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Question

Securities Premium Account can be used only for the following purposes:
(A) To issue partly paid bonus shares to the extent not exceeding unissued share capital of the company;
(B). Buy back of own shares.
(C). To write-off the expenses of, or commission paid, or discount allowed on any securities of the company;
(D). To pay premium on the redemption of preference shares or debentures of the company.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

The correct answer is
(B), (C) and (D) only

Understanding Securities Premium Account Uses

The Securities Premium Account, often called the Share Premium Account, is a specific type of capital reserve created when a company issues its shares at a price higher than their nominal (face) value. This excess amount received is credited to the Securities Premium Account. The Companies Act, 2013, in Section 52, specifies the exact purposes for which this account can be utilized. It is crucial to understand these permitted uses for proper financial management and compliance.

What is the Securities Premium Account?

When shares are issued at a premium, the amount received above the face value is credited to the Securities Premium Account. For example, if a company issues 100 shares of a nominal value of 10 each at a premium of 5 per share, the issue price is 15 per share. The total amount received is 100 * 15 = 1500. Out of this, 100 * 10 = 1000 is credited to the Share Capital Account, and the remaining 100 * 5 = 500 is credited to the Securities Premium Account.

Analyzing Allowed Uses of Securities Premium

Let's examine each statement provided in the question to determine if it represents a valid use of the Securities Premium Account according to Section 52 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Validity of Issuing Partly Paid Bonus Shares

Statement (A) suggests using the Securities Premium Account to issue partly paid bonus shares. This is generally not a permitted use. The Act allows the premium to be applied towards issuing fully paid bonus shares, but the specific wording "partly paid bonus shares" and the limitation mentioned make this option invalid as a direct application of premium funds for issuing such shares.

Permitted Use: Buy-back of Own Shares

Statement (B) relates to the buy-back of the company's own shares. Section 68 of the Companies Act, 2013, permits a company to use its free reserves, including the Securities Premium Account, for the buy-back of its shares. Therefore, this is a valid application.

Permitted Use: Writing-off Expenses on Securities

Statement (C) concerns writing off the preliminary expenses, expenses incurred or commission paid on any issue of securities, or the discount allowed on any issue of debentures or preference shares. Section 52(2)(c) explicitly allows the Securities Premium Account to be used for these purposes. This is a valid use.

Permitted Use: Paying Premium on Redemption

Statement (D) involves paying the premium payable on the redemption of any redeemable preference shares or of any debentures of the company. Section 52(2)(d) permits the use of Securities Premium for this purpose. Thus, this is also a valid application.

Summary of Securities Premium Account Usage

Based on the analysis of the Companies Act, 2013, the following are the permitted uses of the Securities Premium Account:

Purpose Permitted Use?
Issue partly paid bonus shares No
Buy back of own shares Yes
Write-off expenses/commission/discount on securities Yes
Pay premium on redemption of preference shares/debentures Yes

Final Answer: Securities Premium Usage

From the analysis, statements (B), (C), and (D) describe valid uses of the Securities Premium Account. Statement (A) is not a permitted use. Therefore, the correct option is the one that includes only (B), (C), and (D).

The correct combination of permitted uses is (B), (C), and (D) only.

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Important Questions from Shares

  1. Discount allowed on the reissue of forfeited shares cannot exceed

  2. Rate of return on equity share capital is calculated after deducting _____ and _____ from the net profit before interest.

  3. Which of the following statements are true?

    1. A company cannot purchase its own equity shares.

    2. A company can issue its shares at a discount by passing a special resolution.

    3. The interest rate charged on calls-in-arrear and the interest rate payable on calls-in-advance are the same as per provisions of Table-F of Schedule-I of the Companies Act, 2013.

  4. Identify the correct sequence of activities involved in the process of buy back of shares.

    A. Letter of offer to the shareholders.

    B. Opening of bank account.

    C. Approval for Extra-ordinary General Meeting.

    D. Convening board meeting.

    E. Declaration of Solvency.

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

  5. Identify the correct statements in context of equity financing.

    A. Borrowing limit increases as a consequence of increase in number of shares.

    B. Ordinary shares are generally not redeemable.

    C. Issue of new shares dilutes the EPS if the profits do not increase immediately in proportion to increase in number of shares.

    D. A company is not legally oblidged to pay dividend.

    E. Ordinary shares are less riskier from investor's perspective.

    Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

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