Startups often product, marketing, funding pe focus karte hain, but ROC compliance ko boring samajh ke ignore kar dete hain. Later, ye hi ignorance heavy penalties, strike-off risk aur investor due diligence me red flags create karta hai.
Basic compliances include:
- Annual financial statements and returns file karna,
- Board and shareholder meetings ke proper minutes maintain karna,
- Director KYC, statutory registers update rakhna,
- Share allotment/transfer ke ROC forms time se file karna.
Non-compliance pe late fees + fine + sometimes prosecution bhi possible hai, especially repeated default me. Kayi founders ko pata hi nahi hota ki unke khilaf technical cases pending hain, jo future travel, loans, tenders me issue create kar sakte hain.
Best approach: ek basic compliance calendar banwana, ek CA/company secretary ko early stage se involve karna, aur sab filings digital trail ke saath maintain karna. Ye cost short term me thoda lagta hai, lekin long term me company ki valuation, exit aur fund raise ke time sabse zyada benefit deta hai.
Startup cool hone ka matlab law ko ignore karna nahi, smartly follow karna hai.
