securities which are carried at Nil fair value since earlier years.
a) I n 2012, the Competition Commission of India ('CCI') issued an Order imposing penalty on certain cement manufacturers, including the Company, concerning alleged contravention of the provisions of the Competition Act, 2002 and imposed a penalty of I 1,147.59 crore (March 31, 2024 I 1,147.59 crore) on the Company. On Company's appeal, Competition Appellate Tribunal ('COMPAT') (who initially stayed the penalty), by its final order dated December 11, 2015, set aside the order of the CCI and remanded the matter back to the CCI for fresh adjudication and for passing a fresh order.
After hearing the matter, the CCI, by its order dated August 31, 2016, held that the cement companies and the Cement Manufacturers Association are guilty and in violation of the Section 3(1) read with section 3(3)(a) and Sec 3 (3)(b) of the Competition Act and imposed a penalty of I 1,147.59 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 1,147.59 crore) on the Company.
The Company had appealed against the penalty to the COMPAT which granted a stay on November 07, 2016 with a condition to deposit 10% of the penalty amount, in the form of fixed deposit (the said condition has been complied with) and levy of interest of 12% p.a. in case the appeal is decided against the appellant (the "Interim order”). Interest amount on penalty as on March 31, 2025 is I 1,125 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 990.22 crore). Meanwhile, pursuant to the notification issued by Central Government on May 26, 2017, any appeal, application or proceeding before COMPAT is transferred to National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT).
NCLAT vide its order dated July 25, 2018, dismissed the Company's appeal and upheld the CCI's order. Against the above order of NCLAT, the Company appealed before the Hon'ble Supreme Court on September 12, 2018, which by its order dated October 05, 2018 had admitted the appeal and directed that the interim order passed by the COMPAT will continue in the meantime. Presently, the matter is pending for hearing with Hon'ble Supreme Court. Based on the advice of external legal counsel, the Company believes it has a strong case on merits for successful appeal in this matter. Accordingly, the Company is of the view that no provision is necessary in the financial statements.
b) In a separate matter, the Director, Supplies and Disposal, Haryana filed information that seven cement companies including the Company had allegedly engaged in collusive bidding in contravention of the Competition Act, 2002. The CCI by its order dated January 19, 2017, imposed a penalty of I 35.32 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 35.32 crore) on the Company.
The Company has filed an appeal against the order of the CCI before the COMPAT which had stayed the order of the CCI. The matter is now listed before the NCLAT and is pending for hearing.
Based on the advice of external legal counsel, the Company believes it has a strong case on merits for a successful appeal in this matter. Accordingly, the Company is of the view that no provision is necessary in the financial statements.
c) A matter wherein service tax department issued show cause notices for denial of cenvat credit with regard to service tax paid on outward transportation for sale to customers on Freight On Road (F.O.R.) basis, was classified as "possible" and accordingly I 81.59 crore was disclosed as contingent liability as on March 31, 2024. In the current year, the company has received favourable order from CESTAT Delhi for an identical case, basis which the company has reassessed it's position and determined that it has "remote" exposure with respect to these cases. Accordingly, pending cases amounting to I 79.58 crore has been classified from contingent liability to remote.
d) The Company has received demand notice from the Government of Tamil Nadu and an order by the Collector, Coimbatore seeking annual compensation for the period from April 01, 1997 to March 31, 2014 and April 01, 2014 to March 31, 2019, amounting to I 73.46 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 73.46 crore) and I 138.76 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 138.76 crore) respectively for use of the Government land for mining, which the Company occupies on the basis of the mining leases. The Company has challenged the demands by way of revision under the Mineral Concession Rules and has filed writ petitions before the Hon'ble High Court of Tamil Nadu at Chennai.
Pending the same the High Court of Tamil Nadu, in the group writ petitions of other cement manufacturers viz Dalmia Cements, Madras Cements and others, has passed a judgement allowing annual compensation to be collected by the state. The Company has filed a writ appeal against the judgement.
One of the above petition challenging the demand for the period April 01, 2014 to March 31, 2019, is disposed of against the Company by the High Court vide order dated December 14, 2021 in line with the above judgment. The Company has filed a writ appeal before the divisional bench of High Court against this judgement. The Hon'ble High Court vide its order dated January 08, 2025, inter alia granted a stay against the demands towards annual compensation for the period from April 01, 1997 to March 31, 2019.
The Company has assessed the matter as "possible”.
e) The Company was entitled to excise duty incentives for the assessment years 2006-07 to 2015-16 for its Gagal plant located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. ACC has been contending that the said incentives are in the nature of capital receipts and hence not liable to income tax.
Basis the favourable orders, at the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) level, matters amounting to 1 510.13 crore along with interest payable of I 103.81 crore has been re-assessed as remote, which was disclosed as contingent liability in March 2024.
f) The Company had availed sales tax incentives in respect of its new 1 MTPA Plant (Gagal II) under the Himachal Pradesh (HP) State Industrial Policy, 1991. The Company had accrued sales tax incentives aggregating 1 56.30 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 56.30 crore) during financial year 1995-96 to 2001-02. The Sales tax authorities introduced certain restrictive conditions in 1996 after commissioning of the unit stipulating that incentive is available only for incremental amount over the base revenue and production of Gagal I prior to the commissioning of Gagal II. The Company contends that such restrictions are not applicable to the unit as Gagal II is a new unit, as decided by the Hon'ble Supreme Court while determining the eligibility for transport subsidy vide order dated August 02, 2010. The Department recovered I 64.45 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 64.45 crore) (tax of I 56.30 crore and interest of I 8.15 crore) which is considered as recoverable in the books.
The HP Hon'ble High Court, had, in September 09, 2013, dismissed the Company's appeal. The Company has been advised by legal experts that there is no change in the merits of the Company's case. Based on such advice, the Company filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Hon'ble Supreme Court on November 13, 2013, which is pending for hearing. The Company has assessed the matter as "possible".
g) A matter wherein GST department issued show cause notices dated January 25, 2018 and February 01, 2018 for denial of unutilized CENVAT Credit of 'Clean Energy Cess' carried forward in the GST as Tran-1 in accordance with the provisions of Section 140(1) of the CGST Act, 2017. Considering judicial precedents and based on legal opinion, the Company has assessed the matter as "possible". Accordingly, 162.60 crore (March 31, 2024 162.60 crore) has been disclosed as contingent liability.
h) The Company has received demand notices in October 03, 2024 to deposit a sum of 1 137.65 crore and 1 8.06 crore for allegedly mining of limestone at Madukkarai without Environmental Clearance for the period from 2000-01 to 2019-20 pursuant to the judgment of Supreme Court in Common Cause v Union of India & Ors in case of other companies. The Company has challenged the demands by way of revision application under Section 30 of the Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 1957 before the Hon'ble Revisionary Authority, Ministry of Mines.
The Company contends that the mining operations were carried at Madukkarai on under a valid approvals from the statutory authorities as per EIA 1994 for the period prior to 2005 and the Company had applied and was granted Environmental Clearance in 2005. The Company has assessed the matter as "possible".
Note 44: Material demands and disputes considered as remote
Based on case by case assessment, the Group has disclosed certain matters below, where the outflow of resources embodying economic benefits has been assessed as remote.
a) The Company was eligible for certain incentives in respect of its investment towards modernisation and expansion of the Chaibasa cement unit under the State Industrial Policy of Jharkhand. Accordingly, the Company has made claims for refund of VAT paid during 2005 to 2014. However, no disbursals were made (except an amount of 1 7.00 crore representing part of the one time lumpsum capital subsidy claim of 1 15.00 crore) as the authorities have raised new conditions and restrictions. The Company had filed two writ appeals before the Jharkhand Hon'ble High Court against these conditions, restrictions and disputes.
Jharkhand Hon'ble High Court, while dealing with appeals by both the Company and the State Government allowed the Company's appeal while dismissing the Government's, appeal vide order dated February 24, 2015.
The Government of Jharkhand had filed an Special leave petition (SLP) in the Hon'ble Supreme Court which vide its interim order on August 14, 2015 stayed disbursement of 40% of the amount due. Consequently, as of date, the Company received 1 64.00 crore (March 31, 2024 - 1 64.00 crore) out of total 1 235.00 crore (March 31, 2024 - 1 235.00 crore) in part disbursement from the Government of Jharkhand. The company has recognised 1 179 crore with respect to the matter in the books
The Company is of the view and has been advised legally, that the merits are strongly in its favour and it expects that the SLP will be rejected upholding the order of Jharkhand Hon'ble High Court.
The Company has assessed the matter as "remote".
b) The Company is eligible for incentives for one of its cement plants situated in Maharashtra under a Package scheme of incentives of the Government of Maharashtra. The scheme inter alia, includes refund of royalty paid by the Company on extraction or procurement of various raw materials (minerals). The Department of Industries has disputed the Company's claim for refund of royalty basis interpretation of the sanction letter dated February 06, 2013 issued to the Company. The Company has accrued an amount of 1 133.00 crore (March 31, 2024 - 1 133.00 crore) for such incentive. The Company has filed an appeal before the Hon'ble Bombay High Court challenging the stand of the Government, which is admitted and pending before the High Court for hearing since December 11, 2014. The Company has assessed the matter as "remote".
c) The Company had set up a captive power plant ('Wadi TG 2') in the year 1995-96. This plant was sold to Tata Power Co Ltd, in the year 1998-99 and was subsequently repurchased from it in the year 2004-05. The Company had purchased another captive power plant ('Wadi TG 3', set up by Tata Power Co Ltd in the year 2002-03) in 2004-05. Both these power plants were eligible for tax holiday under the provisions of Section 80-IA of the Income-tax Act, 1961. The Income tax department has disputed the Company's claim of deduction under Section 80-IA of the Act, on the ground that the conditions prescribed under the section are not fulfilled. In case of Wadi TG 2, in respect of the demand of 1 56.66 crore (net of provision) (March 31, 2024 - 1 56.66 crore), the Company is in appeal before the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal(ITAT). In case of Wadi TG 3, demand of 1 115.62 crore (March 31, 2024 - 1 115.62 crore) was set aside by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal(ITAT) and department is in appeal against the said decision with High Court Bombay. The Company has assessed the matter as "remote".
d) One of the Company's cement manufacturing plants located in Himachal Pradesh was eligible under the State Industrial Policy for deferral of its sales tax liability based on Himachal Pradesh General sales tax (Deferred payment of tax) Scheme 2005. The State Excise and Taxation department disputed the eligibility of the Company to such deferment on the ground that the cement falls in the negative list. The disputed amount of I 82.37 crore is based on the computation of tax exemption benefit availed by the company (March 31, 2024 - I 82.37 crore). The Ld. Commissioner vide Notice dated June 02, 2012 alleged that the Deferment Certificates are illegal, improper, legally unsustainable and prejudicial to the Revenue. The impugned notice proposed to revise the Deferment Certificates.
The Company filed a writ petition before the Hon'ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh on May 05, 2012.
The case has been admitted and the hearing is in process. The Company has assessed the matter as "remote".
e) The Company was contesting the renewal of mining lease in state of Jharkhand for two of its quarries on lease. There was an unfavourable order by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case of another Company restricting the "deemed renewal" provision of captive mining leases. The Company received demand from district mining officer for I 881.00 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 881.00 crore) on October 05, 2015 as penalty for alleged illegal mining activities carried out by the Company during January 1991 to September 2014.
On January 02, 2015, the Central Government promulgated the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment) Ordinance, 2015 [subsequently enacted as Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2015 in March 2015] amending mining laws with retrospective effect, and decided that all leases granted prior to ordinance will deemed to have been automatically renewed until prescribed period therein.
The Company then filed a writ petition with High Court of Jharkhand for directing the State government to renew both the leases upto March 2030 as per the Ordinance. On October 31, 2015 the High Court passed an interim order in terms of Section 8A(5) of the Ordinance for quarry II extending the lease upto March 2030 permitting the Company to commence mining operations after depositing I 48.00 crore subject to the outcome of the petition filed by the Company.
The Company has assessed the matter as "remote".
f) The Company was contesting the demand before the Revisional Authority, Ministry of Mines raised by the State of Karnataka towards differential royalty of I 257 crore (March 31, 2024 I 502.71 crore) for the period from 1995-96 to 2022-23 calculated on the basis of a limestone to clinker conversion ration rather than the actual weighment of the limestone for the limestone mined at Wadi Mine. The Revisional Authority had vide an interim order dated October 29, 2024 directed the State Government to take steps to allow the Company to generate mining permits for the limestone mined at its Wadi Mine. The Company contends that calculation of royalty on the basis of a fixed notional ratio adopted by the State Government is arbitrary and without basis instead of the actual weighment of limestone.
The Company has filed a writ petition before the Karnataka High Court in September 10, 2024 seeking enforcement of the interim order of the Revisionary Authority and execution of supplementary mining lease deed. While the matter was pending, the State Government has formed a High Level Committee to examine the demands raised upon the Company. Taking note of this development, the High Court has directed the State Government to allow the Company to generate mining permits after the Company deposit I 125 crore which shall be subject to adjudication of the High Level Committee.
The Company has assessed the matter as "remote" as the adoption of a fixed notional ratio for computation of royalty payable instead of actual weighment is arbitrary and without basis.
g) The Company has received a demand notice from the Collector, Coimbatore in February 2025 seeking annual compensation for the period from April 01, 2019 to March 31, 2024 amounting to I 91.53 crore for use of the Government land for mining, which the Company occupies on the basis of the mining leases allotted by Government of Tamil Nadu. The Company has challenged the demand by way of a writ petition before the High Court of Tamil Nadu at Chennai on March 03, 2025. The Company contends that the State Government is not entitled to receive
annual compensation under Rule 72 of Mineral Concession Rules and further, no annual compensation could be levied upon the Company in any case once the mining operations were discontinued.
The Company has assessed the matter as "remote" as compensation under Rule 72 cannot be levied by the State Government on Govt. lands and particularly, since the mining operations had been discontinued since June 14, 2020.
h) In the year 2010-11 & 2011-12, the Rajasthan unit of the company sent cement as stock transfer to its branches outside the state and subsequently sold the cement from such branches outside the state to customers. The Rajasthan State Commercial Tax department has considered such stock transfer as sale and raised sales tax demand of I 76.61 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 76.61 crore). The matter is currently pending with Rajasthan State Tax Tribunal.
Considering judicial precedents and based on legal opinion, the Company has assessed the matter as "remote".
i) The Company has received in the current year, the GST department initiated proceedings under Section 73 of the CGST/BGST Act, 2017 alleging discrepancies in the financial year 2019-2020 with respect to excess ITC claims and mismatches in taxable supplies. A Show Cause Notice was issued on May 28, 2024, followed by a final order via DRC-07 on August 21, 2024. Subsequently, the Company filed a writ petition before the Patna High Court (CWJC No. 17748 of 2024), which set aside the order citing the absence of a personal hearing and accordingly remanded the case back to the Assessing Officer who again issued a new order dated March 03, 2025 and revised the demand to ' 50.16 crore. Considering judicial precedents and based on legal opinion, The Company has assessed the matter as "remote".
e) Transaction with related parties disclosed are exclusive of applicable taxes.
f) Transaction entered into with related party are made on terms equivalent to those that prevail in arm's length transactions and normal credit terms. The Company has not recorded any loss allowances for trade receivables from related parties. Outstanding balances at the end of the year are unsecured and interest free and settlement occurs in cash. There have been no guarantees provided or received for any related party receivables or payables.
Terms and conditions of transactions with related parties
The Company's material related party transactions and outstanding balances are with related parties with whom the Company routinely enters into transactions in the ordinary course of business. Outstanding balances at the year-end are unsecured and interest free and settlement occurs in cash other than disclosed in the financial statements. Transactions relating to dividends were on the same terms and conditions as applied to other shareholder.
Note 46. Segment reporting
As per para 4 of Ind AS 108 "Operating Segments”, if a single financial report contains both consolidated financial statements and the separate financial statements of the Parent Company, segment information may be presented on the basis of the consolidated financial statements. Thus, the information related to disclosure of operating segments required under Ind AS 108 "Operating Segments”, is given by the Company in Consolidated Financial Statements.
Note 48.
(i) The Company had invested I 38.10 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 38.10 crore) in equity shares of Lucky Minmat Limited (LML), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. In view of no mining activities being carried out in LML, ongoing litigation on transfer of lease rights and amendments brought in to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Amendment Act, 2021, the Company has reassessed the value of investments and accordingly, during the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company has recognised an impairment loss of I 38.10 crore in the value of investment.
(ii) The Company has investment in ACC Mineral Resources Limited (AMRL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of I 106.80 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 106.80 crore). AMRL, through its joint operations had secured development for four coal blocks allocated to Madhya Pradesh State Mining Corporation Limited. These allocations stand cancelled pursuant to the judgment of Supreme Court dated August 25, 2014 read with its order dated September 24, 2014.
Subsequent to the aforesaid cancellation, Bicharpur and Marki Barka being two of the four blocks were auctioned by the Government through Nominated Authority. In this connection, The Hon'ble Delhi High court in its judgment dated March 09, 2017 has said that "whatever has transpired after March 31, 2014 and goes towards affecting the quantum of compensation for mine infrastructure, must also be taken into account. Thereafter Ministry of Coal, Govt. of India issued notification in February 2018 to file fresh claim as per format issued by Nominated Authority. Accordingly a fresh claim of I 54 crore was filed with Ministry of Coal for reimbursement of expenses incurred up to the date of vesting order. The decision / valuation of our claim by Ministry of Coal is awaited. Re-auction/allocation process of other two coal blocks has not yet been carried out by the Ministry of Coal, Government of India.
The Company had assessed the recoverability of amount incurred on development of these coal blocks and accordingly part of the value of investment of I 42.81 crore was impaired in the earlier years. Based on the further assessment, above the Company has concluded that no further impairment is necessary as at the reporting date.
Note 49. Arrangements with Associates and Joint Ventures
(i) The Company has arrangements with an associate company, Alcon Cement Company Private Limited, whereby the Company sells clinker and purchases cement manufactured out of such clinker. While the transactions are considered as individual sale / purchase transactions for determination of taxable turnover and tax under GST laws. Considering the accounting treatment prescribed under various accounting guidance, revenue for sale (excluding GST) of such clinker of I 12.70 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 18.45 crore) has not been recognised as a part of the income but has been adjusted against cost of purchase of Cement so converted.
(ii) The Company has arrangement with a Joint venture company Aakaash Manufacturing Company Private Limited, whereby the Company purchases Ready Mix Concrete and sells that to external customers. While the transactions are considered as individual sale / purchase transactions for determination of taxable turnover and tax under GST laws, however, based on the terms of the arrangement and considering the accounting treatment prescribed under various accounting guidance, revenue for sale (excluding GST) of such Ready Mix Concrete to customer of I 106.03 crore (March 31, 2024 - I 112.68 crore) is adjusted against cost of purchase of Ready Mix Concrete and consideration is recognised on net basis.
(C) Fair Value Hierarchy
The Company uses the following hierarchy for determining and/or disclosing the fair value of financial instruments by valuation techniques:
Level 1: This level includes those financial instruments which are measured by reference to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: This level includes financial assets and liabilities measured using inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).
Level 3: This level includes financial assets and liabilities measured using inputs that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs). Fair values are determined in whole or in part, using a valuation model based on assumptions that are neither supported by prices from observable current market transactions in the same instrument nor are they based on available market data.
During the reporting period ending March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024, there was no transfer between level 1 and level 2 fair value measurement.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair values:
Level 1: Investment in Government securities, which are classified as FVTPL are measured based on market price at the reporting date
Level 2: Investments in liquid and short-term mutual funds, which are classified as FVTPL are measured using net asset values as declared by the Mutual fund at the reporting date multiplied by the quantity held. The fair value of forward foreign exchange contracts is calculated as the present value determined using forward exchange rates at the reporting date.
Level 3: The fair value of unquoted instruments is estimated by discounting future cash flow or price of recent transaction.
Fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured at fair value (but fair value disclosures are required)
The management consider the carrying values of Other Cash and cash equivalents, Bank balances other than cash and cash equivalents, investment in bonds, security deposits, loans and other financial assets, trade receivables, trade payables, security deposits and retention money and other financial liabilities (except derivative financial instruments) approximate their carrying amounts largely due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
Note 53: Financial risk management objectives and policies
Financial risk evaluation and management is an ongoing process within the Company. The Company has a system based risk management framework to identify, monitor, mitigate and minimize risks arising from financial instruments.
The Company is exposed to market, credit and liquidity risks. The Board of Directors ('Board') oversee the management of these risks through its Risk Management Committee. The Company's Risk Management policy has been formulated
by the Risk Management Committee and approved by the Board. The Policy articulates on the Company's approach to address uncertainties in its endeavour to achieve its stated and implicit objectives. It also prescribes the roles and responsibilities of the Company's management, the structure for managing risks and the framework for risk management. The framework seeks to identify, assess and mitigate risks in order to minimize potential adverse effects on the Company's financial performance.
All derivative activities for risk management purposes are carried out by specialist teams that have the appropriate skills, experience and supervision. It is the Company's policy that no trading in derivatives for speculative purposes shall be undertaken. The Board of Directors reviews and agrees on policies for managing each of these risks, which are summarised below. This note explains the sources of risk which the entity is exposed to and how the entity manages the risk.
(i) Credit risk
Credit risk is the risk that the counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Company is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (primarily trade receivables) and from its investing activities, including deposits placed with banks and financial institutions and other financial instruments.
Financial assets other than trade receivables
Credit risk from balances with banks and financial institutions is managed by the Company's treasury department in accordance with its policy. Surplus funds are parked only within approved investment categories with well defined limits. Investment category is periodically reviewed by the Company's Board of Directors.
Credit risk arising from short term liquid funds, other balances with banks and other cash equivalents is limited and no collaterals are held against these because the counterparties are banks and recognised financial institutions with high credit ratings assigned by the credit rating agencies. None of the financial instruments of the Company result in material concentration of credit risks.
Other financial assets mainly include incentives receivable from the government, loans and security deposits given. There are no indications that defaults in payment obligations would occur in respect of these financial assets.
Incentives receivable from the Government
The Company has manufacturing units in various states; mainly those in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand are eligible for incentives under the respective State Industrial Policy.
The Company has been accruing these incentives as refund claims in respect of VAT / GST paid.
The Company has estimated the expected credit loss based on time period to recover these incentives and carries a provision of I 204.53 crore as at March 31, 2025 (March 31, 2024 - I 171.42 crore).
The Company is confident about the ultimate realisation of the dues from the State Governments and there is no risk of default.
Trade receivables
Customer credit risk is managed as per the Company's established policy, procedures and control relating to customer credit risk management. Credit quality of a customer is assessed based on an extensive credit rating scorecard and individual credit limits are defined in accordance with this assessment. Outstanding customer receivables are regularly monitored. The requirement for impairment is analysed at each reporting date on an individual basis for major customers. The management is also monitoring the receivables levels by having frequent interactions with responsible persons for highlighting potential instances where receivables might become overdue.
Trade receivables consist of a large number of customers spread across India with no significant concentration of credit risk. Ongoing credit evaluation is performed on the financial condition of accounts receivable. The Company has adopted a policy of only dealing in creditworthy counterparties and obtaining collateral i.e. security deposit. No single customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company's net sales. Therefore, the Company does not expect any material risk on account of non-performance by any of its counterparties.
For Company's exposure to credit risk by age of the outstanding from various customers refer note - 12.
Expected credit loss assessment
For trade receivables, as a practical expedient, the Company compute credit loss allowance based on a provision matrix. The provision matrix is prepared based on historically observed default rates over the expected life of trade receivables and is adjusted for forward-looking estimates. At each reporting date, the historically observed default rates and changes in the forward-looking estimates are updated. Accordingly, loss allowances on trade receivables are measured using provision matrix at an amount equal to life time expected losses i.e. expected cash shortfall.
Credit impaired
For expected credit loss as at each reporting date the Company assesses position for the assets for which credit risk has not significantly increased from initial recognition, assets for which credit risk has increased significantly but are not credit impaired and for assets for which credit risk has increased significantly and are credit impaired. The Company assesses detrimental impacts on the estimated future cash flows of the financial asset including loans, receivables and other assets. Based on the assessment of the observable data relating to significant financial difficulty and creditworthiness of the counterparties, the management believes that there are no financial assets which are credit impaired except as disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
(ii) Liquidity risk
Liquidity risk is defined as the risk that the Company will not be able to settle or meet its obligations on time or at reasonable price. Prudent liquidity risk management implies maintaining sufficient cash and marketable securities and the availability of funding through an adequate amount of credit facilities to meet obligations when due. The Company's treasury team is responsible for liquidity, funding as well as settlement management. In addition, processes and policies related to such risks are overseen by senior management. Management monitors the Company's liquidity position through rolling forecasts on the basis of expected cash flows. The Company has investments in short term liquid funds and marketable government securities which can be redeemed at a very short notice and hence carry negligible liquidity risk.
Foreign currency risk
Foreign currency risk is the risk of impact related to fair value or future cash flows of an exposure in foreign currency, which fluctuate due to change in foreign exchange rates. The Company's exposure to the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates primarily relate to import of raw materials, fuels and capital items. Based on sensitivity analysis, the Company has well defined forex exposure threshold limit approved by Board of Directors, beyond which all forex exposure are fully hedged.
Foreign currency sensitivity
The following tables demonstrate the sensitivity into a reasonably possible change in exchange rates, with all other variables held constant.
A positive number below indicates an increase in profit where the I strengthens 5% against the relevant currency.
Notes:
a) Other financial liabilities includes deposits received from customers amounting to ' 699.26 crore (March 31, 2024'676.11 crore). These deposits do not have a contractual re-payment term but are repayable on demand. Since, the Company does not have an unconditional right to defer the payment beyond 12 months from reporting date, these deposits have been classified under current financial liabilities. For including these amounts in the above mentioned maturity analysis, the Company has assumed that these deposits, including interest thereon, will be repayable at the end of the next reporting period. The actual maturity period for the deposit amount and the interest thereon can differ based on the date on which these deposits are settled to the customers.
b) Other financial liabilities includes Security deposit from dealers, Payable towards purchase of Property, plant and equipment and Intangible assets (including hold and retention money) and others. (Refer note 25)
(iii) Market risk
Market risk is the risk that the fair value of future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk comprises of three types of risk: interest rate risks, currency risk and commodity risk.
Commodity price risk
Commodity price risk for the Company is mainly related to fluctuations in coal and pet coke prices linked to various external factors, which can affect the production cost of the Company. Since the energy costs is one of the primary costs drivers, any fluctuation in fuel prices can lead to variability in operating margin. To manage this risk, the Company take following steps:
1. Optimising the fuel mix, pursue longer term and fixed contracts where considered necessary.
2. Consistent efforts to reduce the cost of power and fuel by using both domestic and international coal and petcoke.
3. Use of alternative Fuel and Raw Materials (AFR) and enhancing the utilisation of renewable power including its onsite and offsite solar, wind, hydro power and Waste Heat Recovery System (WHRS).
Additionally, processes and policies related to such risks are reviewed and controlled by senior management and fuel requirements are monitored by the central procurement team.
Interest rate risk
Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate due to changes in market interest rates. The Company's exposure to the interest rate risk arises primarily from security deposit from dealers. The Company has not used any interest rate derivatives.
Note 54. Capital management
a) The Company's objectives when managing capital are to maximise shareholders value through an efficient allocation of capital towards expansion of business, optimisation of working capital requirements, expansion of manufacturing facilities (including through investments in / acquisition of subsidiaries ) and deployment of balance surplus funds on the back of an effective portfolio management of funds within a well defined risk management framework.
b) The management of the Company reviews the capital structure of the Company on regular basis to optimise cost of capital. As part of this review, the Board considers the cost of capital and the risks associated with the movement in the working capital.
c) For the purposes of the Company's capital management, capital includes issued capital, security premium and all other equity reserves attributable to the equity holders.
As stated in the below table, the Company is a debt free company with no borrowings. The Company is not subject to any externally imposed capital requirements.
Proposed dividends on equity shares:
Final dividend proposed for the year ended March 31, 2025 I 7.50 per share ( For the year ended March 31, 2024 I 7.50 per share).
Proposed dividends on equity shares are subject to approval at the annual general meeting and are not recognised as a liability.
Note 56:
The Competition Commission of India ("CCI”) initiated an investigation against cement companies in India including the Company regarding alleged anti-competitive behaviour and conducted search and seizure operations in December 2020 against few companies. The Director General (DG) of CCI in January 2021 sought information from the Company and the information sought was provided. In the previous year, CCI had sent the investigation report of the DG to the Company and directed the Company to file their suggestions / objections to the report. Company had submitted its responses and the matter is pending for hearing before CCI. The Company is of the firm view that it has acted and continues to act in compliance with competition laws. The Company believes that this does not have any impact on the financial statements.
Note 57: Exceptional items represent -
a) During the year ended March 31, 2025, in the matter relating to arbitration claim initiated by certain parties ("Claimants”) on the Company for termination (in the earlier years) of Cement Purchase Agreement ("CPA”) dated September 12, 2012 read with its Addendum dated October 15, 2012 and Memorandum of Understanding dated September, 2012, for long term contract for purchase of cement by the Company by setting up two Cement Grinding Units, the Company and Claimants have amicably and mutually settled all their pending disputes before the Arbitral Tribunal as per Tribunal order dated February 20, 2025.
Before the Tribunal Order dated February 20, 2025, the Claimants and the Company have entered into arrangement to settle the subsisting disputes including claims and counter claims between the parties and Company. The Company has settled the Claimants' claim by paying I 27 crore, towards disputes / claims. The arbitration amount paid to settle the dispute has been disclosed as an exceptional item in the Standalone Statement of Profit and Loss for the year.
b) As at year end, the Company has assessed the recoverable amounts of its certain Cement Plants which are non operational, over their useful lives based on the Cash Generating Units (""CGUs"") identified, as required under Ind AS 36, Impairment of Assets on the basis of their Value in Use by estimating the future cash inflows over the estimated useful life of such Cement Plants.
Basis such assessment, the management has identified carrying value of property, plant and equipment and right of use assets (tangible assets) of non-operational clinker manufacturing units at Wadi-1, Bargarh and Chaibasa, being impaired, based on unviable future business prospects and economic viability due to higher cost of manufacturing, shortage of raw material etc. The Company has carried out a review of the recoverable amount of the tangible assets used in clinker manufacturing facility at abovementioned three plants. The recoverable amount from such tangible assets is assessed to be lower than it's carrying amount and consequently an impairment loss of I 207.28 crore (including impairment loss on right of use assets of I 23.92 crore) has been recognised and disclosed as an exceptional item in the Standalone Statement of Profit and Loss for the year.
c) The Company had entered into the Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU”) with Camrose Realtors Private Limited, a related party to sell it's surplus land at Thane on "As is where is basis” (Held For Sale) on April 9, 2024 for a consideration of 1 385 crore subject to fulfilment of certain condition precedents including regulatory approvals. During the year ended March 31,2025, the Company has concluded the sale of land by entering into Conveyance deed dated March 25, 2025, after necessary approvals were received from the various government authorities. The land has been sold at an agreed consideration of 1 385 crore and sale consideration will be realised within six months period of Conveyance deed as per the MoU. The resultant net gain on disposal of Property, Plant and Equipment of I 369.01 crore is disclosed as exceptional item in the Standalone Statement of Profit and Loss for the year.
Note 58:
The code on Social Security, 2020 ('Code') relating to employee benefits during employment and post employment benefits received Presidential assent in September 2020. The Code has been published in the Gazette of India. Certain sections of the Code came into effect on May 03, 2023. However, the final rules/interpretation have not yet been issued. The Company will assess the impact of the Code when the final rules/interpretation comes into effect and will record any related impact.
Note 59: Acquisition of Companies
a) The Company has acquired remaining 55% of the voting share capital of Asian Concretes and Cements Private Limited ("ACCPL') along with its wholly-owned subsidiary Asian Fine Cements Private Limited ("AFCPL') for a cash consideration of 1422.63 crore. The Company has obtained control over ACCPL and AFCPL on January 8, 2024 ("acquisition date”) and accordingly the investment in ACCPL was classified as investment in subsidiaries. Post acquisition date, the Company has received 1 1.56 towards indemnification as per share purchase agreement.
b) During the year ended March 31 2025, the Company's Subsidiary, ACC Mineral Resources Limited ("AMRL”) has entered and executed a Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs) dated February 22, 2025 with the shareholders' of Akkay Infra Private Limited; Anantroop Infra Private Limited; Eqacre Realtors Private Limited; Foresite Realtors Private Limited; Krutant Infra Private Limited; Kshobh Realtors Private Limited; Prajag Infra Private Limited; Satyamedha Realtors Private Limited; Trigrow Infra Private Limited; Varang Realtors Private Limited; Victorlane Projects Private Limited; Vihay Realtors Private Limited; Vrushak Realtors Private Limited; Peerlytics Projects Private Limited and SPA dated March 11, 2025 with the shareholders' of West Peak Realtors Private Limited for acquiring 100% voting share capital of these fifteen companies for cash a consideration of 1 298.61 crore and AMRL has also provided funds through inter corporate deposits of 1 380.57 crore to these Companies. All these companies hold certain land parcels which are proposed to be developed for setting-up manufacturing facilities and certain land parcels have mining rights which are going to be developed as per the Company's future expansion plans.
AMRL has completed the acquisition of 13 Companies on February 27, 2025, 1 Company on February 28, 2025 and 1 Company on March 13, 2025 respectively. For the purpose of above acquisitions, the Company has invested in 0.01% Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) of 1 10 each of AMRL amounting to 1 636 crore during the year ended March 31, 2025.
Note 60:
During the financial year 2022-23, a short seller report ("SSR”) was published in which certain allegations were made on some of the Adani Group Companies. In this regard, certain writ petitions were filed with the Hon'ble Supreme Court ("SC”) seeking independent investigation of the allegations in the SSR and the Securities and Exchange Board of India ("SEBI”) also commenced investigation into the allegations made in the SSR for any violations of applicable SEBI Regulations. In this regard, during financial year 2023-24, SC appointed expert committee concluded its report finding no regulatory failure, in respect of applicable laws and regulations and SC by its order dated January 03, 2024, disposed off all matters of appeal relating to the allegations in the SSR (including other allegations) in various petitions including those relating to separate independent investigations. The SEBI also concluded its investigations in twenty-two of the twenty-four matters during the financial year 2023-24, and during the current year, management believes that balance two investigations have been concluded based on available information.
a) 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
b) Provide any guarantee, security or the like to or on behalf of the Ultimate Beneficiaries.
7 The Company does not have any transaction which is not recorded in the books of accounts that has been surrendered or disclosed as income during the year in the tax assessments under the Income Tax Act, 1961 (such as, search or survey or any other relevant provisions of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
8 The Company has not been declared a wilful defaulter by any bank or financial institution or other lender (as defined under the Companies Act, 2013) or consortium thereof, in accordance with the guidelines on wilful defaulters issued by the Reserve Bank of India.
9 The Company is in compliance with the number of layers prescribed under clause (87) of section 2 of the Companies Act, 2013 read with the Companies (Restriction on number of Layers) Rules, 2017 (as amended).
10 The Company has not given any loans or advances in the nature of loans to promoters, directors, KMPs and/ or related parties (as defined under Companies Act, 2013), either severally or jointly with any other person, that are repayable on demand, or without specifying any terms or period of repayment.
Note 63: Previous year's figures as disclosed below, have been regrouped and rearranged where necessary to conform to this year's classification.
The Company has reclassified the cost of royalty on minerals amounting to I 270.33 crore, as Cost of material consumed from classification under the other expenses. The reclassification of the cost of royalty on minerals has been given effect from April 01, 2024 and figures for the previous year presented in standalone financial statements have been accordingly regrouped. This reclassification does not have any impact on Company's financial statements.
Employee payables are reclassified from trade payable to other financial liabilities (current) amounting to I 72.24 crore, for better presentation and does not have any impact to net profits or on financial position presented in the standalone financial statements. The reclassification of the employee payables has been given effect from year ended March 2025 and accordingly figures for year ended March 31, 2024 presented in standalone financial statements have also been regrouped.
Income from Government incentive / grants including tax credits / refunds amounting to I 277.91 crore has been disclosed separately in these standalone financial statements as "Government Grants including duty credits/refunds”. The reclassification has been given effect during the year ended March 2025 and accordingly figures for year ended March 31, 2024 presented in standalone financial statements have also been regrouped. This reclassification does not have any impact on Company's financial statements.
Note 64: Audit Trail
The Company uses 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 accounting software except the audit trail feature is enabled, for certain direct changes to SAP application and its underlying HANA database when using certain privileged / administrative access rights where the process is started during the year, stabilised and enabled with effect from March 25, 2025. Further, there is no instance of audit trail feature being tampered with in respect of the accounting software where such feature is enabled.
Additionally, the audit trail of relevant prior years has been preserved for record retention to the extent it was enabled and recorded in those respective years by the Company as per the statutory requirements for record retention.
Note 65: Figures below the amount of I 50,000 have not been disclosed Note 66:Events occuring after the Balance Sheet Date
The Company evaluates events and transactions that occur subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to approval of the financial statements to determine the necessity for recognition and / or reporting of any of these events and transactions in the financial statements. As on April 24, 2025, there are no material subsequent events to be recognized or reported.
As per our report of even date attached For and on behalf of the Board of Directors of ACC Limited,
For S R B C & CO LLP KARAN ADANI VINOD BAHETY
Chartered Accountants Chairman Wholetime Director & Chief Executive Officer
ICAI Firm Registration No. 324982E/E300003 DIN: 03088095 DIN:09192400
per Santosh Agarwal BHAVIK PARIKH RAKESH KUMAR TIWARY
Partner Company Secretary Chief Financial Officer
Membership No. 093669 Membership No. A40719
Ahmedabad Ahmedabad
Date: April 24, 2025 Date: April 24, 2025
|