Fast Track Exit Mode for Defunct Companies

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs launched “Fast Track Exit Mode” on 03.07.2011 to provide an opportunity for defunct companies under Section 560 of the Companies Act, 1956 for getting their names struck off from the register of companies, to facilitate the exit of such defunct companies without getting into the process of winding up. Giving this information in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Shri Sachin Pilot, Minister of Corporate Affairs, said that the Companies Bill 2013 recently passed by both houses of Parliament has a provision (Clause 455) which introduces a new concept of ‘dormant companies’.  Such companies which do not have significant accounting transactions are permitted to obtain the status of a ‘dormant company’.

The number of defunct companies during last three years and companies who have so far availed Fast Track Exit Mode are tabulated as under:

Year	Number of Defunct Companies
31.12.2010	1,75,804
31.12.2011	2,20,906
31.12.2012	2,35,485

Year	Number of Companies (availed FTE Mode for striking off their names)
31.12.2011	2752
31.12.2012	7611
31.07.2013	8830

Source: Press Information Bureau.