Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 was promulgated on April 4, 2021.  It amends the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016.  Insolvency is a situation where individuals or companies are unable to repay their outstanding debt.  

The bankruptcy code is a one-stop solution for resolving insolvencies, which previously was a long process that did not offer an economically viable arrangement. The code aims to protect the interests of small investors and make the process of doing business less cumbersome. The IBC has 255 sections and 11 Schedules. IBC was intended to tackle the bad loan problems that were affecting the banking system

• The Code provides a time-bound process for resolving the insolvency of corporate debtors (within 330 days) called the corporate insolvency resolution process (CIRP).  The debtor himself or its creditors may apply for initiation of CIRP in the event of a default of at least one lakh rupees.  Under CIRP, a committee of creditors is constituted to decide regarding the insolvency resolution.  The committee may consider a resolution plan, which typically provides for the payoff of debt by merger, acquisition, or restructuring of the company.  If the committee of creditors does not approve a resolution plan within the specified time, the company is liquidated.   During CIRP, the affairs of the company are managed by the resolution professional (RP), which is appointed to conduct CIRP.
   
• Pre-packaged insolvency resolution: The Ordinance introduces an alternate insolvency resolution process for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), called the pre-packaged insolvency resolution process (PIRP).  Unlike CIRP, only debtors may initiate PIRP.  The debtor should have a base resolution plan in place.  During PIRP, the management of the company will remain with the debtor.
   
• Minimum default amount: Application for initiating PIRP may be filed in the event of a default of at least one lakh rupees.  The central government may increase the threshold of minimum default up to one crore rupees through a notification.
   
• Debtors eligible for PIRP: a corporate debtor classified as an MSME under the MSME Development Act, 2006, may initiate PIRP in the event of a default.  Currently, under the 2006 Act, an enterprise with an annual turnover of up to Rs 250 crore, and investment in plant and machinery or equipment up to Rs 50 crore, is classified as an MSME.  For initiating PIRP, the corporate debtor himself is required to apply to the adjudicating authority (National Company Law Tribunal).  The authority must approve or reject the application for PIRP within 14 days of its receipt.
   
• Approval of financial creditors: For applying for PIRP, the debtor needs to obtain approval of at least 66% of its financial creditors (in value of debt due to creditors) who are not related parties of the debtor.  Before seeking approval, the debtor must provide creditors with a base resolution plan.   The debtor must also propose the name of the RP along with the application for PIRP.  The proposed RP must be approved by at least 66% of the financial creditors.
   
• Proceedings under PIRP: The debtor will submit the base resolution plan to the RP within two days of the commencement of the PIRP.  A committee of creditors will be constituted within seven days of the PIRP commencement date, which will consider the base resolution plan.   The committee may provide the debtor with an opportunity to revise the plan.  The RP may also invite resolution plans from other persons.  Alternative resolution plans may be invited if the base plan: (i) is not approved by the committee, or (ii) is unable to pay the debt of operational creditors (claims related to the provision of goods and services).
   
• The committee must approve a resolution plan by a vote of at least 66% of the voting shares, within 90 days from the commencement date of PIRP.  The adjudicating authority will examine the resolution plan approved by the committee.  If the committee approves no resolution plan, the RP may apply for termination of PIRP.  The authority must either approve the plan or order termination of PIRP within 30 days of receipt.  Termination of PIRP will result in the liquidation of the corporate debtor.  
   
• Moratorium: During PIRP, the debtor will be provided with a moratorium under which certain actions against the debtor will be prohibited.  These include filing or continuation of suits, execution of court orders, or recovery of property.
   
• Management of debtor during PIRP: During the PIRP, the board of directors or partners of the debtor will continue to manage the affairs of the debtor.  However, the management of the debtor may be vested with the RP if there has been fraudulent conduct or gross mismanagement.
   
• Initiation of CIRP:  At any time from the PIRP commencement date but before the approval of the resolution plan, the committee of creditors may decide to terminate PIRP and instead initiate CIRP in respect of the debtor (by a vote of at least 66% of the voting shares).

• Impact Of Covid 19: The era of pandemic has forced the government authority to bring combating measures such that they can cure the increasing rates of havoc. 
  The government of India passed Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 by suspending action of Sections 7, Section 9 and Section 10.The outbreak of Covid-19 has created vast economic melt down which in turn has directly resulted in downfall of many sectors such as MSMEs, tourism, health care automobile. Therefore to cure the court matters in terms for IBC shifted the gravity towards reconstruction and protection of several stakeholders in the corporate world.

While the PIRP is a timely effort to protect viable MSMEs, it is likely that operationalizing it only for MSMEs now may just be the first step towards a sound Pre-pack and will lead to a much wider coverage in the future which, like the IBC, is expected to evolve with time and jurisprudence.

The government should consider setting up specific benches of the NCLT to deal with pre-pack resolution plans to ensure that they are implemented in a time-bound manner.

Aishwarya Says:

I have always been against Glorifying Over Work and therefore, in the year 2021, I have decided to launch this campaign “Balancing Life”and talk about this wrong practice, that we have been following since last few years. I will be talking to and interviewing around 1 lakh people in the coming 2021 and publish their interview regarding their opinion on glamourising Over Work.

If you are interested in participating in the same, do let me know.

Do follow me on Facebook, Twitter  Youtube and Instagram.

The copyright of this Article belongs exclusively to Ms. Aishwarya Sandeep. Reproduction of the same, without permission will amount to Copyright Infringement. Appropriate Legal Action under the Indian Laws will be taken.

If you would also like to contribute to my website, then do share your articles or poems at adv.aishwaryasandeep@gmail.com

We also have a Facebook Group Restarter Moms for Mothers or Women who would like to rejoin their careers post a career break or women who are enterpreneurs.

We are also running a series Inspirational Women from January 2021 to March 31,2021, featuring around 1000 stories about Indian Women, who changed the world. #choosetochallenge