logo
HUL receives shareholder's nod for ice-cream biz demerger

HUL receives shareholder's nod for ice-cream biz demerger

Time of Indiaa day ago
FMCG major HUL has received shareholders' nod to demerge its ice cream business, which owns brands like
Kwality Wall's
,
Cornetto
and
Magnum
, into an independent listed entity.
With this,
Hindustan Unilever Ltd
(HUL) has taken one step closer to its goal to demerge its ice cream business.
The majority of its shareholders have voted in favour of the resolution over the "Scheme of Arrangement between
Hindustan Unilever
Limited, Kwality Wall's", the FMCG major said while sharing the scrutiniser's report.
"The Resolution for approval of the Scheme of Arrangement amongst HUL, Kwality Wall's (India) Ltd and their respective shareholders, as set out in the Notice dated 7th July 2025, has been passed by the Members by requisite majority, pursuant to Section 230(6) of the Companies Act, 2013, through remote e-voting and e-voting at the Meeting," it said.
HUL has called for a meeting of its shareholders as per the directions of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT).
According to the report, 99.99 per cent of the votes polled were cast in favour of the proposal. The process was virtually conducted through a remote e-voting facility on Tuesday.
Last month, the CFO of the company said he expects the demerger process to be completed in the current fiscal and subsequent listing of the new entity on the exchanges.
All existing shareholders of the FMCG major will receive shares in the new entity in proportion to their shareholding in HUL in a ratio of 1:1.
This demerger follows the decision of its global parent entity, Unilever's global separation from the ice-cream business.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Assam Rolls Out Arms Licence Portal: What Are The Gun Laws In India
Assam Rolls Out Arms Licence Portal: What Are The Gun Laws In India

NDTV

time6 hours ago

  • NDTV

Assam Rolls Out Arms Licence Portal: What Are The Gun Laws In India

The Assam government has launched a portal where indigenous communities in the state's sensitive and remote regions can apply for licences to possess arms. The measure aims to boost the security of 'original inhabitants or indigenous Indian citizens' in vulnerable border areas. Under the scheme, applications will undergo a strict multi-layered scrutiny before they can own guns. Approved in May, the Cabinet cleared arms licences for border and remote area residents facing security threats. Can You Get A Gun Licence In India? The Arms Act, 1959, in India regulates the possession, sale, and use of firearms and ammunition. Here are the statutory foundations for obtaining a licence: Sections 3 and 4 establish the requirement for a licence to acquire or possess firearms and ammunition. Section 13 specifically entrusts licensing authorities (typically the District Magistrate or Commissioner of Police) with granting licences. Sections 15-17 govern the duration, renewal, and authority to vary, suspend, or revoke licences. Sections 14-16 cover grounds for refusal, fees, and administrative procedures. The Arms Rules, 2016, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), explain how the Arms Act, 1959, works. They give details on who can get a gun licence, what documents are needed, how to apply or renew, and which weapons are allowed or banned. Who Can Apply For A Gun Licence? The Ministry of Home Affairs says: Manufacturers: Indian companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013, owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens (with specific conditions for FDI beyond 49%). Individuals: Citizens, sportspersons, and institutions for fresh licences (Forms II, III, IV) or renewals. Dealers: Individuals or firms applying for dealer licences (Forms VIII & VIII A). As per Arms Rules, 2016 (Rule 20(3)), licence for permissible arms/ammunition may be given to: Persons with genuine need to protect life/property due to job, business, or other reasons. Dedicated sports shooters active in a licensed shooting club for at least two years. Serving or ex-members of Defence, CAPF, or State Police with a genuine need for protection. Documents Required For A Gun Licence Founding company documents (MoA, AoA, Certificate of Registration, CIN, PAN, address proof). Director details: DIN, ID proof (Aadhaar/Passport/Voter ID/PAN), residence proof, photographs. Latest balance sheet, net-worth certificate, project outlay and financing plan (certified by CA). Board resolution authorising application and responsible person's details. Details of arms/ammunition to be manufactured or proof-tested. Proof of land, utilities, and site readiness for manufacturing/proof-testing facility. Applications are submitted in prescribed forms via the National Database of Arms Licences (NDAL) online portal, and processed by the District Magistrate or Commissioner of Police as the licensing authority. Fees Structure Form I (licence for certain firearms)- Rs 2000 grant, Rs 1000 yearly renewal, Rs 3000 for three years. Form II (similar licence) - Rs 1000 grant, Rs 1000 yearly renewal, Rs 3000 for three years. Forms III, IV, V (covers most firearms) - Most firearms Rs 1000 grant, Rs 500 yearly renewal, Rs 1500 for three years; semi-auto/restricted rifles Rs 1000 grant, Rs 1000 yearly renewal, Rs 3000 for three years; swords/other category V weapons Rs 500 grant, Rs 100 yearly renewal, Rs 300 for three years. Licence Is Given For For smooth-bore guns with a barrel length of not less than 20 inches for protection, sport, or crop protection. For a loading gun for crop protection (other smooth bore allowed if needed). For .22 bore rifle or air rifle for target practice (must be member of a licenced/recognised rifle club). For other firearms if there is a good reason.

Rural sector, small towns boost FMCG Q1 sales by 14%, small packs rule
Rural sector, small towns boost FMCG Q1 sales by 14%, small packs rule

Mint

time14 hours ago

  • Mint

Rural sector, small towns boost FMCG Q1 sales by 14%, small packs rule

Mumbai: India's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry reported a 13.9% year-on-year (y-o-y) sales growth in value terms and a 6% rise in volumes during the quarter ended June, powered by sustained rural demand and a steady urban revival, according to global marketing research firm NielsenIQ (NIQ). The market recorded a 7.4% increase in prices during the period, with unit growth outpacing the overall volume growth, signaling a stronger consumer preference for smaller packs, the firm said. This points to the affordability factor in the sector, especailly in rural areas and smaller towns. 'The Indian FMCG sector continues to demonstrate resilience, with rural markets leading the charge for six consecutive quarters. While urban recovery is gaining traction, particularly in smaller towns, rural demand remains the cornerstone of volume expansion," said Sharang Pant, head of FMCG customer success at NIQ in India. In the March quarter, the country's FMCG sector had reported a y-o-y rise of 11% in value, 5.1% in volume and 5.6% in prices, according to NielsenIQ. 'With inflation easing and a favourable monsoon forecast, the outlook for consumption remains optimistic. However, sustaining this momentum will require deeper channel engagement and sharper, value-led propositions…" Pant said. 'Additionally, the rapid rise of small manufacturers outpacing overall industry growth highlights shifting market dynamics and intensifying competition." Rural India has outpaced the urban regions in volume growth for six consecutive quarters, recording an 8.4% increase in volumes compared to 4.6% in the urban areas. However, the gap is narrowing as urban areas show signs of sequential recovery. This resurgence is primarily driven by smaller towns. In the June quarter, food consumption largely remained stable with a 5.5% volume growth, driven by the staples and impulse categories. Home and personal care (HPC) saw a stronger momentum, with 7.5% consumption growth. 'E-commerce continues its upward trajectory, gaining ground on modern trade (MT) in eight metros. Even though e-commerce accounts for just 11-13% of the FMCG value share in metros, it's already delivering more than half of the omnichannel growth," NIQ said. 'Despite the pullback of quick commerce dark stores, June quarter consumption in e-commerce surged—driven by higher shopper penetration and consistent spending, even among new shoppers." The growth trend cited by NIQ report is in line with the positive commentary from large listed FMCG companies in the June quarter. Last month, Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) pointed to resilience and improvement in both urban and rural informal sectors. The company reported a 4% jump in its June quarter consolidated volumes. Rohit Jawa, HUL's outgoing chief executive officer and managing director, had then said that several key factors are expected to boost consumer spending, including income tax rebates, lower interest rates that will ease personal loan burden, and softening food inflation. Consequently, HUL expects the first half of the current fiscal year to outperform the latter half of the previous one, Jawa had told reporters last month. Last week, Saugata Gupta, managing director and chief executive offficer of Marico Ltd, had said the FMCG sector was seeing stable-to-improving demand trends. 'Looking ahead, we anticipate a gradual uptick in overall demand patterns in the quarters ahead, aided by a combination of easing inflation levels, favourable monsoon season and continued policy support," Gupta said. Gupta had said India's rural demand was fairly resilient due to good monsoon rains and government's minimum support price for key crops, while the urban demand was linked to food inflation. 'Urban demand is improving… I don't think the consumption was that muted. Especially now that food inflation has come down, along with some part of the entire tax break; people will use part of that money to pay off EMIs (equated monthly instalments for loans), buy durables, better cars, upgrade mobile phones or towards entertainment…" Gupta had said in a separate interview with Mint last week. 'As a result, you have to innovate and continue to grow," he added.

Sebi drafts rewrite of 30-year-old broker rules for a tech-first market
Sebi drafts rewrite of 30-year-old broker rules for a tech-first market

Mint

timea day ago

  • Mint

Sebi drafts rewrite of 30-year-old broker rules for a tech-first market

The Securities and Exchange Board of India on Wednesday proposed a comprehensive rewrite of its 30-year-old Stock Brokers Regulations to simplify compliance and align the rules with today's tech-driven markets. The capital markets regulator has invited public comments until 3 September. The draft regulation, meant to replace the 1992 framework, consolidates years of circulars into the main regulations and harmonizes provisions with newer laws like the Companies Act, 2013. The 1992 regulations were built for a market of physical paperwork, slower settlements, and fewer retail participants. Sebi's working group recommended a clearer, streamlined framework that reflects electronic trading, rapid settlement cycles and the scale of modern retail investing. This proposal is in line with the Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey's emphasis on optimizing regulations. The Association of National Exchanges Members of India (ANMI) informed Mint that it is reviewing the proposals and will send in its comments to Sebi in due course of time. In its paper, Sebi has introduced formal definitions for key participants and practices, such as algorithmic trading, execution-only platforms for direct mutual fund transactions and proprietary trading, to keep the rules technology-neutral. The consultation paper states that record-keeping can be done in electronic form across the board, acknowledging the end of physical share delivery and easing archival burdens. It suggested that stock brokers can route key intimations and filings through exchanges and outdated registers tied to broker-to-broker dealings within the same exchange will be eliminated. The index and forms of the regulations have also been cleaned up to remove the defunct sub-broker category and duplicative disclosures, with the 'fit and proper' declarations folded into application forms. Sebi has proposed that brokerages that are structured as companies must have at least one designated director resident in India for 182 days in a financial year to anchor accountability. Additionally, material changes in information provided at registration would need prompt intimation through the stock exchanges where the broker is a member. To be clear, Sebi proposed that any change in control of a brokerage will require prior Board approval, routed through one of the stock exchanges where the broker is a member. Legal experts who represent brokers said this framework centralizes the approval process, reduces procedural ambiguity and strengthens regulatory supervision over broker governance. 'This centralized approval framework enhances supervisory clarity and investor protection by tightening governance around ownership transitions,' said Ketan Mukhija, senior partner at Burgeon Law. Others said that informing about change of control to the Board and exchanges is an important change, as the information will protect the clients of the broking companies. 'The intent is to align the procedure, rules and regulations for a transparent environment. Information regarding any material change from information already submitted at the time of registration will have to be submitted to the Board as well,' said Nirali Mehta, partner at Mindspright Legal. The draft codifies core duties that had been set out through circulars. Those include strict segregation and upstreaming of client funds and collateral, robust KYC and order evidence, confidentiality of client data, and participation in Sebi's Online Dispute Resolution platform, among others. Sebi has specified that the 'Qualified Stock Broker' (QSB) tag will be assigned using five measurable parameters: active clients, client assets, trading volumes, end-of-day client margin obligations, and proprietary volumes. The regulator has proposed dropping qualitative scores on compliance and grievance redressal as entry criteria. Along with the regulator, the exchanges, clearing corporations, and depositories would now have explicit powers to conduct inspections, including joint inspections to avoid duplication. Sebi also proposed a calibrated power to relax strict enforcement in limited circumstances, such as technical or procedural hardship, sector irrelevance, or broader factors beyond a class of persons' control, subject to reasoned orders. Aiming to modernize fee schedules, the regulator proposed removing archaic references from the 1990s and aligning collection through exchanges and recognized infrastructures, with the provision for interest levy for delays.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store