Whistle Blower Policy

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Preface

FTPL has formulated a Code of Conduct (“the Code”), that lays down the principles and standards that should govern the actions of the Company and their employees. Any actual or potential violation of the Code, howsoever insignificant or perceived as such, would be a matter of serious concern for the company.

  • A non-mandatory requirement is for the companies to establish a mechanism called ‘Whistle Blower Policy’ for employees to report o the management instances of unethical behavior, actual or suspected, fraud or violation of the Company’s code of conduct or ethics policy.
  • Though it is non-mandatory, the Company has decided as a ‘good’ governance practice to set up a Whistle Blower Policy (“the Policy”) with a view to provide a mechanism for employees of the Company to report matters to the management.

Definitions

The definitions of some of the key terms used in this Policy are given below. Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them under the Code.

  • “Committee” means the Committee constituted by the Board of Directors of the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Companies Act, 2013.
  • “Employee” means every employee of the Company (whether working in India or abroad), including the Directors in the employment of the Company.
  • “Code” means the Code of Conduct.
  • “Investigator(s)” mean the person(s) authorized, appointed, consulted, or approached by the Committee and includes the auditors of the Company and the police.
  • “Protected Disclosure” means any communication made in good faith that discloses or demonstrates information that may evidence unethical or improper activity.
  • “Subject” means a person against or in relation to whom a Protected Disclosure has been made or evidence gathered during the course of an investigation.
  • “Whistle Blower” means an Employee making a Protected Disclosure under this Policy

Policy : Scope, Eligibility and Disqualification

Scope
  • This Policy is an extension of the Code of Conduct. The Whistle Blower’s role is that of a reporting party with reliable information. They are not required or expected to act as investigator(s) or finder(s) of facts, nor would they determine the appropriate corrective or remedial action that may be warranted in a given case.
  • Whistle Blowers should not act on their own in conducting any investigative activities, nor do they have a right to participate in any investigative activities other than as requested by the Committee or the Investigator(s).
  • Protected Disclosure will be appropriately dealt with by the Committee.
Eligiblity
  • All Employees of the Company are eligible to make Protected Disclosures under the Policy. The Protected Disclosures will be in relation to matters concerning the Company.
Disqualification
  • While it will be ensured that genuine Whistle Blowers are accorded complete protection from any kind of unfair treatment as herein set out, any abuse of this protection will warrant disciplinary action
  • Protection under this Policy would not mean protection from disciplinary action arising out of false or bogus allegations made by a Whistle Blower knowing it to be false or bogus or with a mala fide intention.
  • Whistle Blowers, who make three or more Protected Disclosures, which have been subsequently found to be malafide, frivolous, baseless, malicious, or reported otherwise than in good faith, will be disqualified from reporting further Protected Disclosures under this Policy. In respect of such Whistle Blowers, the Company / Committee would reserve its right to take/recommend appropriate disciplinary action

Policy : Procedure

  • All Protected Disclosures should be addressed to Mr. Rajesh P, Chief Operating Officer / Grievance Officer of the Company. The email ID of Mr. Rajesh P are as under: coo@sampathi.in
  • The Protected Disclosures should preferably be reported in writing so as to ensure a clear understanding of the issues raised.
  • The written communication should either be typed or written in legible handwriting in English, Hindi, or in the regional language of the place of employment of the Whistle Blower.
  • Protected Disclosures should be factual and not speculative or in the nature of a conclusion and should contain as much specific information as possible to allow for proper assessment of the nature and extent of the concern and the urgency of a preliminary investigative procedure.

Policy: Investigation

  • The Committee may at its discretion, consider involving any Investigator(s) for the purpose of investigation.
  • All Protected Disclosures reported under this Policy will be thoroughly investigated by the Investigator(s) appointed by the Committee who will investigate the matter under the authorization of the Committee.
  • The decision to conduct an investigation taken by the Committee is by itself not an accusation and is to be treated as a neutral fact-finding process. The outcome of the investigation may not support the conclusion of the Whistle Blower that an improper or unethical act was committed.
  • The identity of a Subject will be kept confidential to the extent possible given the legitimate needs of law and the investigation.
  • Subjects will normally be informed of the allegations at the outset of a formal investigation and have opportunities for providing their inputs during the investigation. This will be after the conclusion of the initial review and findings which prima facie establishes a need for a formal investigation.
  • Subjects shall have a duty to co-operate with the Committee or any of the Investigator(s) during the investigation to the extent that such co-operation sought does not merely require them to admit guilt.
  • Subjects have a right to consult with a person or persons of their choice, other than the Investigator(s) and/or members of the Committee and/or the Whistle Blower. Subjects shall be free at any time to engage counsel at their own cost to represent them in the investigation proceedings.
  • Subjects have a responsibility not to interfere with the investigation. Evidence shall not be withheld, destroyed, or tampered with, and witnesses shall not be influenced, coached, threatened, or intimidated by the Subjects.
  • Unless there are compelling reasons not to do so, Subjects will be given the opportunity to respond to material findings contained in an investigation report. No allegation of wrongdoing against a Subject shall be considered maintainable unless there is good evidence in support of the allegation.
  • Subjects have a right to be informed of the outcome of the investigation. If allegations are not sustained, the Subject should be consulted as to whether public disclosure of the investigation results would be in the best interest of the Subject and the Company.
  • The investigation shall be completed normally within 45 days of the receipt of the Protected Disclosure.

Policy : Protection

  • No unfair treatment will be meted out to a Whistle Blower by virtue of his/her having reported a Protected Disclosure under this Policy. The Company, as a policy, condemns any kind of discrimination, harassment, victimization, or any other unfair employment practice being adopted against Whistle Blowers. Complete protection will, therefore, be given to Whistle Blowers against any unfair practice like retaliation, threat or intimidation of termination/suspension of service, disciplinary action, transfer, demotion, refusal of promotion, or the like including any direct or indirect use of authority to obstruct the Whistle Blower’s right to continue to perform his duties/functions including making further Protected Disclosure. The Company will take steps to minimize difficulties, which the Whistle Blower may experience as a result of making the Protected Disclosure. Thus, if the Whistle Blower is required to give evidence in criminal or disciplinary proceedings, the Company will arrange for the Whistle Blower to receive advice about the procedure, etc.
  • The identity of the Whistle Blower shall be kept confidential to the extent possible and permitted under law. Whistle Blowers are cautioned that their identity may become known for reasons outside the control of the Audit Committee (e.g. during investigations carried out by Investigator(s)).
  • Any other Employee assisting in the said investigation shall also be protected to the same extent as the Whistle Blower.

Policy : Investigators, Decision, Reporting and Retention of documents

Investigators
  • Investigator(s) are required to conduct a process towards fact-finding and analysis. Investigator(s) shall derive their authority and access rights from the Audit Committee when acting within the course and scope of their investigation.
  • Technical and other resources may be drawn upon as necessary to augment the investigation. All Investigators shall be independent and unbiased both in fact and as perceived. Investigators will have a duty of fairness, objectivity, thoroughness, ethical behaviour, and observance of legal and professional standards.
  • Investigations will be launched only after a preliminary review which establishes that:
    • the alleged act constitutes an improper or unethical activity or conduct, and
    • either the allegation is supported by information specific enough to be investigated, or matters that do not meet this standard may still be worthy of management review.
Decisions
  • If an investigation leads the Audit Committee to conclude that an improper or unethical act has been committed, the Audit Committee shall recommend such disciplinary or corrective action as it deems fit. It is clarified that any disciplinary or corrective action initiated against the Subject as a result of the findings of an investigation pursuant to this Policy shall adhere to the applicable personnel or staff conduct and disciplinary procedures.
Reporting
  • The Investigator(s) shall submit a report to the Audit Committee on a regular basis about all Protected Disclosures referred to him / her / them since the last report together with the results of investigations if any.
Retention of Documents
  • All Protected Disclosures in writing or documented along with the results of investigation relating thereto shall be retained by the Company for a minimum period of seven years.