A member of the Institute in practice who is entitled
(i) to issue compliance certificate pursuant to the proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 383A of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956); and/or
(ii) to sign an Annual Return pursuant to the proviso to subsection (1) of Section 161 of the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956),
shall be deemed to be guilty of professional misconduct if he –
– issues compliance certificates; and/or
– signs Annual Return
for more than eighty companies in aggregate, in a calendar year.
Provided, however, that in the case of a firm of Company Secretaries, the ceiling of eighty companies aforesaid would apply to each partner therein who is entitled to (i) sign the compliance certificate in terms of the proviso to Sub-section (1) of Section 383A of the Companies Act, 1956; (ii) sign Annual Return in terms of the proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 161 of the Companies Act, 1956.
These Guidelines are effective from 1st January, 2008.