Govt moves to empower RoC, but will it lead to demand for more manpower?

Govt recently brought in an Ordinance to amend Companies Act, 2013, with the objective of de-clogging the NCLT and empowering the Registrar of Companies and regional directors with additional powers

The government’s recent move to strike a balance between improving judicial efficiency and the steps taken to enhance compliance and disclosures by companies has put the spotlight on the Registrar of Companies (RoCs).

The primary role of the RoCs has been to register companies and limited liability firms and ensure that these businesses comply with the statutory requirements under the Company Law.

Based on the recommendation of an expert committee set up by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), the Ordinance delegated some of the powers of the NCLT to the RoCs or regional directors (RDs). They would now deal