Variation of shareholders rights

The rights, duties and liabilities of all shareholders are clearly defined at the time of issue of the shares. Once the rights of shareholders are fixed, they cannot be altered unless the provisions of the Companies Act for this purpose are complied with. The rights attached to the shares of any class can be varied only with the consent in writing of shareholders holding not less than 75 % of the issued shares of that class or with the sanction of special resolution passed at a separate meeting of the holders of issued shares of that class. However, the following conditions also must be complied with: -

1.The variation of rights are allowed by the Memorandum or Articles of Association of the Company.

2.In absence of such provision in the Memorandum or Articles of company, such variation must not be prohibited by the terms of issue of shares of that class.

Rights of Dissenting Shareholders:

The rights of the shareholders who did not consent to or vote for variation of their rights are protected by the Companies Act. If the rights of any class of the shareholders are varied, the holders of not less than 10 per cent of the shares of that class, being persons who did not consent to or vote in favor of resolution for variation of their rights can apply to the court to have the variation cancelled. Where such application is made to the court, such variation will not be given effect unless and until it is confirmed by the court.

Voting Rights of the Members

Every member of a public company limited by shares holding equity shares will have votes in proportion to his share in paid up equity capital of the company.

Generally, preference shareholders do not have any voting rights. However, they can vote on matters directly relating to the rights attached to the preference share capital. Any resolution for winding up of the company or for the reduction or repayment of the share capital shall be deemed to affect directly the rights attached to preference shares. Where the preference shares are cumulative (in respect of dividend) and the dividend thereon has remained unpaid for an aggregate period of two years before date of any meeting of the company, the preference shareholders will have right to vote on any resolution. In case of non-cumulative preference shares, preference shareholders have right to vote on every resolution if dividend due on their capital remains unpaid, either in respect of period of not less than two years ending with the expiry of the financial year immediately preceding the commencement of the meeting or in respect of aggregate period of not less than three years comprised in six years ending with the expiry of concerned financial year.

Every equity shareholder has a right to vote at a general meeting. No company can prohibit any member from exercising his voting right any ground including the ground that he has not held his shares for a minimum period before he becomes eligible to vote. However, a member’s voting rights can be revoked if that member does not make payment of calls or other sums due against him or where the company has exercised the right of lien on his shares.