CODE OF CONDUCT
FOR
BOARD MEMBERS AND SENIOR MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL
Introduction:
• This Code of Conduct (“Code”) shall be
called "The Code of Conduct for Board Members and Senior
Management Personnel” of Morepen Laboratories Limited
(hereinafter referred to as “the Company”).
• The Code of Conduct (“Code”) lays down important
corporate values that shape the Company’s value system
and business practices and represents cherished values of the
Company.
• The Code also provides guidance to employees in recognizing
and dealing with important ethical and legal issues and fosters
a culture of honesty and accountability.
• The subject code has been framed specifically in compliance
with the provisions of clause 49 of the listing agreement with
stock exchanges.
Definitions & Interpretations:
• The term "Board Members" shall mean Directors
on the Board of Directors of the Company.
• The term “Whole-time Director” shall mean
Directors on the Board of Directors of the Company who are in
whole-time employment of the Company.
• The term “Part-time Director” shall mean
Directors on the Board of Directors of the Company who are not
in whole time employment of the Company.
• The term “Relative” shall have the same
meaning as defined in Section 6 of the Companies Act, 1956.
• In this code words importing the masculine gender shall
include feminine gender and words importing singular shall include
the plural or vice versa.
Applicability:
The Code is applicable to:
I. Members of the Board
II. Senior Management Cadre comprising CEO's
/ Executive Directors (not member of the Board), Vice Presidents
and General Managers both together referred to as "Officers"
hereafter.
Requirements:
Honest & Ethical Conduct
All the persons to whom this code applies shall act in accordance
with the highest standard of honesty, integrity, fairness and
ethical conduct while working for the Company as well representing
the Company without allowing their independent judgment to be
subordinated and fulfill the fiduciary obligations.
Conflict Of Interest
All persons to whom this code applies shall not involve themselves
in making any decision on a subject matter in which a conflict
of interest arises or could arise, between the personal interest
and the interest of the Company. In the event of apprehending
of such conflict of interest, the relevant facts shall be disclosed
in writing explaining the circumstances that create or could
create the conflicts of interest to: (a) Board of Directors
in case of Directors (whole-time & part-time) and (b) Chairman
& Managing Director in case of Senior Management Personnel
for further directions in the matter.
Corporate Opportunities
All persons to whom this code applies shall not exploit for
their own personal gain, opportunities that are discovered through
company’s business, information or position, unless the
opportunity is disclosed fully in writing to the Company’s
Board of Directors or Chairman & Managing Director as the
case may be.
Secret Profit
Members of the Board of Directors and the senior management
team shall not make any profit in the process of their dealings
in the matter of the company without knowledge of the Board
Outside Directorship
Any person to whom this code applies shall not serve as a Director
of any other Company or as a partner of a firm that competes
with the Company. (Whole Time Directors and Senior Management
Personnel shall obtain approval of the Chairman before accepting
Directorship of any other Company or partnership of a firm.)
Confidential And Proprietary Information
Any information concerning the Company’s business, its
customers, suppliers, etc, which is not in the public domain
and to which the Board Members and Senior Management Personnel
has access or possesses such information, must be considered
confidential and held in confidence, unless authorized to do
so and when disclosure is required as a matter of law. No Board
Members and Senior Management Personnel shall provide any information
either formally or informally, to the press or any other publicity
media, unless specifically authorized.
Compliance of the applicable Laws
The Board of Directors and the senior management staff should
comply with all the applicable legal provisions prescribed or
may be prescribed by the statutory authorities from time to
time.
Gifts
Any person to whom this code applies will not solicit any gifts
from their business relationships. He shall reject unsolicited
gifts that may be perceived as intended to influence any business
decision. Any gift which is consistent with customary business
practices, inexpensive gifts, corporate gifts, infrequent business
meals, celebratory events and entertainment, provided that they
are not excessive or create an appearance of impropriety, do
not violate this policy.
Acceptance of cash gift is prohibited.
Respect for peoples
All the officers are expected to treat co-employees and business
associates fairly and, irrespective of hierarchical level, with
dignity and respect. Being treated fairly means that employees
shall be judged on merits.
Senior Management Cadre must maintain an open line of communication
and to listen to all employees
Company Assets, Computer Network
Use and Security :
Any person to whom this code applies must make responsible
use of Company assets in their personal possession such as telephones,
computers and other hardware, software, Internet connection,
networks and the information that runs on them in a responsible
manner.
He must:
• Use telephone, computers and peripherals and internet
responsibly and primarily for legitimate business purposes any
personal usage should be reasonable and kept to a minimum.
• Protect the security of computer systems.
• Not engage in communications that might be considered
offensive, derogatory, defamatory, harassing, obscene or otherwise
vulgar.
• Not use Company communications systems to improperly
disseminate copyrighted or licensed materials, or proprietary
information.
• Not use Company communications systems to transmit chain
letters, advertisements or solicitations (unless authorized).
• Not visit inappropriate Internet sites; and
• Always protect information used to access computers,
networks or systems.
Company’s electronic communications system and information
are liable to be monitored for compliance with Company policy
and applicable laws. Employees must note that they are not entitled
to privacy privilege in respect of the same.
Acknowledgement of receipt of
the code
All Board Members and Senior Management Personnel shall acknowledge
the receipt of this code in the acknowledgement form annexed
to this Code (Appendix-II) indicating that they have received,
read and understood, and agreed to comply with the code and
send the same to the Company Secretary. New Persons joining
the organization and to whom this code applies will sign such
a deed at the time when their office begins.
Compliance with the Code
As a condition of employment / association with the Company,
Employees are expected to comply with and strictly adhere to
the standards of conduct contained in this Code and underlying
policies and procedures. When in doubt, this Code casts the
responsibility on the Employee to seek clarification and guidance
as to the proper course of conduct from relevant authority.
Employees who are aware of any misconduct under this Code, illegal
activity, fraud or abuse of Company assets must report such
matters to the Managing Director. The employees reporting any
misconduct shall be suitably protected and no unjust action
will be taken against any such employee for making such a report.
Certifications
In terms of clause 49 of the listing agreement ,Persons to
whom the Code is applicable shall within 30 days of close of
every financial year affirm compliance with the Code. A proforma
of Annual Compliance Report is annexed to this Code as Appendix-I.
The Annual Compliance Report shall be forwarded to the Company
Secretary of the Company.
The Managing Director will make a declaration in the annual
report for each year that the above affirmations have been received
from the Employees.
Waiver and Amendments of the code
No waiver of any of the provisions of this code shall be valid
unless, the Board of Directors of the Company approves such
waiver in case of Board members and by Chairman & Managing
Director in case of Senior Management Personnel
The provisions of this code can be amended by the Board of
Directors of the Company from time to time.
NON-COMPLIANCE
Suspected violations of this Code may be reported to the Chairman
& Managing Director of the Company or the Chairman of the
Audit Committee. All reported violations should be appropriately
investigated.
A director charged with a violation of this Code should not
participate in a vote of a Committee or the Board concerning
his/her alleged violation, but may be present at a meeting of
the Board or of a Committee convened for that purpose.
Penalty for Non-compliance
Penalty for breach of this code by Senior Management Personnel
shall be determined by the Chairman. In case of breach of this
code by the Whole-time Directors and/or Part-time Directors,
the same shall be examined by the Board.
Penalty may include serious disciplinary action, removal from
office and dismissal as well as other remedies, including recommendations
for any of the above penalty, to the extent permitted by law
and as considered appropriate under the circumstances
This Code of Conduct has been adopted by Morepen Laboratories
Limited to comply with the applicable rules of the Stock Exchanges
where securities of the Company are listed i.e. Bombay Stock
Exchange Limited, Mumbai and National Stock Exchange of India
Limited.
Appendix-I
Annual Compliance Report
I …………………………………………………………do
hereby solemnly affirm to the best of my knowledge and belief
that I have, in letter and in spirit, complied with the provisions
of the Code Of Conduct For Board Members And Senior Management
Personnel during the financial year ending 31st March 2006.
I ………………………………………,
have received and read the Company’s “Code Of Conduct
For Board Members And Senior Management Personnel (“This
Code”). I have understood the provisions and policies contained
in this Code and I agree to comply with this code.