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Debenture Redemption Reserve and Debenture Redemption Investment

Check the essentials of Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR), its significance, SEBI guidelines, methods of redemption, and accounting practices related to debenture repayments for companies.
authorImageIzhar Ahmad15 Oct, 2024
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Debenture Redemption Reserve and Debenture Redemption Investment

The Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR) is a mandated measure set up by the RBI to protect investors in the event of a payment failure.

Every business needs financial resources to keep and grow, and there are various ways for companies to secure funds. Besides utilizing the owner's capital, companies can raise funds through debt by offering debentures or getting loans. Debt financing involves the redemption of debentures, showing that these financial instruments can be fully returned once their term ends, settling any remaining debts to debenture holders or lenders who made loans.

What is Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR)?

By the rules outlined in the Companies Act of 1956, a company must give a part of its yearly earnings to the Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR) until the debentures are fully repaid. As mentioned in Section 117C of the Companies Act of 1956 (amended in 2000): (a) For debentures issued by a company after the start of this Act, the company must create a Debenture Redemption Reserve dedicated to returning these debentures. An acceptable amount should be added to this cushion from the company's income each year until the debentures are repaid. (b) The funds given to the Debenture Redemption Reserve are limited to redeem debentures and cannot be utilized by the company for any other purpose.

What is Debenture Redemption Investment (DRI)?

Debenture Redemption Investment (DRI) is a process whereby a business that issues debentures puts aside a balance to repay these financial assets. Typically, the investment made for this reason should represent a minimum of 15% of the total value of the debentures intended for repayment within the fiscal year. Specific securities have been identified for companies to spend the given funds and form the Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR) It is important to note that the needed investment or payment by the company exceeds 15% of the remaining amount to be repaid by March 31st of the fiscal year. Additionally, these funds must be deposited in the designated stocks on or before April 30th of the same calendar year.

Redemption of Debentures Journal Entries

The redemption of debentures involves recording journal entries to reflect the repayment of debt and, in some cases, transferring amounts to specific reserves. Below are the journal entries related to the redemption of debentures:

1. Amount Paid on Redemption

This entry is made when the company repays the debenture holders, reducing its liability by debiting the debenture account and crediting the bank account.

Journal Entry:

Debentures Account Dr. To Bank Account (Being the amount paid on redemption of debentures)

2. For Transferring to Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR)

To ensure the safety of debenture holders, a company may transfer a part of its profits to the Debenture Redemption Reserve. This reserve is created from profits and set aside specifically for the purpose of debenture redemption.

Journal Entry:

Profit and Loss Appropriation Account Dr. To Debenture Redemption Reserve Account

SEBI Guidelines Regarding Debenture Redemption Reserve

SEBI, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, has outlined guidelines about the redemption of debentures, with key points summarized as follows:
  • Companies are required to establish a Debenture Redemption Reserve when issuing debentures redeemable after a period exceeding 18 months from the date of issuance.
  • The obligation to create a Debenture Redemption Reserve applies solely to non-convertible debentures and the non-convertible portion of partly convertible debentures.
  • A company must create a Debenture Redemption Reserve amounting to at least 50% of the debenture issue before initiating the redemption process.
  • Withdrawal from the Debenture Redemption Reserve is allowed only after the company has reduced at least 10% of the debenture liability.
These SEBI guidelines do not apply in the following scenarios: (a) Infrastructure companies wholly dedicated to developing, maintaining, and operating infrastructure facilities. (b) Companies issuing debentures with a maturity period not exceeding 18 months.

Clarification Regarding Creation of DRR

Clarifications regarding the creation of the Debenture Redemption Reserve (DRR) have been given by the Department of Company Affairs, Government of India, through Circular No. 9/2002 dated 18.04.2002, as explained below: (a) All India Financial Institutions, controlled by the RBI, and Banking Companies offering both public and privately put debentures are free from the requirement of making a DRR. (b) No Debenture Redemption Reserve is required for privately put debentures. (c) Section 117C is applicable to debentures issued before 13.12.2000 and still awaiting repayment, requiring the creation of a DRR for such debentures. (d) Section 117C is applicable to the non-convertible portion of debentures, whether fully or partly paid. The Debenture Redemption Reserve is recorded in the liability part of the Balance Sheet under "Reserves and Surpluses." Upon the redemption of debentures, the equivalent amount from the Debenture repurchase Reserve is transferred to the General Reserve.

Also Check: Scope of Financial Management

Methods of Redemption of Debentures

The debentures may be redeemed in four different ways.
  • Lump Sum Payment
  • Installment Payments
  • Open Market Purchase
  • Conversion into Shares or New Debentures

Lump Sum Payment

The company settles the debentures by making a single payment to the debenture holders upon maturity, adhering to the terms of the issuance.

Installment Payments

In this approach, debentures are typically redeemed in periodic instalments on specified dates throughout their tenure. The total debenture liability is divided by the number of years, with the identification of debentures for redemption determined through a lottery system.

Open Market Purchase

Redemption can also occur through the company's acquisition of its own debentures for cancellation. This act of buying and canceling the debentures is considered a form of redemption through open market purchase.

Conversion into Shares or New Debentures

Companies also have the option of either converting the debentures into shares or new debentures. At this point, debenture holders have the ability to choose either convert debentures into either shares or new debentures should the terms be more beneficial to them. These new shares or debentures can be issued at par, a discount, or a premium. It should be noted that the actual proceeds generated by the debenture are the determining factor that will be used to calculate the number of shares.
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Debenture Redemption Reserve FAQs

What is the main difference between DRR and DRI?

DRI is set up on or before the 30th of April of the fiscal year in which the debentures are scheduled for redemption, while DRR is created at any time before the debentures are redeemed.

What exactly is DRI in debentures?

DRI stands for Debenture Redemption Investment. In addition to DRR, companies must invest 15% in Specified Securities by 30 April of the current year.

Who is a debenture holder?

The company borrows money from the lender, who is referred to as a "debenture holder" in the process. The corporation gives the debenture holder a note guaranteeing to return their money plus a set amount of interest.

What is the maximum debenture term?

Secured debentures cannot be issued for more than ten years from the date of issuance.

Who is a debenture trustee?

A Debenture Trustee is chosen to represent and preserve the interests of Debenture/Bond holders.
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