The National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Kolkata, has approved Burnpur Cement Limited’s scheme for the reduction of capital, as outlined in an exchange filing by the company. The petition was filed under Section 66 of the Companies Act, 2013, in accordance with the National Company Law Tribunal (Procedure for Reduction of Share Capital of Companies) Rules, 2016.

The approved scheme involves reducing the company’s issued, subscribed, and paid-up equity share capital from Rs 86.12 crore, divided into 8,61,24,363 equity shares of Rs 10 each, to Rs 17.22 crore, divided into 1,72,24,873 equity shares of Rs 10 each, fully paid-up. The move aims to optimise the capital structure of the company.

The NCLT order specifies that the capital reduction will not affect any ongoing actions by government or regulatory authorities related to violations of any laws in force. Burnpur Cement is expected to file the certified copy of the order with the Registrar of Companies (RoC) in e-form INC-28.

The bench hearing the matter included D. Arvind (Technical Member) and Bidisha Banerjee (Judicial Member).

JK Lakshmi Cement reported a net loss of ?19.24 crore for the second quarter of FY25, reversing the previous year’s profits. The cement giant faced a challenging period, with rising input costs and subdued demand in certain markets impacting its financial performance. The company also noted a decline in sales volumes during the quarter, which further contributed to the loss.

Despite the tough quarter, the company remains optimistic about its long-term prospects, citing the ongoing demand for infrastructure development and the potential for recovery in key regions. The management is focusing on cost optimization strategies and exploring new markets to overcome the current challenges.

The net loss marks a significant deviation from the company’s usual profit trajectory, raising questions about the impact of macroeconomic factors and inflationary pressures on the cement sector as a whole. With raw material costs and transportation expenses climbing, the company is grappling with maintaining margins while trying to sustain its market position.

JK Lakshmi Cement’s management is working to boost operational efficiency and improve financial health in the coming quarters. Analysts are keenly observing whether the company will rebound in the second half of the fiscal year, as infrastructure projects and government spending are expected to provide support to the industry.

Hi-Tech Pipes has reported a flat net profit for the second quarter of FY25, signaling stable financial performance amidst challenging market conditions. The company’s net profit stood steady, with minimal growth or decline compared to the previous quarter.

Despite the flat growth, Hi-Tech Pipes continues to maintain strong operational fundamentals. The company’s revenues saw slight fluctuations, with demand patterns showing resilience in key product categories, including pipes and tubes. The steel pipe manufacturer has focused on expanding its production capacities and optimizing its supply chain to cater to both domestic and international markets.

While the company’s profitability remains steady, it is working towards addressing rising raw material costs and supply chain challenges. Industry analysts expect Hi-Tech Pipes to continue leveraging its established market position to navigate these challenges and deliver sustainable long-term growth.

Hi-Tech Pipes’ outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with plans to increase market share through innovations in product offerings and improvements in operational efficiency. The company’s continued investment in technology and infrastructure is seen as a vital element for securing future profitability and market leadership.