(1) The Central Government may, as soon as it is convenient administratively so to do, appoint any person or body of persons (including a Government company, whether in existence at the commencement of this Ordinance or incorporated thereafter) as the Custodian of the undertakings of either, or both, of the two companies for the purpose of carrying on the management of such undertakings and the Custodian so appointed shall carry on the management of the undertakings of the two companies for and on behalf of the Central Government.
Custodian of the two companies.
(2) On the appointment of the Custodian under sub-section (I), the management of the undertakings of the two companies shall vest in such Custodian and all persons in charge of the management of such undertakings immediately before such appointment shall cease to be in charge of such management and shall be bound to deliver such management to the Custodian.
(3) The Central Government may, by notification, authorise the Custodian to appoint any person (including a Government company, whether in existence at the commencement of this Ordinance or Incorporated thereafter) as the Additional Custodian of the undertakings of either, or both, of the two companies.
(4) The Additional Custodian shall assist the Custodian in the exercise of his or its powers and duties under this Ordinance and shall function under the direction, supervision and control of the Custodian;
and the Custodian may delegate to the Additional Custodian all or such of his or its powers as he or it may think fit.
(5) Subject to any general or special direction given or condition imposed by the Custodian, any person authorised by the Custodian to exercise any power may exercise that power in the same manner and with the same effect as if it had been conferred on that person directly by this Ordinance and not by way of authorisation.
(6) The Central Government may issue such directions (including directions as to initiating, defending or continuing any legal proceedings before any court, tribunal or other authority) to the Custodian as to his or its powers and duties as the Central Government deems to be desirable in the circumstances of the case, and the Custodian may also apply to the Central Government at any time for instructions as to the manner in which he or it shall conduct the management of the undertakings of either, or both, of the two companies or in relation to any other matter arising in the course of such management.
(7) Subject to the other provisions of this Ordinance and the control of the Central Government, the Custodian shall be entitled, notwithstanding anything contained in the Companies Act, 1956, to exercise all the powers of the Board of directors of the two companies (including the power to dispose of any properties or aseets of the two companies) whether such powers are derived from the Companies Act, 195Qt or from the memorandum and articles of association of the concerned company or from any other source.
1 of 1956, 1 of 1956.
Sfec. i j THE GAZBTTE OF iNDfA EXTRAORDINARY 947 (S) Every person having possession, custody or control of any property forming part of any undertaking of either of the two companies shall deliver forthwith such property to the Custodian or to any officer or other employee of< the Central Governmant or the Custodian, as may be authorised by the Central Government in this behalf.
(9) Any person who, on the appointed day, has in his possession or under his control any books, papers or other documents, relating to the undertakings of either, or both, of the two companies, including the minutes books containing the resolutions of the persons in charge of the management thereof before the appointed day, the current cheque books relating to the undertakings of such company, any letters, memoranda, notes or other communications between him and such company shall, notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in force, be liable to account for the books, papers and other documents (including such minutes books, cheque books, letters, memoranda, notes or other communications) to the Custodian and shall deliver them up to the Custodian or to any such person (being an officer or other employee of the Central Government or the Custodian) as may be authorised by the Central Government in this behalf.
(10) Every person in charge of the management of the undertakings of either of the two companies immediately before the appointed day shall, within ten days from that day or within such further period as the Central Government may allow in this behalf, furnish to the Custodian a complete inventory of ali the properties and assets (including particulars of book debts and investments and belongings) forming part of the undertakings of such company immediately before the appointed day and of all the liabilities and obligations- of such company in relation to its undertakings, subsisting immediately before that day, and also of all agreements entered into by such company in relation to its undertakings and in force immediately before that day.
(11) The Custodian and the Additional Custodian shall receive from the funds of the undertakings of each of the two companies such remuneration as the Central Government may fix.
5. (I) Each of the two companies shall be given by the Central Government an amount, in cash, and at the rate specified in sub-section (2), for the vesting in it, under section 3, of the management of the undertakings of each such company.
Payment of amount.
(2) For every month during which the management of the undertakings of each of the two companies remains vested in the Central Government under this Ordinance, the amount, referred to in sub-section
(1), shall be computed at the rate of—
(a) rupees ten thousand per annum in the case of Laxmirattan Cotton Mjills Company Limited; and
(b) rupees eight thousand per annum in the case of Atherton West and Company Limited.
948 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY [PAT® It—
CHAPTER III POWER TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO ANY UNDERTAKING OR TO THE UNDERTAKINGS OF EITHER OF THE TWO COMPANIES