Pune (P&V news service):- I.The Institute is organizing its 23rd National Conference of Practicing Company Secretaries, in Lonavala, on the theme “Company Secretary – A Preferred Professional” on June 18-19, 2022.
“The Conference is aimed at exploring the renewed role and responsibility of Practicing Company Secretaries in the wake of changing dynamics of the regulatory environment. It will provide a platform for enhancing capacities and exchanging views/ideas on important matters related to the profession so that as value-driven professionals, Company Secretaries are equipped to shoulder the responsibility of the Regulatory Authorities.” said CS Devendra Deshpande.
On this occasion CS Ashish Mohan, Secretary ICSI, CS Manish Gupta, Vice President ICSI, CS Devendra Deshpande, President ICSI,CS Rajesh Tarpara, Chairman WIRC,CS Sanjay Patare, Chairman , Pune Chapter of WIRC of ICSI were present at the occasion.
II. ICSI SPECIAL PROGRAMME ON AZADI KA AMRIT MAHOTSAV UNDER MCA ICONIC WEEK.
ICSI celebrated Azadi Ka AmritMahotsav under MCA Iconic Week in the august presence of Shri Kiren Rijiju, Hon’ble Minister of Law & Justice, and Shri Rajesh Verma IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs on June9, 2022.
An in-depth and detailed deliberation on the theme was organised through two technical sessions on:
- India@75: Expanding Role of Governance Professionals
- Bharat – A Vishwaguru in promoting Good Governance.
III. 1st INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ICSI OVERSEAS CENTRES
The ICSI maneuveredyet another opportunity for knowledge sharing and organizedits1st International Conference of ICSI Overseas Centre on March 23, 2022, in Dubai.
The theme of the conference was “Redefining Good Governance: Innovation, Compliance, Sustainability, and Inclusion” which set forth a channel of discussions from across economies and helped in understanding the intricacies of statutes of both the jurisdictions. The Conference witnessed a galaxy of international speakers and delegates from the Professional Fraternity, Corporate Houses, and Regulatory Authorities, who deliberated on the emerging technologies for thriving in environments of disruption, uncertainty, and change.
IV. ICSI DIGITAL REVOLUTION
E-Learning Revolution The Institute has completely transformed its remote learning landscape into real-time by conducting a series of focused webinars, rolling out various online Self-Assessment Modules, Crash Courses, Certificate Courses, and providing Free Video Lectures, to upskill its members and students, since the year 2020.
Besides moving all offline training for students to the virtual platform, the Institute also introduced an e-credit hour facility for members, since the lockdown for their continued professional development.
Facilitating ICSI members through personalized Digi locker
Digitization necessitated the requirement of Electronic Documents. ICSI having joined the Digi Locker Platform of the Government of India in October 2019, is now allowing its members to download and save their Identity Cards, Associate and Fellow Certificates, and Certificates of Practice from the Digi locker anytime, anywhere.
UDIN The ICSI UDIN or Unique Document Identification Number is a system-generated alpha numeric number that provides ease of maintaining the Register of Attestation/ Certification Services rendered by practicing members. UDIN ensures compliance with the Guidelines issued by the Institute with respect to ceilings on the number of certification/attestation services.
eCSin ICSI launched the Employment Specific Unique Identification Number of a Company Secretary (eCSin), a random alphanumeric number generated at the time of appointment and at the time of demitting office. eCSin brings greater transparency, ensures better governance, and facilitates verification of the authenticity of employment of Company Secretaries.
V. RECOGNITIONS
Company Secretary Qualification is considered equivalent to PG Degree
The University Grants Commission, India, has recognized the Company Secretary Qualification as equivalent to Post Graduate Degree
Recognition to Company Secretary in Practise under Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules, 2021
Every entity, covered under sub-rule (1), that intends to undertake any CSR activity, shall register itself with the Central Government by filing the form CSR-1 electronically with the Registrar, verified digitally by a Company Secretary in Practice or a Chartered Accountant in practice or Cost Accountant in practice.
Company Secretary authorized to conduct due diligence and certify the shareholders
SEBI has authorized a Peer-Reviewed Company Secretary to conduct due diligence under Regulation 10 (3) and to certify the shareholders under Proviso to Regulation 21 (a) of SEBI (Delisting of Equity Shares) Regulations, 2021.
Company Secretary to be appointed as “Compliance Officer” under Regulation 130 of IFSCA
International Financial Services Authority (IFSCA) has recognized Company Secretary as Compliance Officer, to be appointed under Regulation 130 of IFSCA (Issuance and Listing of Securities) Regulations, 2021.
IFSCA recognition and authorization to Company Secretary in Practise
Company Secretary in Practise has been authorized:
·To certify all the requirements of the IFSCA Act, 2019;
·To certify the net worth certificates of IFSC Insurance Intermediary Office (IIIO)
·To conduct an annual audit of Capital Market Intermediaries and issue a Net-Worth Certificate to the applicant willing to register as Capital Market Intermediaries with the IFSCA
· To certify the average annual turnover and net worth of the entity, which is required to fulfil the conditions as mentioned in the said circular to act as a “Qualified Jeweller”
Recognition under SEBI for Company Secretary in Practise
SEBI authorizes Company Secretary in practice to provide a Certificate of Compliance
·To Registrars to an Issue and Share Transfer Agents (RTA)
·To the issuer certifying that the proposed preferential issue is being made in accordance with the SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018.
Recognition by Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
The Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution has mandated under Rule 5(1)(g) ofthese Rules that every Direct Selling Entity shall get all information provided by it on its website duly certified by a Company Secretary.
VI. EXPANDING BOUNDARIES
ICSI Overseas Centres With its Vision “to be a global leader in promoting good Corporate Governance” and its Mission “to develop high caliber professionals facilitating good Corporate Governance”, the Institute has set forth its foot in the international arena by setting up ICSI Overseas Centres in UAE, USA, UK, Singapore, and Australia.
The Centres would augment professional opportunities for ICSI members and facilitate practical training for students, besides assisting ICSI in conducting its examinations in these countries.
VII. INITIATIVES FOR STUDENTS
Implementation of New training Structure under CS (Amendment) Regulations, 2020
The Institute, implemented its New Training Structure on 3rd February 2021, as per Regulation 46BA and 46BB under The Company Secretaries (Amendment) Regulations, 2020. Highlights of the new training structure are:
·One-month Executive Development Programme (EDP)
The Executive passed students are required to undergo a One Month Executive Development Programme (EDP) that would equip them for the mandatory Practical Training in the industry / with Practicing Company Secretary.
·Practical Training
The students are required to undergo 21 months of practical training, with the Industry/Practicing Company Secretary and other entities after completion of their one-month EDP.
· Corporate Leadership Development Programme (CLDP)
After completion of the Professional Programme Examination and Practical Training, the students are required to undergo the Corporate Leadership Development Program (CLDP) for honing their Communication, Legal, Managerial and IT acumen.
VIII.ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS
International Commerce Olympiad – MoU with Science Olympiad Foundation
In an attempt to create awareness about the profession of Company Secretaries among school Students, the Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Science Olympiad Foundation for conducting the International Commerce Olympiad recently.
ICSI Academic Connect
The Institute introduced the ICSI Academic Connect to collaborate with various IIMs, National Law University, and Institutions of national repute to impart knowledge and acuminate skills of students, academicians, and professionals. Under the collaboration, the toppers of specific programmes of these Universities/Institutes will be awarded ICSI Signature Award Gold Medal and a scholarship to pursue the Company Secretary Course. The MoU would facilitate a comprehensive partnership in the areas of joint academic research, joint workshops, professional development & faculty development programmes along with sharing of resources and participation in conferences, workshops, and seminars.
IX. ICSI SOCIAL INITIATIVES
Concession in Fees for Students who lost their Parents
To support such students, who lost their parents/legal guardian/adoptive parents due to any reason and to help them continue their education, the Institute has decided to grant a one-time concession in fees while registering for the CS Executive Programme.
Shaheed Ki Beti Certificate
Under this unique initiative, ICSI presents certificates to the dignitaries/guest/faculty members with a certificate of an amount and an equivalent amount is donated to a girl child of the martyrs to financially support her higher education or for any other purpose.
Blood Bank Portal
The covid-19 pandemic called for a heightened effort to support the nation and its fellow citizens. ICSI with its dedicated Blood Bank Portal provided easy access to those in need and those who were willing to donate blood.
ICSI Students Education Fund Trust
The Institute has created ‘ICSI Students Education Fund Trust’ to encourage and motivate academically bright but economically backward students to pursue CS Course thus contributing to the objectives of nation-building and social responsibility.
