SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM F-6
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
Sify Technologies Limited
(Exact name of issuer of deposited securities as specified in its charter)
[N/A]
(Translation of issuer's name into English)
Republic of India
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of issuer)
Citibank, N.A.
(Exact name of depositary as specified in its charter)
399 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10043
(212) 816-6690
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of depositary's principal executive offices)
CT Corporation System
111 Eighth Avenue (13th floor)
New York, New York 10011
(212) 894-8940
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
of agent for service)
Copies to:
Herman H. Raspe, Esq.
Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP
1133 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10036
It is proposed that this filing become effective under Rule 466:
|_| immediately upon filing.
|_| on (Date) at (Time).
If a separate registration statement has been filed to register the deposited shares, check the following box : |_|
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Title of Each Class of Amount to be Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of Securities to be Registered Registered Aggregate Price Aggregate Offering Registration Fee Per Unit* Price** -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- American Depositary Shares, each 25,000,000 ADSs $5.00 $1,250,000.00 69.75 representing one (1) Equity Share of Sify Technologies Limited -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
* Each unit represents 100 American Depositary Shares. ** Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Pursuant to Rule 457(k), such estimate is computed on the basis of the maximum aggregate fees or charges to be imposed in connection with the issuance of American Depositary Shares.
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
This Registration Statement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Cross Reference Sheet
Item 1. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED
Location in Form of American Depositary Receipt ("Receipt") Item Number and Caption Filed Herewith as Prospectus ----------------------- ---------------------------- 1. Name of Depositary and address of its principal executive Face of Receipt - Introductory Article. office 2. Title of Receipts and identity of deposited securities Face of Receipt - Top Center. Terms of Deposit: (i) The amount of deposited securities represented by Face of Receipt - Upper right corner. one American Depositary Share ("ADSs") (ii) The procedure for voting, if any, the deposited Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs (16) securities and (17). (iii) The collection and distribution of dividends Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs (14) and (16). (iv) The transmission of notices, reports and proxy Face of Receipt - Paragraph (13) soliciting material Reverse of Receipt - Paragraph (16). (v) The sale or exercise of rights Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs (14) and (16). (vi) The deposit or sale of securities resulting from Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs (14), (16) and (18). dividends, splits or plans of reorganization (vii) Amendment, extension or termination of the deposit Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs (22) and (23) (no agreement provision for extensions). (viii) Rights of holders of Receipts to inspect the Face of Receipt - Paragraph (13). transfer books of the Depositary and the list of holders of ADSs (ix) Restrictions upon the right to deposit or withdraw Face of Receipt - Paragraphs (2), (4), (6), (7), the underlying securities (8), (9) and (10). |
Location in Form of American Depositary Receipt ("Receipt") Item Number and Caption Filed Herewith as Prospectus ----------------------- ---------------------------- (x) Limitation upon the liability of the Depositary Reverse of Receipt - Paragraphs (19) and (20). 3. Fees and charges which may be imposed directly or Face of Receipt - Paragraph (10). indirectly on holders of ADSs Item 2. AVAILABLE INFORMATION Face of Receipt - Paragraph (13). |
The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, accordingly, files certain reports with, and submits certain reports to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). These reports can be retrieved from the Commission's internet website (www.sec.gov), and can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington D.C. 20549.
PROSPECTUS
The Prospectus consists of the proposed form of American Depositary Receipt included as Exhibit A to the Form of Amendment No. 3 to Deposit Agreement filed as Exhibit (a)(i) to this Registration Statement on Form F-6 and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 3. EXHIBITS
(a)(i) Form of Amendment No. 3 to Deposit Agreement, by and among Sify Technologies Limited (formerly known as "Satyam Infoway Limited" and hereinafter, the "Company"), Citibank, N.A. as depositary (the "Depositary"), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares issued under the Deposit Agreement. -- Filed herewith as Exhibit (a)(i).
(a)(ii) Amendment No. 2 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002, by and among the Company, the Depositary and Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued under the Deposit Agreement. -- Filed herewith as Exhibit (a)(ii).
(a)(iii) Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000, by and among the Company, the Depositary and Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued under the Deposit Agreement. -- Filed herewith as Exhibit (a)(iii).
(a)(iv) Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, by and among the Company, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued thereunder (the "Deposit Agreement"). -- Filed herewith as Exhibit (a)(iv).
(b) Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2007, between the Depositary and Company -- filed herewith as Exhibit (b).
(c) Every material contract relating to the deposited securities between the Depositary and the issuer of the deposited securities in effect at any time within the last three years. -- None.
(d) Opinion of counsel for the Depositary as to the legality of the securities to be registered. -- Filed herewith as Exhibit (d).
(e) Certificate under Rule 466. -- None.
(f) Powers of Attorney for certain officers and directors and the authorized representative of the Company. -- Set forth on the signature pages hereto.
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Item 4. UNDERTAKINGS
(a) The Depositary undertakes to make available at the principal office of the Depositary in the United States, for inspection by holders of ADSs, any reports and communications received from the issuer of the deposited securities which are both (1) received by the Depositary as the holder of the deposited securities, and (2) made generally available to the holders of the underlying securities by the issuer.
(b) If the amount of fees charged is not disclosed in the prospectus, the Depositary undertakes to prepare a separate document stating the amount of any fee charged and describing the service for which it is charged and to deliver promptly a copy of such fee schedule without charge to anyone upon request. The Depositary undertakes to notify each registered holder of an ADS thirty (30) days before any change in the fee schedule.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Citibank, N.A., acting solely on behalf of the legal entity created by the Deposit Agreement, by and among Sify Technologies Limited, Citibank, N.A., as depositary, and the Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares to be issued thereunder, as amended prior to the date hereof and as proposed to be further amended, certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that all the requirements for filing on Form F-6 are met and has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form F-6 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on the 11th day of May 2009.
Legal entity created by the Deposit Agreement, as amended prior to the date hereof and, as proposed to be further amended, under which the American Depositary Shares registered hereunder are to be issued, each American Depositary Share representing one (1) Equity Share of Sify Technologies Limited.
CITIBANK, N.A., solely in its capacity as Depositary
By: /s/ Keith Galfo ---------------------------------------- Name: Keith Galfo Title: Vice President |
II-3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Sify Technologies Limited certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that all the requirements for filing on Form F-6 are met and has duly caused this Registration Statement on Form F-6 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized, in Chennai, India, on May 11, 2009.
SIFY TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
By: /s/ M.P. Vijay Kumar ------------------------------ Name: M.P. Vijay Kumar Title: Chief Financial Officer |
II-4
POWERS OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Mr. Raju Vegesna and Mr. MP Vijay Kumar to act as his/her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him/her and in his/her name, place and stead, in any and all such capacities, to sign any and all amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as s/he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his/her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement on Form F-6 has been signed by the following persons in the following capacities on May 11, 2009.
Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Raju Vegesna Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and ------------------------- Managing Director Raju Vegesna /s/ M P Vijay Kumar Chief Financial Officer ------------------------- Principal Accounting Officer M P Vijay Kumar /s/ C V S Suri Chief Operating Officer ------------------------- C V S Suri ------------------------- Principal Accounting Officer/Controller Name: /s/ Ananda Raju Vegesna Director ------------------------- Ananda Raju Vegesna |
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Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ S.K. Rao Director ------------------------- S.K. Rao /s/ T.H. Chowdary Director ------------------------- T.H. Chowdary /s/ P.S. Raju Director ------------------------- P.S. Raju /s/ S R Sukumara Director ------------------------- S R Sukumara /s/ Donald Puglisi Authorized Representative ------------------------- Name: Donald Puglisi Title: /s/ C.B. Mouli Director ------------------------- C.B. Mouli |
II-6
Index to Exhibits
Sequentially Exhibit Document Numbered Page ------- -------- ------------- (a)(i) Form of Amendment No. 3 to the Deposit Agreement (a)(ii) Amendment No. 2 to the Deposit Agreement (a)(iii) Amendment No. 1 to the Deposit Agreement (a)(iv) Deposit Agreement (b) Supplemental Letter Agreement between the Depositary and Company (d) Opinion of counsel to the Depositary |
Exhibit (a)(i)
SIFY TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
AND
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Depositary,
AND
ALL HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
OUTSTANDING UNDER THE TERMS OF THE
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, DATED AS OF OCTOBER 18, 1999
Amendment No. 3 to Deposit Agreement
Dated as of ________________, 2009
Table of Contents
Page ---- ARTICLE I DEFINITIONS.................................................................................................... 2 SECTION 1.01 Definitions................................................................... 2 SECTION 1.02 Effective Date................................................................ 2 ARTICLE II AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT................................................................................ 2 SECTION 2.01 Deposit Agreement............................................................. 2 SECTION 2.02 Amendments Binding on all Holders and Beneficial Owners....................... 3 SECTION 2.03 Reference to Fees of the Depositary........................................... 3 SECTION 2.04 Change of Fees and Charges of the Depositary.................................. 3 ARTICLE III AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF ADR.................................................................................. 4 SECTION 3.01 ADR Amendment................................................................. 4 SECTION 3.02 Change of Fees and Charges of the Depositary.................................. 5 ARTICLE IV AMENDMENTS TO THE FEE SCHEDULE................................................................................. 6 SECTION 4.01 Amendment to Fee Schedule..................................................... 6 ARTICLE V REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES................................................................................. 6 SECTION 5.01 Representations and Warranties................................................ 6 ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS.................................................................................................. 7 SECTION 6.01 New ADRs...................................................................... 7 SECTION 6.02 Notice of Amendment to Holders of ADSs........................................ 7 SECTION 6.03 Indemnification............................................................... 7 SECTION 6.04 Ratification.................................................................. 7 SECTION 6.05 Governing Law................................................................. 8 SECTION 6.06 Counterparts.................................................................. 8 |
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of __________, 2009 (the "Amendment"), by and among Sify Technologies Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India and previously known as "Satyam Infoway Limited" (the "Company"), Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America (the "Depositary"), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares outstanding under the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000, as further amended by Amended No. 2 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002 and as supplemented by Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2007.
WITNESSETH THAT:
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary entered into that certain Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000, as further amended by Amended No. 2 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002 and as supplemented by Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2007 (as so amended and supplemented, the "Deposit Agreement"), for the creation of American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") representing the Shares (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") in respect of the certificated American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Depositary desire to (i) amend the Deposit Agreement, the ADRs currently outstanding, the form of ADR annexed to the Deposit Agreement as Exhibit A thereto and the Fee Schedule annexed to the Deposit Agreement as Exhibit B thereto to enable the Depositary to charge Depositary Service Fees in respect of the ADSs, and (ii) to give notice thereof to all Holders (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) of ADSs;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary hereby agree to amend the Deposit Agreement, the ADRs currently outstanding, the form of ADR annexed as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement and the Fee Schedule annexed as Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Definitions. Unless otherwise specified in this Amendment, all capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
SECTION 1.02 Effective Date. The term "Effective Date" shall mean the later to occur of (i) the expiration of 30 days after notice of this Amendment has been given to Holders of outstanding ADRs, or (ii) the date upon which the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") declares effective the applicable F-6 Registration Statement pursuant to which a form of this Amendment has been filed with the Commission.
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
SECTION 2.01 Deposit Agreement. All references in the Deposit Agreement to the terms "Deposit Agreement" shall, as of the Effective Date, refer to the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by this Amendment and as further amended and supplemented after the Effective Date.
SECTION 2.02 Amendments Binding on all Holders and Beneficial Owners. From and after the Effective Date, the Deposit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment, shall be binding on all Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date and on all Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs issued after the Effective Date. Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in the Deposit Agreement or in any ADR, from and after the Effective Date any reference in the Deposit Agreement to Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts, ADRs, Receipts or American Depositary Receipts shall include, unless a reasonable interpretation of the context otherwise mandates, Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs.
SECTION 2.03 Reference to Fees of the Depositary. All references made in the Deposit Agreement to the fees and/or charges of the Depositary shall, as of the Effective Date, refer to the fees and charges of the Depositary set forth in Paragraph (10) of the Form of ADR attached as Exhibit A to this Amendment and the Fee Schedule attached as Exhibit B to this Amendment.
SECTION 2.04 Change of Fees and Charges of the Depositary. From and after the Effective Date, the Deposit Agreement is amended by adding the following paragraph after the first paragraph of Section 5.9:
"Depositary fees payable upon (i) deposit of Shares against issuance of ADSs and (ii) surrender of ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be charged by the Depositary to the person to whom the ADSs so issued are delivered (in the case of ADS issuances) and to the person who delivers the ADSs for cancellation to the Depositary (in the case of ADS cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by the Depositary into DTC or presented to the Depositary via DTC, the ADS issuance and cancellation fees will be payable to the Depositary by the DTC Participant(s) receiving the ADSs from the Depositary or the DTC Participant(s) surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary for cancellation, as the case may be, on behalf of the Beneficial Owner(s) and will be charged by the DTC Participant(s) to the account(s) of the applicable Beneficial Owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the DTC participant(s) as in effect at the time. Depositary fees in respect of
distributions and the Depositary services fee are payable to the Depositary by Holders as of the applicable ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. In the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable Depositary fees is deducted by the Depositary from the funds being distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash and the Depositary service fee, the Depositary will invoice the applicable Holders as of the ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. For ADSs held through DTC, the Depositary fees for distributions other than cash and the Depositary service fee are charged by the Depositary to the DTC Participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed by DTC from time to time and the DTC Participants in turn charge the amount of such fees to the Beneficial Owners for whom they hold ADSs. The Depositary may remit to the Company all or a portion of the Depositary fees charged for the reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by the Company in respect of the ADR program established pursuant to the Deposit Agreement upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time."
ARTICLE III
AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF ADR
SECTION 3.01 ADR Amendment. The form of ADR attached as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement and each of the ADRs outstanding under the terms of the Deposit Agreement is hereby amended as of the Effective Date by:
(a) deleting the first sentence of Paragraph (1) thereof in its entirety and inserting the following in its stead:
"This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000, as amended by Amendment No. 2 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002, as supplemented by the Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2007, and as further amended by Amendment No. 3, dated as of _________, 2009 (as so amended and supplemented, and as further amended and supplemented from time to time, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of ADSs, each of whom by accepting an ADS becomes bound by all the terms and provisions thereof."
(b) Replacing the period at the end of item (iv) of Paragraph (10) with a semicolon and adding the following as item (v) of Paragraph (10) thereof:
"(v) to any Holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held on the applicable ADS Record Date(s) established by the Depositary."
(c) adding the following as a new subparagraph to follow the last subparagraph of Paragraph (10) thereof .
"Depositary fees payable upon (i) deposit of Shares against issuance of ADSs and (ii) surrender of ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be charged by the Depositary to the person to whom the ADSs so issued are delivered (in the case of ADS issuances) and to the person who delivers the ADSs for cancellation to the Depositary (in the case of ADS cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by the Depositary into DTC or presented to the Depositary via DTC, the ADS issuance and cancellation fees will be payable to the Depositary by the DTC Participant(s) receiving the ADSs from the Depositary or the DTC Participant(s) surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary for cancellation, as the case may be, on behalf of the Beneficial Owner(s) and will be charged by the DTC Participant(s) to the account(s) of the applicable Beneficial Owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the DTC participant(s) as in effect at the time. Depositary fees in respect of distributions and the Depositary services fee are payable to the Depositary by Holders as of the applicable ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. In the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable Depositary fees is deducted by the Depositary from the funds being distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash and the Depositary service fee, the Depositary will invoice the applicable Holders as of the ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. For ADSs held through DTC, the Depositary fees for distributions other than cash and the Depositary service fee are charged by the Depositary to the DTC Participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed by DTC from time to time and the DTC Participants in turn charge the amount of such fees to the Beneficial Owners for whom they hold ADSs. The Depositary may remit to the Company all or a portion of the Depositary fees charged for the reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by the Company in respect of the ADR program established pursuant to the Deposit Agreement upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time."
SECTION 3.02 Change of Fees and Charges of the Depositary. All references
to the fees and/or charges of the Depositary made in the form of ADR attached as
Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement and in each of the ADRs outstanding, as of
the Effective Date, under the terms of the Deposit Agreement shall, as of the
Effective Date, refer to the Charges of the Depositary set forth in Paragraph
(10) of the Form of ADR attached as Exhibit A to this Amendment and the Fee
Schedule attached as Exhibit B to this Amendment.
ARTICLE IV
AMENDMENTS TO THE FEE SCHEDULE
SECTION 4.01 Amendment to Fee Schedule. The Fee Schedule annexed to the Deposit Agreement as Exhibit B is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and inserting Exhibit B to this Amendment in its stead.
ARTICLE V
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 5.01 Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners, that:
(a) This Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, and the Deposit Agreement and all other documentation executed and delivered by the Company in connection therewith, will be and have been, respectively, duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and
(b) In order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence of this Amendment or the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby, and other document furnished hereunder or thereunder in India, neither of such agreements need to be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in India, nor does any stamp or similar tax need be paid in India on or in respect of such agreements; and
(c) All of the information provided to the Depositary by the Company in connection with this Amendment is true, accurate and correct.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 6.01 New ADRs. From and after the Effective Date, the Depositary shall arrange to have new ADRs printed or amended that reflect the changes to the form of ADR effected by this Amendment. All ADRs issued hereunder after the Effective Date, once such new ADRs are available, whether upon the deposit of Shares or other Deposited Securities or upon the transfer, combination or split up of existing ADRs, shall be substantially in the form of the specimen ADR attached as Exhibit A hereto. However, ADRs issued prior or subsequent to the date hereof, which do not reflect the changes to the form of ADR effected hereby, do not need to be called in for exchange and may remain outstanding until such time as the Holders thereof choose to surrender them for any reason under the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary is authorized and directed to take any and all actions deemed necessary to effect the foregoing.
SECTION 6.02 Notice of Amendment to Holders of ADSs. The Depositary hereby confirms that the Notice of Amendment in the form attached as Exhibit C hereto has been mailed to Holders as of _____________, 2009.
SECTION 6.03 Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Depositary (and any and all of its directors, employees and officers) for any and all liability it or they may incur as a result of the terms of this Amendment and the transactions contemplated herein.
SECTION 6.04 Ratification. Except as expressly amended hereby, the terms, covenants and conditions of the Deposit Agreement as originally executed shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 6.05 Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without reference to its principles of choice of law.
SECTION 6.06 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of such counterparts together shall be deemed an original, and all such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have caused this Amendment to be executed by representatives thereunto duly authorized as of the date set forth above.
SIFY TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
Title:
CITIBANK, N.A., as Depositary
Title:
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF RECEIPT] Number CUSIP NUMBER: 82655M107 American Depositary Shares (each American Depositary Share representing one (1) equity share |
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED EQUITY SHARES
of
SIFY TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
(a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India)
CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that _____________is the owner of ______________ American Depositary Shares (hereinafter "ADS"), representing deposited equity shares, including evidence of rights to receive such equity shares (the "Shares") of Sify Technologies Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India and previously known as "Satyam Infoway Limited" (the "Company"). As of the date of the Deposit Agreement (as herein defined), each ADS represents one Share deposited under the Deposit Agreement with (except as contemplated in Section 5.10 of the Deposit Agreement) the Custodian, which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Citibank, N.A. - Mumbai Branch (the "Custodian"). The ratio of American Depositary Shares to Shares is subject to amendment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The address of the Corporate Agency Office of the Depositary is 388 Greenwich Street, 14th floor, New York, NY 10013. The Depositary's Corporate Agency Office is different from its Principal Executive Office. Its Principal Executive Office is at 399 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10043.
(1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs"), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of
January 6, 2000, as amended by Amendment No. 2 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002, as supplemented by the Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2007, and as further amended by Amendment No. 3, dated as of __________ (as so amended and as further amended and supplemented from time to time, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of ADSs, each of whom by accepting an ADS becomes bound by all the terms and provisions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities"). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Principal Office of the Depositary and with the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company (as in effect on the date of the signing of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the ADSs into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of ADSs held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such ADSs.
(2) Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
The Holder of this Receipt (and of the ADSs evidenced hereby) shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's designated office) to him or upon his order of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADS(s) evidenced hereby upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (i) the Holder (or a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) has duly Delivered to the Depositary at its Principal Office the ADSs evidenced hereby (and, if applicable, this Receipt) for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, (ii) if so required by the Depositary, this Receipt has been properly endorsed in blank or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) if so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the ADSs has executed and delivered to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in such order, and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereof) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the Deposit Agreement, of the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, and of any applicable laws and the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to any provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Upon satisfaction of each of the conditions specified above, the Depositary (i) shall cancel the ADSs Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the Receipt evidencing the ADSs so Delivered), (ii) shall direct the Registrar to record the cancellation of the ADSs so Delivered on the books maintained for such purpose, and (iii) shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's designated office the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs so canceled together with any certificate or other document of title for the Deposited Securities, or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available), as the case may be, to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in the order delivered to the Depositary for such purpose, subject however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, of this Receipt, of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, applicable laws and of the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to the terms and conditions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
The Depositary shall not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than one Share. In the case of surrender of ADSs representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) return to the person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share represented by the ADS(s) so surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the person surrendering the ADSs. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may make delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash dividends or cash distributions, or (ii) any proceeds from the sale of any distributions of shares or rights, which are at the time held by the Depositary in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by this Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering ADSs, represented by this Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held by the Custodian in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs to the Depositary for delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
(3) Transfer, Combination and Split-Up of Receipts. The Registrar shall promptly register the transfer of this Receipt (and of the ADSs represented thereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall cancel this Receipt and execute new Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by this Receipt when canceled, shall cause the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new Receipts to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) this Receipt has been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a transfer thereof, (ii) this Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) this Receipt has been duly stamped (if required by the
laws of the State of New York or of the United States), and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
The Registrar shall promptly register the split-up or combination of this
Receipt (and of the ADSs represented hereby) on the books maintained for such
purpose and the Depositary shall cancel this Receipt and execute new Receipts
for the number of ADSs requested, but in the aggregate not exceeding the number
of ADSs evidenced by this Receipt when canceled by the Depositary, shall cause
the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new
Receipts to or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if each of the following
conditions has been satisfied: (i) this Receipt has been duly Delivered by the
Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its
Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination hereof,
and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the
Depositary and all applicable taxes and government charges (as are set forth in
Section 5.9 and Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject,
however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the
Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of ADSs or of a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this Receipt, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of Receipts or ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations of the Depositary and the Company may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the delivery of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary, a Registrar or the Share Registrar, if any, are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon which the Receipts or Shares are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, or under any provision of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Article (24) hereof. Notwithstanding any
provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to the contrary, Holders are entitled to surrender outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities at any time subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time).
(5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with the laws of the Republic of India, the rules and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Reserve Bank of India, and of any stock exchange on which Shares or ADSs are, or will be registered, traded or listed or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, which require notification to the Company of interest in Deposited Securities, inter alia, as to certain acquisition or disposition of shares (or share equivalents) the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs (and Shares, as the case may be) and regarding the identity of any other person(s) then or previously interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owners at the time of such request.
(6) Ownership Restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Receipt or of the Deposit Agreement, the Company may restrict transfers of the Shares where such transfer might result in ownership of Shares exceeding limits imposed under applicable law and regulation, or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company. The Company may also restrict, in such manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of ADSs where such transfer may result in the total number of Shares represented by the ADSs owned by a single Holder or Beneficial Owner to exceed any such limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits set forth in the preceding sentence, including but not limited to, the imposition of restrictions on the transfer of ADSs, the removal or limitation of voting rights or a mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADSs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company.
(7) Liability of Holder for Taxes and Other Charges. If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any Deposited Securities or ADSs, such tax, or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the Custodian and/or Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof
remaining liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of
Shares and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver Receipts,
register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Article
(24) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities until payment in full of
such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial
Owner mat be required from time to time to indemnify the Depositary, the
Company, the Custodian, and any of their agents, officers, employees and
Affiliates for, and to hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect
to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any
tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner.
(8) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and that any preemptive rights have been validly waived or exercised, and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Except as contemplated by Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement each such person shall also be deemed to represent that Shares deposited by that person are not Restricted Securities, and that the deposit of Shares or sale of Receipts by that person is not restricted, under the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts or adjustments in the Depositary's records in respect thereof.
(9) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required by the Company or the Depositary, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary, the Company and the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval and approval for deposit, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties, and to provide such other information or documentation (or, in the case of Shares in registered form presented for deposit, such information relating to the registration of Shares on the books of the Shares Registrar) as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. Subject to Article (24) hereof and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or, to the extent not limited by Article 24 hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed, or such representations are made or such information and documentation are provided, in each case to the Depositary's, the Registrar's and the Company's satisfaction.
(10) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary shall charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement:
(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued upon the deposit of Shares, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement (excluding issuances pursuant to paragraphs (iii) and (iv) below);
(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so surrendered;
(iii) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held for the distribution of cash proceeds (i.e. upon the sale of rights and other entitlements); no fee shall be payable for the distribution of cash dividends or the distribution of ADSs pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of shares as long as such fees are prohibited by the exchange upon which the ADSs are listed;
(iv) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in the excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights;
(v) to any Holder of ADS(s), a fee not in excess of U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or fraction thereof) held on the applicable ADS Record Date(s) established by the Depositary.
In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, person depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
Any other charges and expenses of the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be paid by the Company upon agreement between the Depositary and the Company. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed, modified or waived by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Article (22) of this Receipt. The Depositary will provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
Depositary fees payable upon (i) deposit of Shares against issuance of ADSs and (ii) surrender of ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be charged by the Depositary to the person to whom the ADSs so issued are delivered (in the case of ADS issuances) and to the person who delivers the ADSs for cancellation to the Depositary (in the case of ADS cancellations). In the case of ADSs issued by the Depositary into DTC or presented to the Depositary via DTC, the ADS issuance and cancellation fees will be payable to the Depositary by the DTC Participant(s) receiving the ADSs from the Depositary or the DTC Participant(s) surrendering the ADSs to the Depositary for cancellation, as the case may be, on behalf of the Beneficial Owner(s) and will be charged by the DTC Participant(s) to the account(s) of the applicable Beneficial Owner(s) in accordance with the procedures and practices of the DTC participant(s) as in effect at the time. Depositary fees in respect of distributions and the Depositary services fee are payable to the Depositary by Holders as of the applicable ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. In the case of distributions of cash, the amount of the applicable Depositary fees is deducted by the Depositary from the funds being distributed. In the case of distributions other than cash and the Depositary service fee, the Depositary will invoice the applicable Holders as of the ADS Record Date established by the Depositary. For ADSs held through DTC, the Depositary fees for distributions other than cash and the Depositary service fee are charged by the Depositary to the DTC Participants in accordance with the procedures and practices prescribed by DTC from time to time and the DTC Participants in turn charge the amount of such fees to the Beneficial Owners for whom they hold ADSs. The Depositary may remit to the Company all or a portion of the Depositary fees charged for the reimbursement of certain expenses incurred by the Company in respect of the ADR program established pursuant to the Deposit Agreement upon such terms and conditions as the Company and the Depositary may agree from time to time.
(11) Title to Receipts. It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) shall be transferable on the same terms as a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York, provided that the Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary and the Company may deem and treat the Holder of this Receipt (that is, the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes. Neither
the Company nor the Depositary shall have any obligation nor be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to any holder of this Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the registered Holder of this Receipt or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner's representative is the registered Holder thereof.
(12) Validity of Receipt. This Receipt (and the American Depositary Shares represented hereby) shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company unless this Receipt has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar, and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Registrar for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary.
(13) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at 100 F St., N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at its Principal Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
The Registrar shall keep books for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Registrar's knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Registrar may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Article (24) hereof.
Dated: CITIBANK, N.A. CITIBANK, N.A., Transfer Agent and Registrar as Depositary By: By: ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Authorized Signatory Vice President |
The address of the Corporate Agency Office of the Depositary is 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, U.S.A.
[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
(14) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights securities or other entitlements under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will (i) if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), (ii) if applicable, establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9, and (iii) promptly distribute the amount thus received (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes withheld) to the Holders entitled thereto as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADS held as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and become part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of ADSs then outstanding. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend
in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall or cause such Shares to
be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name
of the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective nominees. Upon receipt of
confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall, subject
to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date
and either (i) the Depositary shall distribute to the Holders as of the ADS
Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date,
additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as
such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit
Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges
of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit
Agreement and (b) taxes), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed,
each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent
permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interest in the
additional integral number of Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities
represented thereby (net (a) of the applicable fees and charges of, and the
expenses incurred by, the Depositary, as provided in the Deposit Agreement and
(b) taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the
number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, represented by the aggregate of
such fractions and distribute the net proceeds upon the terms set forth in the
Deposit Agreement.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, if the Company in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of such (a) taxes and (b) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, distribute either (x) cash as in the case of a cash distribution or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares as in the case of a distribution of Shares. In either case, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, establish and ADS record date according to paragraph (16) and establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the distribution in cash, the dividend shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in Shares. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective distribution in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes rights to subscribe for additional Shares to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary upon consultation with the Company, shall determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any Holders only if (i) the Company shall have requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined, in consultation with the Company, that such distribution of rights is reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement) and establish procedures (x) to
distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs (by means of warrants or
otherwise), (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of
the subscription price and of the applicable (a) fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and
(b) taxes), and (z) to deliver ADSs upon the valid exercise of such rights.
Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make
available to the Holders a method to exercise rights to subscribe for Shares
(rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make
the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not
be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the
documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines in consultation
with the Company, that it is not reasonably practicable to make the rights
available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and
appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful
and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a riskless principal
capacity, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale)
as it may deem proper. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and
distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes) upon the terms hereof and of the
Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to
Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above,
the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be
responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be practicable to make
such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii)
any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or
exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the ADR Holders on
behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate is required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act (or other applicable law) covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights.
Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record, as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by them respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes withheld. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall (i) cause the proceeds of such sale, if any, to be converted into Dollars and (ii) distribute the proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement (b) taxes) to the Holders upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(15) Redemption. Upon timely receipt of notice from the Company that it intends to exercise its right of redemption in respect of any of the Deposited Securities, and a satisfactory opinion of counsel, and upon determining that such proposed redemption is practicable, the Depositary shall (to the extent practicable) mail to each Holder a notice setting forth the Company's intention to exercise the redemption rights and any other particulars set forth in the Company's notice to the Depositary. Upon receipt of confirmation that the redemption has taken place and that funds representing the redemption price have been received, the Depositary shall convert, transfer, distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and (b) taxes), retire ADSs and cancel ADRs upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders thereof upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. If less than all outstanding Deposited Securities are redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as may be determined by the Depositary. The redemption price per ADS shall be the dollar equivalent of per share amount received by the Depositary upon the redemption of the Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares (subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes) multiplied by the number of Units or Deposited Securities represented by each ADS redeemed.
(16) Fixing of ADS Record Date. Whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders of Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date ("ADS Record Date") for the determination of the Holders of Receipts who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or to give or withhold such consent, or to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of Receipts at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
(17) Voting of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of such consent or proxy. The Depositary shall (if requested in writing in a timely manner by the Company, at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist) mail to Holders: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxies, (b) a statement that the Holders as of the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association and the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's ADS and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions from a Holder of ADSs on the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the provisions of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Shares and/or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs held by such Holder, either on a show of hands, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with instructions received from Holders of a majority of the American Depositary Shares for which instructions have been given to the Depositary, or on a poll, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with the instructions received from the Holders giving instructions.
The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association provide that a poll may be demanded at any general meeting by a holder or holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares entitled to vote on a
resolution or (b) Shares with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000. As a result, unless specifically instructed by a Holder or Holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) entitled vote on a resolution or (b) Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000, the Custodian, acting on behalf of the Holders upon the instructions of the Depositary, may not join in demanding a poll. The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association (as in effect on the date hereof), further provide that the Chairman of the Board of the Company shall cast the deciding vote, in the event of a tie.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of, the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADS except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders. If voting instructions are received by the Depositary from any Holder on or before the date established by the Depositary for the receipt of such instructions, which are signed but without further indication as to specific instructions, the Depositary will deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to vote in favor of the items set forth in such instructions. Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADS for which no specific voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder shall not be voted. Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect to any meeting, or solicitation or consents or proxies, of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities if the taking of such action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing to the Shares or other Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions requested to be taken if so requested by the Depositary. There can be no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
(18) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in nominal or par value, split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement of or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. The Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to the form of Receipt contained in this Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities or
corporate change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
(19) Exoneration. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be
obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of
the Deposit Agreement or incur any liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner
(i) if the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or
subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or
delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the
Deposit Agreement and this Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or
future law or regulation of the United States, the Republic of India or any
other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or
stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or
restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future of the Articles of
Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company or any provision of or
governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or
other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation,
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes,
civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by
reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for
in this Deposit Agreement or in the Articles of Association and Memorandum of
Association of the Company or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities,
(iii) for any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information
from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any
Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other
person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or
information, (iv) for any inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit
from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available
to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, made available to Holders of ADS or (v) for any consequential or
punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The
Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, any Custodian and the Company,
its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting
upon any written notice, request or other document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No
disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of
the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt.
(20) Standard of Care. The Company and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the
Company and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Depositary and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote, provided that any such action or omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company.
(21) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor
Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the
Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company,
such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after
delivery thereof to the Company, or (ii) upon the appointment by the Company of
a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the
Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by
written notice of such removal which notice shall be effective on the earlier of
(i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary, or (ii) upon the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as
provided in the Deposit Agreement. In case at any time the Depositary acting
hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to
appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an
office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor
depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an
instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such
successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by
applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties
and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of
all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and
deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of
such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit
Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest
to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such
successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other
information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may
reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of
its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the
Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the
Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
(22) Amendment/Supplement. This Receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the prior written consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS(s), to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and this Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or regulations.
(23) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Holder will, upon surrender of such Holders' Receipt(s) at the Principal Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of ADSs referred to in Article (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts
shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, the Deposited Securities and the ADSs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
(24) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933.
(25) Certain Rights of the Depositary; Limitations. Subject to the further terms and provisions of this Article (25), the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf and on behalf of their clients, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees of ownership of Shares. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Deposit Agreement, including ADSs which were issued under (i) above but
for which Shares may not have been received (each such transaction a "Pre-Release Transaction"). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) accompanied by or subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the "Applicant") to whom ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant).
(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto ______________________________ whose taxpayer identification number is _______________________ and whose address including postal zip code is ________________, the within Receipt and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________________ attorney-in-fact to transfer said Receipt on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
Title:
NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to this
assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the within
instrument in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
If the endorsement be executed by an
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee
or guardian, the person executing the
endorsement must give his/her full title in
such capacity and proper evidence of
authority to act in such capacity, if not on
file with the Depositary, must be forwarded
with this Receipt.
All endorsements or assignments of Receipts
must be guaranteed by a member of a
Medallion Signature Program approved by the
Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
Legends
[The Receipts issued in respect of Partial Entitlement American Depositary Shares shall bear the following legend on the face of the Receipt: "This Receipt evidences American Depositary Shares representing `partial entitlement' equity shares ("Shares") of Sify Technologies Limited and as such do not entitle the holders thereof to the same per-share entitlement as other Shares (which are `full entitlement' Shares) issued and outstanding at such time. The American Depositary Shares represented by this Receipt shall entitle holders to distributions and entitlements identical to other American Depositary Shares when the Shares represented by such American Depositary Shares become `full entitlement' Shares."
[This certificate represents "Restricted ADSs" issued upon the terms of Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined). This certificate and the Restricted ADSs represented hereby may not be sold or otherwise transferred without an effective registration statement for such securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless an exemption from registration under said act is available for such sale or transfer.]
EXHIBIT B
FEE SCHEDULE
DEPOSITARY FEES AND RELATED CHARGES
All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
I. Depositary Fees
The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners and the persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation agree to pay the following fees of the Depositary:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service Rate By Whom Paid ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Issuance of ADSs upon deposit Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person for whom deposits are made of Shares (excluding fraction thereof) issued. or party receiving ADSs. issuances contemplated by paragraph (4) below). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Delivery of Deposited Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person surrendering ADSs or making Securities, property and fraction thereof) surrendered. withdrawal. cash against surrender of ADSs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Distribution of cash Up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person to whom distribution is made. dividends or other cash fraction thereof) held. distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Distribution ADSs pursuant to Up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person to whom distribution is made. (i) stock dividends or other fraction thereof) issued. free distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Depositary Services. Up to U.S. $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person holding ADSs on the fraction thereof) held on the applicable record date(s) applicable record date(s) established by the Depositary. established by the Depositary. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
II. Charges
Holders, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities shall be responsible for the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
EXHIBIT C
NOTICE TO HOLDERS
SIFY TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
NOTICE OF AMENDMENT
To the Holders of American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") representing the Deposited Securities of the Company.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Company: Sify Technologies Limited, a limited liability company incorporated under the laws of the Republic of India. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Depositary: Citibank, N.A. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Custodian: Citibank, N.A. - Mumbai Branch -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposited Securities: Equity Shares of the Company (the "Shares"). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADS CUSIP No.: 82655 M 10 7. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shares to ADS Ratio: One (1) Share to one (1) ADS. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deposit Agreement: Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 19, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000, as further amended by Amendment No. 2 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002, and as supplemented by the Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2007 (as so amended and supplemented, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary and all Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs, as proposed to be further amended by Amendment No. 3 to Deposit Agreement (the "Amendment"). -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Effective Date: The later to occur of (i) the expiration of 30 days from the date hereof and (ii) date on which the US Securities and Exchange Commission declares effective the applicable Form F-6 Registration Statement. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary have agreed to amend the Deposit Agreement, the form of ADR attached as Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement, and all issued and outstanding ADRs to permit the Depositary to charge additional fees in respect of the ADSs. A copy of the newly amended fee schedule of the Depositary is attached to this notice.
By continuing to hold any outstanding ADS issued under the Deposit Agreement after the Effective Date, you will be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the
Deposit Agreement as amended by the Amendment. The Depositary shall arrange to have new ADRs printed that reflect the changes effected by the Amendment. If you hold ADRs issued prior to the Effective Date, your ADRs do not need to be surrendered for exchange. If you hold ADSs in uncertificated form, you do not need to take any action.
A draft copy of the Amendment has been filed with the SEC on ________________ under cover of Registration Statement on Form F-6 (Registration No. 333-_________________). Copies of the Deposit Agreement and the form of the Amendment are available from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and from the Depositary's office located at 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013.
If you have any questions regarding the Amendment, please call Citibank, N.A. -- ADS Holder Services at 1-877-248-4237.
Citibank, N.A., as Depositary
______________, 2009
Exhibit (a)(ii)
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
AND
CITIBANK, N.A.,
As Depositary
AND
HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
ISSUED HEREUNDER
Amendment No. 2
to
Deposit Agreement
Dated as of September 24, 2002
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, is made as of September 24, 2002 (the "Amendment"), by and among SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED a company organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of India (the "Company"), CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America and acting solely as depositary (the "Depositary"), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued under the American Deposit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H T H A T
WHEREAS, the parties hereto entered into that certain Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000 (as so amended the "Deposit Agreement"), for the creation of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") evidencing American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") representing the Shares (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) so deposited and for the execution and delivery of such ADRs evidencing such ADSs;
WHEREAS, the Company has changed the ratio of Shares to ADSs (as set forth in Section 1.3 of the Deposit Agreement) from (i) one (1) Share to four (4) ADSs to (ii) one (1) Share to one (1) ADS, and desires to amend the Deposit Agreement to reflect such change; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary deem it necessary and desirable to amend the Deposit Agreement and the form of ADR annexed thereto as Exhibit A for the purposes set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary hereby agree to amend the Deposit Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this Amendment, all capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
SECTION 2.01 Deposit Agreement. All references in the Deposit Agreement to the term "Deposit Agreement" shall, as of the Effective Date (as herein defined), refer to the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000, and as further amended by this Amendment No. 2.
SECTION 2.02 Change of Ratio. All references made in the Deposit Agreement to each American Depositary Share representing one-fourth (1/4) of a Share shall, as of the Effective Date, refer to each American Depositary Share representing one (1) Share.
ARTICLE III
AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF ADR
SECTION 3.01 Change of Ratio. All references made in the ADRs issued and outstanding to each American Depositary Share representing one-fourth (1/4) of a Share shall, as of the Effective Date, refer to each American Depositary Share representing one (1) Share.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01 Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Depositary and the Holders, that:
(a) This Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, and the Deposit Agreement and all other documentation executed and delivered by the Company in connection therewith, will be and have been, respectively, duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and
(b) In order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence of this Amendment or the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby, and any other document furnished hereunder or thereunder in the Republic of India, neither of such agreements need to be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in the Republic of India, nor does any stamp or similar tax need to be paid in the Republic of India on or in respect of such agreements; and
(c) All of the information provided to the Depositary by the Company in connection with this Amendment is true, accurate and correct.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.01 Effective Date. This Amendment is dated as of the date set forth above and shall be effective as of such date (the "Effective Date").
SECTION 5.02 New ADRs. From and after the Effective Date, the Depositary shall arrange to have new ADRs printed or amended that reflect the changes to the form of ADRs effected by this Amendment. All ADRs issued hereunder after the Effective Date, once such new ADRs are available, whether upon the deposit of Shares or other Deposited Securities or upon the transfer, combination or split-up of existing ADRs, shall be substantially in the form of the specimen ADRs attached as Exhibit A hereto. However, ADRs issued prior or subsequent to the date hereof, which do not reflect the changes to the form of ADRs effected hereby, do not need to be called in for exchange and may remain outstanding until such time as the Holders thereof choose to surrender them for any reason under the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary is authorized and directed to take any and all actions deemed necessary to effect the foregoing.
SECTION 5.03 Notice of Amendment to Holders. The Depositary is hereby directed to send notices informing the Holders of (i) the terms of this Amendment, (ii) the Effective Date of this Amendment and (iii) that the Holders shall be given the opportunity, but that it is unnecessary, to surrender outstanding ADRs.
SECTION 5.04 Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Depositary (and any and all of its directors, employees and officers) for any and all liability it or they may incur as a result of the terms of this Amendment and the transactions contemplated herein.
SECTION 5.05 Ratification. Except as expressly amended hereby, the terms, covenants and conditions of the Deposit Agreement as originally executed shall remain in full force and effect.
SECTION 5.06 Counterparts. This Amendment may be executed in two or more parts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have caused this Amendment to be executed by representatives thereunto duly authorized as of the date set forth above.
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
By: /s/ R. Ramaraj ---------------------------- Name: R. Ramaraj Title: Chief Executive Officer |
CITIBANK, N.A., as Depositary
By: /s/ ST Yang ---------------------------- Name: ST Yang Title: Vice President |
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF RECEIPT] Number CUSIP NUMBER: 804099109 American Depositary Shares (each American Depositary Share representing one equity share, Par value Rs. 10 per share) |
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED EQUITY SHARES
of
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
(a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India)
CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that _____________is the owner of ______________ American Depositary Shares (hereinafter "ADS"), representing deposited equity shares, each of par value of Rs.10 per share, including evidence of rights to receive such equity shares (the "Shares") of Satyam Infoway Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India (the "Company"). As of the date of the Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), each ADS represents one Share deposited under the Deposit Agreement with (except as contemplated in Section 5.10 of the Deposit Agreement) the Custodian, which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Citibank, N.A. - Mumbai Branch (the "Custodian"). The ratio of American Depositary Shares to Shares is subject to amendment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary's Principal Office is located at 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, U.S.A.
(1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts ("Receipts"), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999 (as amended from time to time, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") evidenced by Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting an ADS (or an interest therein) agrees to become a party thereto and becomes bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities"). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Principal Office of the Depositary and with the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company (as in effect on the date of the signing of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the ADSs into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of ADSs held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such ADSs.
(2) Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
The Holder of this Receipt (and of the ADSs evidenced hereby) shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's designated office) to him or upon his order of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADS(s) evidenced hereby upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (i) the Holder (or a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) has duly Delivered to the Depositary at its Principal Office the ADSs evidenced hereby (and, if applicable, this Receipt) for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, (ii) if so required by the Depositary, this Receipt has been properly endorsed in blank or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) if so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the ADSs has executed and delivered to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in such order, and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereof) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the Deposit Agreement, of the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, and of any applicable laws and the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to any provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Upon satisfaction of each of the conditions specified above, the Depositary (i) shall cancel the ADSs Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the Receipt evidencing the ADSs so Delivered), (ii) shall direct the Registrar to record the cancellation of the ADSs so Delivered on the books maintained for such purpose, and (iii) shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's designated office the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs so canceled together with any certificate or other document of title for the Deposited Securities, or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available), as the case may be, to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in the order delivered to the Depositary for such purpose, subject however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, of this Receipt, of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, applicable laws and of the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to the terms and conditions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
The Depositary shall not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than one Share. In the case of surrender of ADSs representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) return to the person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share represented by the ADS(s) so surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the person surrendering the ADSs. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may make delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash dividends or cash distributions, or (ii) any proceeds from the sale of any distributions of shares or rights, which are at the time held by the Depositary in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by this Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering ADSs, represented by this Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held by the Custodian in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs to the Depositary for delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
(3) Transfer, Combination and Split-Up of Receipts. The Registrar shall promptly register the transfer of this Receipt (and of the ADSs represented thereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall cancel this Receipt and execute new Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by this Receipt when canceled, shall cause the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new Receipts
to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) this Receipt has been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a transfer thereof, (ii) this Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) this Receipt has been duly stamped (if required by the laws of the State of New York or of the United States), and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
The Registrar shall promptly register the split-up or combination of this
Receipt (and of the ADSs represented hereby) on the books maintained for such
purpose and the Depositary shall cancel this Receipt and execute new Receipts
for the number of ADSs requested, but in the aggregate not exceeding the number
of ADSs evidenced by this Receipt when canceled by the Depositary, shall cause
the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new
Receipts to or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if each of the following
conditions has been satisfied: (i) this Receipt has been duly Delivered by the
Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its
Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination hereof,
and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the
Depositary and all applicable taxes and government charges (as are set forth in
Section 5.9 and Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject,
however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the
Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of ADSs or of a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this Receipt, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of Receipts or ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations of the Depositary and the Company may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the delivery of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration
of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary, a Registrar or the Share Registrar, if any, are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon which the Receipts or Shares are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, or under any provision of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Article (24) hereof. Notwithstanding any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to the contrary, Holders are entitled to surrender outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities at any time subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time).
(5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with the laws of the Republic of India, the rules and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Reserve Bank of India, and of any stock exchange on which Shares or ADSs are, or will be registered, traded or listed or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, which require notification to the Company of interest in Deposited Securities, inter alia, as to certain acquisition or disposition of shares (or share equivalents) the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs (and Shares, as the case may be) and regarding the identity of any other person(s) then or previously interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owners at the time of such request.
(6) Ownership Restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Receipt or of the Deposit Agreement, the Company may restrict transfers of the Shares where such transfer might result in ownership of Shares exceeding limits imposed under applicable law and regulation, or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company. The Company may also restrict, in such manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of ADSs where such transfer may result in the total number of Shares represented by the ADSs owned by a single Holder or Beneficial Owner to exceed any such limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits set forth in the preceding sentence, including but not limited to, the imposition of restrictions on the transfer of ADSs, the removal or limitation of voting rights or a mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADSs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company.
(7) Liability of Holder for Taxes and Other Charges. If any tax or other
governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any
Deposited Securities or ADSs, such tax, or other governmental charge shall be
payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the
Custodian and/or Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made
in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of Holder and/or
Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such
distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable
interest and penalties) or charges, the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof
remaining liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of
Shares and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver Receipts,
register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Article
(24) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities until payment in full of
such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial
Owner mat be required from time to time to indemnify the Depositary, the
Company, the Custodian, and any of their agents, officers, employees and
Affiliates for, and to hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect
to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any
tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner.
(8) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and that any preemptive rights have been validly waived or exercised, and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Except as contemplated by Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement each such person shall also be deemed to represent that Shares deposited by that person are not Restricted Securities, and that the deposit of Shares or sale of Receipts by that person is not restricted, under the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts or adjustments in the Depositary's records in respect thereof.
(9) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required by the Company or the Depositary, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary, the Company and the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval and approval for deposit, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties, and to provide such other information or documentation (or, in the case of Shares in registered form presented for deposit, such information relating to the registration of Shares on the books of the Shares Registrar) as the
Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. Subject to Article (24) hereof and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or, to the extent not limited by Article 24 hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed, or such representations are made or such information and documentation are provided, in each case to the Depositary's, the Registrar's and the Company's satisfaction.
(10) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary shall charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement:
(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued upon the deposit of Shares, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement (excluding issuances pursuant to paragraphs (iii) and (iv) below);
(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so surrendered;
(iii) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held for the distribution of cash proceeds (i.e. upon the sale of rights and other entitlements); no fee shall be payable for the distribution of cash dividends or the distribution of ADSs pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of shares as long as such fees are prohibited by the exchange upon which the ADSs are listed.
(iv) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in the excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights.
In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, person depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
Any other charges and expenses of the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be paid by the Company upon agreement between the Depositary and the Company. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Article (22) of this Receipt. The Depositary will provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
(11) Title to Receipts. It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) shall be transferable on the same terms as a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York, provided that the Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary and the Company may deem and treat the Holder of this Receipt (that is, the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes. Neither the Company nor the Depositary shall have any obligation nor be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to any holder of this Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the registered Holder of this Receipt or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner's representative is the registered Holder thereof.
(12) Validity of Receipt. This Receipt (and the Americana Depositary Shares represented hereby) shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company unless this Receipt has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar, and (iv) registered in the books
maintained by the Registrar for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary.
(13) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at its Principal Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
The Registrar shall keep books for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Registrar's knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Registrar may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Article (24) hereof.
Dated: CITIBANK, N.A. CITIBANK, N.A., Transfer Agent and Registrar as Depositary By: By: ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Authorized Signatory Vice President |
The address of the Principal Office of the Depositary is 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, U.S.A.
[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
(14) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights securities or other entitlements under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will (i) if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), (ii) if applicable, establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9, and (iii) promptly distribute the amount thus received (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes withheld) to the Holders entitled thereto as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADS held as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and become part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of ADSs then outstanding. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall or cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and either (i) the Depositary shall distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interest in the additional integral number of Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net (a) of the applicable fees and charges of, and the
expenses incurred by, the Depositary, as provided in the Deposit Agreement and
(b) taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the
number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, represented by the aggregate of
such fractions and distribute the net proceeds upon the terms set forth in the
Deposit Agreement.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, if the Company in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of such (a) taxes and (b) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, distribute either (x) cash as in the case of a cash distribution or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares as in the case of a distribution of Shares. In either case, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, establish and ADS record date according to paragraph (16) and establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the distribution in cash, the dividend shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in Shares. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective distribution in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes rights to subscribe for additional Shares to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary upon consultation with the Company, shall determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any Holders only if (i) the Company shall have requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation
contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have
determined, in consultation with the Company, that such distribution of rights
is reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary
shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions set forth
above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the
terms described in the Deposit Agreement) and establish procedures (x) to
distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs (by means of warrants or
otherwise), (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of
the subscription price and of the applicable (a) fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and
(b) taxes), and (z) to deliver ADSs upon the valid exercise of such rights.
Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make
available to the Holders a method to exercise rights to subscribe for Shares
(rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make
the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not
be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the
documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines in consultation
with the Company, that it is not reasonably practicable to make the rights
available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and
appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful
and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a riskless principal
capacity, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale)
as it may deem proper. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and
distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes) upon the terms hereof and of the
Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to
Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above,
the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be
responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be practicable to make
such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii)
any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or
exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the ADR Holders on
behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate is required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act (or other applicable law) covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary
determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights.
Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record, as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by them respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes withheld. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall (i) cause the proceeds of such sale, if any, to be converted into Dollars and (ii) distribute the proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement (b) taxes) to the Holders upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(15) Redemption. Upon timely receipt of notice from the Company that it intends to exercise its right of redemption in respect of any of the Deposited Securities, and a satisfactory opinion of counsel, and upon determining that such proposed redemption is practicable, the Depositary shall (to the extent practicable) mail to each Holder a notice setting forth the Company's intention to exercise the redemption rights and any other particulars set forth in the Company's notice to the Depositary. Upon receipt of confirmation that the redemption has taken place and that funds representing the redemption price have
been received, the Depositary shall convert, transfer, distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and (b) taxes), retire ADSs and cancel ADRs upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders thereof upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. If less than all outstanding Deposited Securities are redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as may be determined by the Depositary. The redemption price per ADS shall be the dollar equivalent of per share amount received by the Depositary upon the redemption of the Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares (subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes) multiplied by the number of Units or Deposited Securities represented by each ADS redeemed.
(16) Fixing of ADS Record Date. Whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders of Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date ("ADS Record Date") for the determination of the Holders of Receipts who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or to give or withhold such consent, or to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of Receipts at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
(17) Voting of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of such consent or proxy. The Depositary shall (if requested in writing in a timely manner by the Company, at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist) mail to Holders: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxies, (b) a statement that the Holders as of the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association and the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's ADS and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions from a Holder of ADSs on the ADS Record Date in
the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the provisions of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Shares and/or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs held by such Holder, either on a show of hands, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with instructions received from Holders of a majority of the American Depositary Shares for which instructions have been given to the Depositary, or on a poll, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with the instructions received from the Holders giving instructions.
The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association provide that a poll may be demanded at any general meeting by a holder or holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares entitled to vote on a resolution or (b) Shares with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000. As a result, unless specifically instructed by a Holder or Holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) entitled vote on a resolution or (b) Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000, the Custodian, acting on behalf of the Holders upon the instructions of the Depositary, may not join in demanding a poll. The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association (as in effect on the date hereof), further provide that the Chairman of the Board of the Company shall cast the deciding vote, in the event of a tie.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of, the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADS except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders. If voting instructions are received by the Depositary from any Holder on or before the date established by the Depositary for the receipt of such instructions, which are signed but without further indication as to specific instructions, the Depositary will deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to vote in favor of the items set forth in such instructions. Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADS for which no specific voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder shall not be voted. Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect to any meeting, or solicitation or consents or proxies, of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities if the taking of such action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing to the Shares or other Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions requested to be taken if so requested by the Depositary. There can be no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
(18) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in nominal or par value, split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement of or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. The Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to the form of Receipt contained in this Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities or corporate change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
(19) Exoneration. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be
obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of
the Deposit Agreement or incur any liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner
(i) if the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or
subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or
delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the
Deposit Agreement and this Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or
future law or regulation of the United States, the Republic of India or any
other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or
stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or
restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future of the Articles of
Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company or any provision of or
governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or
other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation,
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes,
civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by
reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for
in this Deposit Agreement or in the Articles of Association and Memorandum of
Association of the Company or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities,
(iii) for any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information
from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any
Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other
person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or
information, (iv) for any inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit
from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available
to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, made available to Holders of ADS or (v) for any consequential or
punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The
Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, any Custodian and the Company,
its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting
upon any written notice, request or other document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No
disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of
the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt.
(20) Standard of Care. The Company and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Company and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Depositary and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote, provided that any such action or omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company.
(21) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor
Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the
Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company,
such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after
delivery thereof to the Company, or (ii) upon the appointment by the Company of
a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the
Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by
written notice of such removal which notice shall be effective on the earlier of
(i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary, or (ii) upon the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
(22) Amendment/Supplement. This Receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the prior written consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS(s), to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and this Receipt at any
time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or regulations.
(23) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Holder will, upon surrender of such Holders' Receipt(s) at the Principal Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of ADSs referred to in Article (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, the Deposited Securities and the ADSs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and
any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
(24) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933.
(25) Certain Rights of the Depositary; Limitations. Subject to the further terms and provisions of this Article (25), the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf and on behalf of their clients, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees of ownership of Shares. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Deposit Agreement, including ADSs which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been received (each such transaction a "Pre-Release Transaction"). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) accompanied by or subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the "Applicant") to whom ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant).
(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto ______________________________ whose taxpayer identification number is _______________________ and whose address including postal zip code is ________________, the within Receipt and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________________ attorney-in-fact to transfer said Receipt on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
Title:
NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to this
assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the within
instrument in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
If the endorsement be executed by an
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee
or guardian, the person executing the
endorsement must give his/her full title in
such capacity and proper evidence of
authority to act in such capacity, if not on
file with the Depositary, must be forwarded
with this Receipt.
All endorsements or assignments of Receipts
must be guaranteed by a member of a
Medallion Signature Program approved by the
Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
Legends
[The Receipts issued in respect of Partial Entitlement American Depositary Shares shall bear the following legend on the face of the Receipt: "This Receipt evidences American Depositary Shares representing partial entitlement' equity shares, par value Rs.10 per share ("Shares"), of Satyam Infoway Limited and as such do not entitle the holders thereof to the same per-share entitlement as other Shares (which are "full entitlement" Shares) issued and outstanding at such time. The American Depositary Shares represented by this Receipt shall entitle holders to distributions and entitlements identical to other American Depositary Shares when the Shares represented by such American Depositary Shares become "full entitlement" Shares.]
[This certificate represents "Restricted ADSs" issued upon the terms of Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined). This certificate and the Restricted ADSs represented hereby may not be sold or otherwise transferred without an effective registration statement for such securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless an exemption from registration under said act is available for such sale or transfer.
EXHIBIT B
FEE SCHEDULE
DEPOSITARY FEES AND RELATED CHARGES
All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
I. Depositary Fees
The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners and the persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation agree to pay the following fees of the Depositary:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service Rate By Whom Paid ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Issuance of ADSs upon deposit Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person for whom deposits are made of Shares (excluding fraction thereof) issued. or party receiving ADSs. issuances contemplated by paragraph (4) below). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Delivery of Deposited Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person surrendering ADSs or making Securities, property and fraction thereof) surrendered. withdrawal. cash against surrender of ADSs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Distribution of cash up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person to whom distribution is made. dividends or other cash fraction thereof) held. distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Distribution ADSs pursuant to Up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person to whom distribution is made. (i) stock dividends or other fraction thereof) issued. free distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
II. Charges
Holders, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities shall be responsible for the following charges:
(ii) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(iii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iv) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(v) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(vi) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vii) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
Exhibit (a)(iii)
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
AND
CITIBANK, N.A.,
As Depositary
AND
HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS
ISSUED THEREUNDER
Amendment No. 1
to
Deposit Agreement
Dated as of January 6, 2000
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO DEPOSIT AGREIEMENT
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of January 6, 2000 (the "Amendment"), by and among Satyam Infoway Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India (the "Company"), Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America and acting as depositary, and any successor depositary hereunder (the "Depositary"), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued under the Deposit Agreement.
W I T N E S S E T H T H A T
WHEREAS, the parties hereto entered into that certain Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999 (the "Deposit Agreement"), for the creation of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") evidencing American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") representing the Shares (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) so deposited and for the execution and delivery of such ADRs evidencing such ADSs;
WHEREAS, the Company has instructed the Depositary to change the ratio of Shares (as defined in the Deposit Agreement) to ADSs from (i) one (1) Share to one (1) ADS to (ii) one fourth (1/4) of a Share to one (1) ADS, and desires to amend the Deposit Agreement to reflect such change; and,
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary deem it necessary and desirable to amend the Deposit Agreement and the form of ADR annexed thereto as Exhibit A for the purposes set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and the Depositary hereby agree to amend the Deposit Agreement as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
SECTION 1.01 Definitions. Unless otherwise defined in this Amendment, all capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS TO DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
SECTION 2.01 Deposit Agreement. All references in the Deposit Agreement to the term "Deposit Agreement" shall, as of the Effective Date (as herein defined), refer to the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by this Amendment.
SECTION 2.02 Change of Ratio. All references made in the Deposit Agreement to each American Depositary Share representing one (1) Share shall, as of the Effective Date, refer to each American Depositary Share representing one fourth (1/4) of a Share.
ARTICLE III
AMENDMENTS TO THE FORM OF ADR
SECTION 3.01 Change of Ratio. All references to each American Depositary Share representing one (1) Share made in the ADRs issued and outstanding as of the Effective Date shall refer to each American Depositary Share representing one fourth (1/4) of a Share.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
SECTION 4.01 Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Depositary and the Holders, that:
(a) This Amendment, when executed and delivered by the Company, and the Deposit Agreement and all other documentation executed and delivered by the Company in connection therewith, will be and have been, respectively, duly and validly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company, and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and
(b) In order to ensure the legality, validity, enforceability or admissibility into evidence of this Amendment or the Deposit Agreement as amended hereby, and any other document furnished hereunder or thereunder in the Republic of India, neither of such agreements need to be filed or recorded with any court or other authority in the Republic of India, nor does any stamp or similar tax need to be paid in the Republic of India on or in respect of such agreements; and
(c) All of the information provided to the Depositary by the Company in connection with this Amendment is true, accurate and correct.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
SECTION 5.01 Effective Date. This Amendment is dated as of the date set forth above and shall be effective as of such date (the "Effective Date").
SECTION 5.02 New ADRs. From and after the Effective Date, the Depositary shall arrange to have new ADRs printed or amended that reflect the changes to
the form of ADR effected by this Amendment. All ADRs issued hereunder after the Effective Date, once such new ADRs are available, whether upon the deposit of Shares or other Deposited Securities or upon the transfer, combination or split-up of existing ADRs, shall be substantially in the form of the specimen ADR attached as Exhibit A hereto. However, ADRs issued prior or subsequent to the date hereof, which do not reflect the changes to the form of ADR effected hereby, do not need to be called in for exchange and may remain outstanding until such time as the Holders thereof choose to surrender them for any reason under the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary is authorized and directed to take any and all actions deemed necessary to effect the foregoing.
SECTION 5.03 Notice of Amendment to Holders. The Depositary is hereby directed to send notices informing the Holders of (i) the terms of this Amendment, (ii) the Effective Date of this Amendment and (iii) that the Holders shall be given the opportunity, but that it is unnecessary, to surrender outstanding Receipts.
SECTION 5.04 Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Depositary (and any and all of its directors, employees and officers) for any and all liability it or they may incur as a result of the terms of this Amendment and the transactions contemplated herein, except to the extent such liability is due to the negligence or bad faith of any of them.
SECTION 5.05 Ratification. Except as expressly amended hereby, the terms, covenants and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, as originally executed, shall remain in full force, and effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Depositary have caused this Amendment to be executed by representatives thereunto duly authorized as of the date set forth above.
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED, as Company
By: /s/ Ramaraj ------------------------------ Name: R. Ramaraj Title: Chief Executive Officer |
CITIBANK, N.A., as Depositary
By: /s/ ST Yang ------------------------------ Name: ST Yang Title: Vice President |
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF RECEIPT] Number CUSIP NUMBER: 804099109 American Depositary Shares (each equity share representing four (4) American Depositary Shares) |
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED EQUITY SHARES
of
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
(a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India)
CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that _____________is the owner of ______________ American Depositary Shares (hereinafter "ADS"), representing deposited equity shares, each of par value of Rs.10 per share, including evidence of rights to receive such equity shares (the "Shares") of Satyam Infoway Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India (the "Company"). As of the date of the Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), each ADS represents one Share deposited under the Deposit Agreement with (except as contemplated in Section 5.10 of the Deposit Agreement) the Custodian, which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Citibank, N.A. - Mumbai Branch (the "Custodian"). The ratio of American Depositary Shares to Shares is subject to amendment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary's Principal Office is located at 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, U.S.A.
(1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts ("Receipts"), all issued and to be issued
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999 (as amended from time to time, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") evidenced by Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting an ADS (or an interest therein) agrees to become a party thereto and becomes bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities"). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Principal Office of the Depositary and with the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company (as in effect on the date of the signing of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the ADSs into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of ADSs held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such ADSs.
(2) Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
The Holder of this Receipt (and of the ADSs evidenced hereby) shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's designated office) to him or upon his order of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADS(s) evidenced hereby upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (i) the Holder (or a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) has duly Delivered to the Depositary at its Principal Office the ADSs evidenced hereby (and, if applicable, this Receipt) for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, (ii) if so required by the Depositary, this Receipt has been properly endorsed in blank or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) if so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the ADSs has executed and delivered to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in such order, and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereof) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the Deposit Agreement, of the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, and of any applicable laws and the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to any provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Upon satisfaction of each of the conditions specified above, the Depositary (i) shall cancel the ADSs Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the Receipt evidencing the ADSs so Delivered), (ii) shall direct the Registrar to record the cancellation of the ADSs so Delivered on the books maintained for such purpose, and (iii) shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's designated office the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs so canceled together with any certificate or other document of title for the Deposited Securities, or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available), as the case may be, to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in the order delivered to the Depositary for such purpose, subject however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, of this Receipt, of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, applicable laws and of the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to the terms and conditions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
The Depositary shall not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than one Share. In the case of surrender of ADSs representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) return to the person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share represented by the ADS(s) so surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the person surrendering the ADSs. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may make delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash dividends or cash distributions, or (ii) any proceeds from the sale of any distributions of shares or rights, which are at the time held by the Depositary in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by this Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering ADSs, represented by this Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held by the Custodian in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs to the Depositary for delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
(3) Transfer, Combination and Split-Up of Receipts. The Registrar shall promptly register the transfer of this Receipt (and of the ADSs represented thereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall cancel this Receipt and execute new Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by this Receipt when canceled, shall cause the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new Receipts to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, if each of the following
conditions has been satisfied: (i) this Receipt has been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a transfer thereof, (ii) this Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) this Receipt has been duly stamped (if required by the laws of the State of New York or of the United States), and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
The Registrar shall promptly register the split-up or combination of this
Receipt (and of the ADSs represented hereby) on the books maintained for such
purpose and the Depositary shall cancel this Receipt and execute new Receipts
for the number of ADSs requested, but in the aggregate not exceeding the number
of ADSs evidenced by this Receipt when canceled by the Depositary, shall cause
the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new
Receipts to or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if each of the following
conditions has been satisfied: (i) this Receipt has been duly Delivered by the
Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its
Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination hereof,
and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the
Depositary and all applicable taxes and government charges (as are set forth in
Section 5.9 and Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject,
however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the
Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of ADSs or of a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this Receipt, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of Receipts or ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations of the Depositary and the Company may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the delivery of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any
period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary, a Registrar or the Share Registrar, if any, are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon which the Receipts or Shares are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, or under any provision of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Article (24) hereof. Notwithstanding any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to the contrary, Holders are entitled to surrender outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities at any time subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time).
(5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with the laws of the Republic of India, the rules and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Reserve Bank of India, and of any stock exchange on which Shares or ADSs are, or will be registered, traded or listed or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, which require notification to the Company of interest in Deposited Securities, inter alia, as to certain acquisition or disposition of shares (or share equivalents) the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs (and Shares, as the case may be) and regarding the identity of any other person(s) then or previously interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owners at the time of such request.
(6) Ownership Restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Receipt or of the Deposit Agreement, the Company may restrict transfers of the Shares where such transfer might result in ownership of Shares exceeding limits imposed under applicable law and regulation, or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company. The Company may also restrict, in such manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of ADSs where such transfer may result in the total number of Shares represented by the ADSs owned by a single Holder or Beneficial Owner to exceed any such limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits set forth in the preceding sentence, including but not limited to, the imposition of restrictions on the transfer of ADSs, the removal or limitation of voting rights or a mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADSs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company.
(7) Liability of Holder for Taxes and Other Charges. If any tax or other
governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any
Deposited Securities or ADSs, such tax, or other governmental charge shall be
payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the
Custodian and/or Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made
in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of Holder and/or
Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such
distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable
interest and penalties) or charges, the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof
remaining liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of
Shares and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver Receipts,
register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Article
(24) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities until payment in full of
such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial
Owner mat be required from time to time to indemnify the Depositary, the
Company, the Custodian, and any of their agents, officers, employees and
Affiliates for, and to hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect
to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any
tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner.
(8) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and that any preemptive rights have been validly waived or exercised, and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Except as contemplated by Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement each such person shall also be deemed to represent that Shares deposited by that person are not Restricted Securities, and that the deposit of Shares or sale of Receipts by that person is not restricted, under the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts or adjustments in the Depositary's records in respect thereof.
(9) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required by the Company or the Depositary, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary, the Company and the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval and approval for deposit, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties, and to provide such other information or documentation (or, in the case of Shares in registered form presented for deposit, such information relating to the registration of Shares on the books of the Shares Registrar) as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its
obligations under the Deposit Agreement. Subject to Article (24) hereof and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or, to the extent not limited by Article 24 hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed, or such representations are made or such information and documentation are provided, in each case to the Depositary's, the Registrar's and the Company's satisfaction.
(10) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary shall charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement:
(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued upon the deposit of Shares, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement (excluding issuances pursuant to paragraphs (iii) and (iv) below);
(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so surrendered;
(iii) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held for the distribution of cash proceeds (i.e. upon the sale of rights and other entitlements); no fee shall be payable for the distribution of cash dividends or the distribution of ADSs pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of shares as long as such fees are prohibited by the exchange upon which the ADSs are listed.
(iv) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in the excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights.
In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, person depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
Any other charges and expenses of the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be paid by the Company upon agreement between the Depositary and the Company. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Article (22) of this Receipt. The Depositary will provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
(11) Title to Receipts. It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) shall be transferable on the same terms as a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York, provided that the Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary and the Company may deem and treat the Holder of this Receipt (that is, the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes. Neither the Company nor the Depositary shall have any obligation nor be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to any holder of this Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the registered Holder of this Receipt or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner's representative is the registered Holder thereof.
(12) Validity of Receipt. This Receipt (and the Americana Depositary Shares represented hereby) shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company unless this Receipt has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar, and (iv) registered in the books
maintained by the Registrar for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary.
(13) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at its Principal Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
The Registrar shall keep books for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Registrar's knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Registrar may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Article (24) hereof.
Dated: CITIBANK, N.A. CITIBANK, N.A., Transfer Agent and Registrar as Depositary By: By: ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Authorized Signatory Vice President |
The address of the Principal Office of the Depositary is 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, U.S.A.
[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
(14) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights securities or other entitlements under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will (i) if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), (ii) if applicable, establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9, and (iii) promptly distribute the amount thus received (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes withheld) to the Holders entitled thereto as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADS held as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and become part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of ADSs then outstanding. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall or cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and either (i) the Depositary shall distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interest in the additional integral number of Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net (a) of the applicable fees and charges of, and the
expenses incurred by, the Depositary, as provided in the Deposit Agreement and
(b) taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the
number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, represented by the aggregate of
such fractions and distribute the net proceeds upon the terms set forth in the
Deposit Agreement.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, if the Company in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of such (a) taxes and (b) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, distribute either (x) cash as in the case of a cash distribution or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares as in the case of a distribution of Shares. In either case, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, establish and ADS record date according to paragraph (16) and establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the distribution in cash, the dividend shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in Shares. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective distribution in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes rights to subscribe for additional Shares to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary upon consultation with the Company, shall determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any Holders only if (i) the Company shall have requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation
contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have
determined, in consultation with the Company, that such distribution of rights
is reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary
shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions set forth
above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the
terms described in the Deposit Agreement) and establish procedures (x) to
distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs (by means of warrants or
otherwise), (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of
the subscription price and of the applicable (a) fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and
(b) taxes), and (z) to deliver ADSs upon the valid exercise of such rights.
Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make
available to the Holders a method to exercise rights to subscribe for Shares
(rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make
the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not
be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the
documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines in consultation
with the Company, that it is not reasonably practicable to make the rights
available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and
appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful
and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a riskless principal
capacity, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale)
as it may deem proper. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and
distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes) upon the terms hereof and of the
Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to
Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above,
the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be
responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be practicable to make
such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii)
any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or
exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the ADR Holders on
behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate is required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act (or other applicable law) covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be
required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights.
Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record, as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by them respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes withheld. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall (i) cause the proceeds of such sale, if any, to be converted into Dollars and (ii) distribute the proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement (b) taxes) to the Holders upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(15) Redemption. Upon timely receipt of notice from the Company that it intends to exercise its right of redemption in respect of any of the Deposited Securities, and a satisfactory opinion of counsel, and upon determining that such proposed redemption is practicable, the Depositary shall (to the extent practicable) mail to each Holder a notice setting forth the Company's intention to exercise the redemption rights and any other particulars set forth in the Company's notice to the Depositary. Upon receipt of confirmation that the
redemption has taken place and that funds representing the redemption price have been received, the Depositary shall convert, transfer, distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and (b) taxes), retire ADSs and cancel ADRs upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders thereof upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. If less than all outstanding Deposited Securities are redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as may be determined by the Depositary. The redemption price per ADS shall be the dollar equivalent of per share amount received by the Depositary upon the redemption of the Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares (subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes) multiplied by the number of Units or Deposited Securities represented by each ADS redeemed.
(16) Fixing of ADS Record Date. Whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders of Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date ("ADS Record Date") for the determination of the Holders of Receipts who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or to give or withhold such consent, or to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of Receipts at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
(17) Voting of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of such consent or proxy. The Depositary shall (if requested in writing in a timely manner by the Company, at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist) mail to Holders: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxies, (b) a statement that the Holders as of the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association and the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's ADS and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions from a Holder of ADSs on the ADS Record Date in
the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the provisions of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Shares and/or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs held by such Holder, either on a show of hands, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with instructions received from Holders of a majority of the American Depositary Shares for which instructions have been given to the Depositary, or on a poll, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with the instructions received from the Holders giving instructions.
The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association provide that a poll may be demanded at any general meeting by a holder or holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares entitled to vote on a resolution or (b) Shares with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000. As a result, unless specifically instructed by a Holder or Holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) entitled vote on a resolution or (b) Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000, the Custodian, acting on behalf of the Holders upon the instructions of the Depositary, may not join in demanding a poll. The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association (as in effect on the date hereof), further provide that the Chairman of the Board of the Company shall cast the deciding vote, in the event of a tie.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of, the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADS except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders. If voting instructions are received by the Depositary from any Holder on or before the date established by the Depositary for the receipt of such instructions, which are signed but without further indication as to specific instructions, the Depositary will deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to vote in favor of the items set forth in such instructions. Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADS for which no specific voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder shall not be voted. Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect to any meeting, or solicitation or consents or proxies, of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities if the taking of such action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing to the Shares or other Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions requested to be taken if so requested by the Depositary. There can be no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
(18) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in nominal or par value, split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement of or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. The Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to the form of Receipt contained in this Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities or corporate change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
(19) Exoneration. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be
obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of
the Deposit Agreement or incur any liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner
(i) if the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or
subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or
delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the
Deposit Agreement and this Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or
future law or regulation of the United States, the Republic of India or any
other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or
stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or
restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future of the Articles of
Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company or any provision of or
governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or
other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation,
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes,
civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by
reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for
in this Deposit Agreement or in the Articles of Association and Memorandum of
Association of the Company or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities,
(iii) for any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information
from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any
Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other
person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or
information, (iv) for any inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit
from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available
to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, made available to Holders of ADS or (v) for any consequential or
punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The
Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, any Custodian and the Company,
its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting
upon any written notice, request or other document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No
disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of
the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt.
(20) Standard of Care. The Company and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Company and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Depositary and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote, provided that any such action or omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company.
(21) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor
Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the
Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company,
such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after
delivery thereof to the Company, or (ii) upon the appointment by the Company of
a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the
Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by
written notice of such removal which notice shall be effective on the earlier of
(i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary, or (ii) upon the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as
provided in the Deposit Agreement. In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
(22) Amendment/Supplement. This Receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the prior written consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS(s), to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and this Receipt at any
time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or regulations.
(23) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Holder will, upon surrender of such Holders' Receipt(s) at the Principal Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of ADSs referred to in Article (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, the Deposited Securities and the ADSs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
(24) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933.
(25) Certain Rights of the Depositary; Limitations. Subject to the further terms and provisions of this Article (25), the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf and on behalf of their clients, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees of ownership of Shares. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Deposit Agreement, including ADSs which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been received (each such transaction a "Pre-Release Transaction"). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) accompanied by or subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the "Applicant") to whom ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant).
(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto ______________________________ whose taxpayer identification number is _______________________ and whose address including postal zip code is ________________, the within Receipt and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________________ attorney-in-fact to transfer said Receipt on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
Title:
NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to this
assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the within
instrument in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
If the endorsement be executed by an
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee
or guardian, the person executing the
endorsement must give his/her full title in
such capacity and proper evidence of
authority to act in such capacity, if not on
file with the Depositary, must be forwarded
with this Receipt.
All endorsements or assignments of Receipts
must be guaranteed by a member of a
Medallion Signature Program approved by the
Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
Legends
[The Receipts issued in respect of Partial Entitlement American Depositary Shares shall bear the following legend on the face of the Receipt: "This Receipt evidences American Depositary Shares representing partial entitlement' equity shares, par value Rs.10 per share ("Shares"), of Satyam Infoway Limited and as such do not entitle the holders thereof to the same per-share entitlement as other Shares (which are "full entitlement" Shares) issued and outstanding at such time. The American Depositary Shares represented by this Receipt shall entitle holders to distributions and entitlements identical to other American Depositary Shares when the Shares represented by such American Depositary Shares become "full entitlement" Shares.]
[This certificate represents "Restricted ADSs" issued upon the terms of Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined). This certificate and the Restricted ADSs represented hereby may not be sold or otherwise transferred without an effective registration statement for such securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless an exemption from registration under said act is available for such sale or transfer. B-2
EXHIBIT B
FEE SCHEDULE
DEPOSITARY FEES AND RELATED CHARGES
All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
I. Depositary Fees
The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners and the persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation agree to pay the following fees of the Depositary:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service Rate By Whom Paid ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Issuance of ADSs upon deposit Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person for whom deposits are made of Shares (excluding fraction thereof) issued. or party receiving ADSs. issuances contemplated by paragraph (4) below). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Delivery of Deposited Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person surrendering ADSs or making Securities, property and fraction thereof) surrendered. withdrawal. cash against surrender of ADSs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Distribution of cash up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person to whom distribution is made. dividends or other cash fraction thereof) held. distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Distribution ADSs pursuant to Up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person to whom distribution is made. (i) stock dividends or other fraction thereof) issued. free distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
II. Charges
Holders, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities shall be responsible for the following charges:
(ii) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(iii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iv) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(v) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(vi) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vii) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
Exhibit (a)(iv)
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
by and among
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
AND
CITIBANK, N.A.,
as Depositary,
AND
THE HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS
OF AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES EVIDENCED BY
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPTS ISSUED HEREUNDER
Dated as of October 18, 1999
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARTICLE I. DEFINITIONS............................................................................................ 2 Section 1.1 "ADS Record Date"............................................................ 2 Section 1.2 "Affiliate".................................................................. 2 Section 1.3 "American Depositary Share(s)" and "ADS(s)".................................. 2 Section 1.4 "Applicant".................................................................. 2 Section 1.5 "Beneficial Owner"........................................................... 2 Section 1.6 "Business Day"............................................................... 2 Section 1.7 "Commission"................................................................. 2 Section 1.8 "Company".................................................................... 2 Section 1.9 "Custodian".................................................................. 3 Section 1.10 "Deliver" and "Delivery"..................................................... 3 Section 1.11 "Deposit Agreement".......................................................... 3 Section 1.12 "Depositary"................................................................. 3 Section 1.13 "Deposited Securities"....................................................... 3 Section 1.14 "Dollars".................................................................... 3 Section 1.15 "DTC"........................................................................ 3 Section 1.16 "DTC Participant"............................................................ 3 Section 1.17 "Exchange Act"............................................................... 3 Section 1.18 "Foreign Currency"........................................................... 3 Section 1.19 "Holder"..................................................................... 3 Section 1.20 "National Securities Depository Limited", "NSDL"............................. 4 Section 1.21 "Pre-Release Transaction".................................................... 4 Section 1.22 "Principal Office"........................................................... 4 Section 1.23 "Receipt(s)"; "American Depositary Receipt(s)" and "ADR(s)".................. 4 Section 1.24 "Registrar".................................................................. 4 Section 1.25 "Restricted Securities"...................................................... 4 Section 1.26 "Rupees" and "Rs."........................................................... 5 Section 1.27 "Securities Act"............................................................. 5 Section 1.28 "Share Registrar"............................................................ 5 Section 1.29 "Shares"..................................................................... 5 Section 1.30 "United States".............................................................. 5 ARTICLE II. APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPTS; DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS....................................................... 5 Section 2.1 Appointment of Depositary.................................................... 5 Section 2.2 Form and Transferability of Receipts......................................... 6 Section 2.3 Deposit with Custodian....................................................... 7 |
Section 2.4 Registration and Safekeeping of Deposited Securities......................... 8 Section 2.5 Execution and Delivery of Receipts........................................... 9 Section 2.6 Transfer, Combination and Split-up of Receipts............................... 9 Section 2.7 Surrender of ADSs and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities..................... 10 Section 2.8 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc........................................ 12 Section 2.9 Lost Receipts, etc........................................................... 13 Section 2.10 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts; Maintenance of Records...................................................................... 13 Section 2.11 Partial Entitlement ADSs..................................................... 13 Section 2.12 Restricted ADSs.............................................................. 14 ARTICLE III. CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF ADSs......................................................................................... 15 Section 3.1 Proofs, Certificates and Other Information................................... 15 Section 3.2 Liability for Taxes and Other Charges........................................ 15 Section 3.3 Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares.......................... 16 Section 3.4 Compliance with Information Requests......................................... 16 Section 3.5 Ownership Restrictions....................................................... 16 ARTICLE IV. THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES............................................................................... 17 Section 4.1 Cash Distributions........................................................... 17 Section 4.2 Distribution in Shares....................................................... 17 Section 4.3 Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares..................................... 18 Section 4.4 Distribution of Rights to Purchase Additional ADSs........................... 19 Section 4.5 Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares........... 20 Section 4.6 Distributions with Respect to Deposited Securities in Bearer Form............ 21 Section 4.7 Redemption................................................................... 21 Section 4.8 Conversion of Foreign Currency............................................... 22 Section 4.9 Fixing of ADS Record Date.................................................... 23 Section 4.10 Voting of Deposited Securities............................................... 23 Section 4.11 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities....................................... 25 Section 4.12 Available Information........................................................ 26 Section 4.13 Reports...................................................................... 26 Section 4.14 List of Holders.............................................................. 26 Section 4.15 List of Restricted Securities Owners......................................... 26 Section 4.16 Taxation..................................................................... 26 |
ARTICLE V. THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY.......................................................... 27 Section 5.1 Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar.................... 27 Section 5.2 Exoneration.................................................................. 28 Section 5.3 Standard of Care............................................................. 29 Section 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary................................................................... 29 Section 5.5 The Custodian................................................................ 30 Section 5.6 Notices and Reports.......................................................... 31 Section 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc...................................... 31 Section 5.8 Indemnification.............................................................. 32 Section 5.9 Fees and Charges of Depositary............................................... 33 Section 5.10 Pre-Release.................................................................. 34 Section 5.11 Restricted Securities Owners................................................. 34 ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION.............................................................................. 35 Section 6.1 Amendment/Supplement......................................................... 35 Section 6.2 Termination.................................................................. 35 ARTICLE VII. MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................................... 36 Section 7.1 Counterparts................................................................. 36 Section 7.2 No Third-Party Beneficiaries................................................. 36 Section 7.3 Severability................................................................. 37 Section 7.4 Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect..................... 37 Section 7.5 Notices...................................................................... 37 Section 7.6 Governing Law and Jurisdiction............................................... 38 Section 7.7 Assignment................................................................... 39 Section 7.8 Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws........................................ 39 Section 7.9 Titles....................................................................... 39 |
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
DEPOSIT AGREEMENT, dated as of October 18, 1999, by and among (i) SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India, and its successors (the "Company"), (ii) CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States of America acting in its capacity as depositary, and any successor depositary hereunder (the "Depositary"), and (iii) all Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares evidenced by American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder (all such capitalized terms as hereinafter defined).
W I T N E S S E T H T H A T:
WHEREAS, the Company has duly authorized and has outstanding equity shares, each with a par value of Rs.10 per share (the "Shares"); and
WHEREAS, the Company desires to establish with the Depositary an ADR facility to provide for the deposit of the Shares and the creation of American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited and for the execution and delivery of American Depositary Receipts evidencing such American Depositary Shares; and
WHEREAS, the Depositary is willing to act as the Depositary for such facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto, with appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, as hereinafter provided in this Deposit Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the American Depositary Shares to be issued pursuant to the terms of this Deposit Agreement are to be listed for trading on the Nasdaq National Market; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (or an authorized committee thereof) has duly approved the establishment of an ADR facility upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement, the execution and delivery of this Deposit Agreement on behalf of the Company, and the actions of the Company and the transactions contemplated herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the parties hereto agree as follows:
ARTICLE I.
DEFINITIONS
All capitalized terms used, but not otherwise defined, herein shall have the meanings set forth below, unless otherwise clearly indicated:
Section 1.1 "ADS Record Date" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 4.9.
Section 1.2 "Affiliate" shall have the meaning assigned to such term by the Commission (as hereinafter defined) under Regulation C promulgated under the Securities Act (as hereinafter defined).
Section 1.3 "American Depositary Share(s)" and "ADS(s)" shall mean the
rights and interests in the Deposited Securities granted to the Holders and
Beneficial Owners pursuant to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement
and the American Depositary Receipts issued hereunder to evidence such ADSs. As
of the date hereof, each American Depositary Share represents one Share on
deposit with the Custodian (except as contemplated in Section 5.10 of the
Deposit Agreement). In the event of a distribution upon Deposited Securities
referred to in Section 4.2 or a change in Deposited Securities referred to in
Section 4.11 with respect to which additional American Depositary Shares are not
issued, each American Depositary Share shall represent the Deposited Securities
specified in such Sections. The Company and the Depositary may at any time
hereafter, subject to applicable law and the terms of the Deposit Agreement,
amend the ADS-to-Share ratio, without, however, adversely affecting the rights
of Holders under the Deposit Agreement to receive the Deposited Securities
represented by the Holders' ADSs before the effective date of the amendment of
the ADS-to-Share ratio.
Section 1.4 "Applicant" shall have the meaning given to such term in
Section 5.10.
Section 1.5 "Beneficial Owner" shall mean as to any ADS, any person or entity having a beneficial interest deriving from the ownership of such ADS. A Beneficial Owner of ADSs may or may not be the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing such ADSs. A Beneficial Owner shall be able to exercise any right or receive any benefit hereunder solely through the person who is the Holder of the ADR(s) evidencing the ADSs owned by such Beneficial Owner.
Section 1.6 "Business Day" shall mean any day on which both the banks in the Republic of India and the banks in New York are open for business.
Section 1.7 "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission of the United States or any successor governmental agency in the United States.
Section 1.8 "Company" shall mean Satyam Infoway Limited, a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of India, and its successors.
Section 1.9 "Custodian" shall mean, as of the date hereof, Citibank, N.A.
- Mumbai Branch, having its principal office at 81 Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli,
Mumbai India 400018, as the custodian for the purposes of this Deposit
Agreement, and any other entity that may be appointed by the Depositary pursuant
to the terms of Section 5.5 as successor, substitute or additional custodian
hereunder. The term "Custodian" shall mean any Custodian individually or all
Custodians collectively, as the context requires.
Section 1.10 "Deliver" and "Delivery" shall mean, when used in respect of ADSs, Deposited Securities and Shares, the physical delivery of the certificate(s) representing such securities, or the electronic delivery of such securities by means of book-entry transfer, if available.
Section 1.11 "Deposit Agreement" shall mean this Deposit Agreement and all exhibits hereto, as the same may from time to time be amended and supplemented in accordance with the terms hereof.
Section 1.12 "Depositary" shall mean Citibank, N.A., a national banking association organized under the laws of the United States, in its capacity as depositary under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, and any successor depositary hereunder.
Section 1.13 "Deposited Securities" shall mean Shares at any time deposited under this Deposit Agreement and any and all other securities, property and cash held by the Depositary or the Custodian in respect thereof, subject, in the case of cash, to the provisions of Section 4.8. The collateral delivered in connection with Pre-Release Transactions described in Section 5.10 hereof shall not constitute Deposited Securities.
Section 1.14 "Dollars" and "$" shall refer to the lawful currency of the United States.
Section 1.15 "DTC" shall mean The Depository Trust Company, a national clearinghouse and the central book-entry settlement system for securities traded in the United States and, as such, the custodian for the securities of DTC Participants (as hereinafter defined) maintained in DTC, and any successor thereto.
Section 1.16 "DTC Participant" shall mean any financial institution (or any nominee of such institution) having one or more participant accounts with DTC for receiving, holding and delivering the securities and cash held in DTC.
Section 1.17 "Exchange Act" shall mean the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as from time to time amended.
Section 1.18 "Foreign Currency" shall mean any currency other than Dollars.
Section 1.19 "Holder" shall mean the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary (or the Registrar, if any) maintained for such purpose. A Holder may or may not be a Beneficial Owner. If a Holder is not the Beneficial Owner of the ADSs evidenced by the Receipt registered in its name, such person shall be deemed to have all requisite authority to act on behalf of the Beneficial Owners of the ADSs evidenced by such Receipt.
Section 1.20 "National Securities Depository Limited", "NSDL" shall mean the National Securities Depository Limited, which provides the book-entry settlement system for equity securities in the Republic of India, or any successor entity thereto.
Section 1.21 "Pre-Release Transaction" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.10.
Section 1.22 "Principal Office" when used with respect to the Depositary, shall mean the principal office of the Depositary at which at any particular time its depositary receipts business shall be administered, which, at the date of this Deposit Agreement, is located at 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, U.S.A.
Section 1.23 "Receipt(s)"; "American Depositary Receipt(s)" and "ADR(s)" shall mean the certificate(s) issued by the Depositary to evidence the American Depositary Shares issued under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, as such Receipts may be amended from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement. A Receipt may evidence any number of American Depositary Shares and may, in the case of American Depositary Shares held through a central depository such as DTC, be in the form of a "Balance Certificate."
Section 1.24 "Registrar" shall mean the Depositary or any bank or trust company having an office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, which shall be appointed by the Depositary, subject to the consent of the Company, to register issuances and transfers of Receipts as herein provided, and shall include any co-registrar appointed by the Depositary with the consent of the Company for such purposes. Registrars (other than the Depositary) may be removed and substitutes appointed by the Depositary with the consent of the Company. Each Registrar (other than the Depositary) appointed pursuant to this Deposit Agreement shall be required to give notice in writing to the Depositary and to the Company accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of this Deposit Agreement.
Section 1.25 "Restricted Securities" shall mean Shares, Deposited Securities or ADSs, which (i) have been acquired directly or indirectly from the Company or any of its Affiliates in a transaction or chain of transactions not involving any public offering and are subject to resale limitations under the Securities Act or the rules issued thereunder, or (ii) are held by an officer or director (or persons performing similar functions) or other Affiliate of the Company, or (iii) are subject to other restrictions on sale or deposit under the laws of the United States, the Republic of India, or under a shareholder agreement or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company or under the regulations of any applicable securities exchange unless, in each case, such Shares, Deposited Securities or ADSs are being sold to persons other than an Affiliate of the Company in a transaction (i) covered by an effective resale registration statement, or (ii) exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act (as hereinafter defined), and the Shares, Deposited Securities or ADSs are not, when held by such person(s), Restricted Securities.
Section 1.26 "Rupees" and "Rs." shall refer to the lawful currency of the Republic of India.
Section 1.27 "Securities Act" shall mean the United States Securities Act of 1933, as from time to time amended.
Section 1.28 "Share Registrar" shall mean, as of the date hereof, the Company and may after the date hereof be depository institution organized under the laws of the Republic of India appointed by the Company to carry out the duties of registrar for the Shares or any successor as Share Registrar for such Shares appointed by the Company.
Section 1.29 "Shares" shall mean the Company's equity shares, par value Rs.10 per share, validly issued and outstanding and fully paid and may, if the Depositary so agrees after consultation with the Company, include evidence of the right to receive Shares; provided that in no event shall Shares include evidence of the right to receive Shares with respect to which the full purchase price has not been paid or Shares as to which preemptive rights have theretofore not been validly waived or exercised; provided further, however, that, if there shall occur any change in par value, split-up, consolidation, reclassification, conversion or any other event described in Section 4.11 in respect of the Shares of the Company, the term "Shares" shall thereafter, to the maximum extent permitted by law, represent the successor securities resulting from such change in par value, split-up, consolidation, exchange, conversion, reclassification or event.
Section 1.30 "United States" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Regulation S as promulgated by the Commission under the Securities Act.
ARTICLE II.
APPOINTMENT OF DEPOSITARY; FORM OF RECEIPTS;
DEPOSIT OF SHARES; EXECUTION
AND DELIVERY, TRANSFER AND SURRENDER OF RECEIPTS
Section 2.1 Appointment of Depositary. The Company hereby appoints the Depositary as depositary for the Deposited Securities and hereby authorizes and directs the Depositary to act in accordance with the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Each Holder and each Beneficial Owner, upon acceptance of any ADSs (or any interest therein) issued in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement, shall be deemed for all purposes to (a) be a party to and bound by the terms of this Deposit Agreement and (b) appoint the Depositary its attorney-in-fact, with full power to delegate, to act on its behalf and to take any and all actions contemplated in this Deposit Agreement, to adopt any and all procedures necessary to comply with applicable law and to take such action as the Depositary in its sole discretion may deem necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of this Deposit Agreement (the taking of such actions to be the conclusive determinant of the necessity and appropriateness thereof).
Section 2.2 Form and Transferability of Receipts.
(a) Form. ADSs shall be evidenced by definitive Receipts which shall be engraved, printed, lithographed or produced in such other manner as may be agreed upon by the Company and the Depositary. Receipts may be issued under the Deposit Agreement in denominations of any whole number of ADSs. The Receipts shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement, with any appropriate insertions, modifications and omissions, in each case as otherwise contemplated in the Deposit Agreement or required by law. Receipts shall be (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar, and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Registrar for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts. No Receipt and no ADS evidenced thereby shall be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company, unless such Receipt shall have been so dated, signed, countersigned and registered. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary. The Receipts shall bear a CUSIP number that is different from any CUSIP number that was, is or may be assigned to any depositary receipts previously or subsequently issued pursuant to any other arrangement between the Depositary (or any other depositary) and the Company and which are not Receipts issued hereunder.
(b) Legends. The Receipts may be endorsed with or have incorporated in the
text thereof such legends or recitals not inconsistent with the provisions of
the Deposit Agreement (i) as may be necessary to enable the Depositary or the
Company to perform their respective obligations hereunder, (ii) as may be
required to comply with any applicable laws or regulations, or with the rules
and regulations of any securities exchange or market upon which ADSs may be
traded, listed or quoted, or to conform with any usage with respect thereto,
(iii) as may be necessary to indicate any special limitations or restrictions to
which any particular Receipts or ADSs are subject by reason of the date or
manner of issuance of the Deposited Securities or otherwise (including, without
limitation, as contemplated in Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement), or (iv)
as may be required by any book-entry system in which the ADSs are held.
(c) Title. Subject to the limitations contained herein and in the Receipt, title to a Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced thereby) shall be transferable upon the same terms as a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York, provided that such Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary and the Company may deem and treat the Holder of a Receipt (that is, the person in whose name a Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes. Neither the Company nor the Depositary shall have any obligation nor be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or any Receipt to any holder of a Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the registered Holder of such Receipt or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner's representative is the registered Holder thereof.
(d) Book-Entry Systems. The Depositary shall make arrangements for the acceptance of the American Depositary Shares into DTC. A single ADR in the form of a "Balance Certificate" will evidence all ADSs held through DTC and will be registered in the name of the nominee for DTC (currently "Cede & Co.") and will provide that it represents the aggregate amount of ADSs from time to time indicated in the records of the Depositary as being issued hereunder and that the aggregate amount of ADSs represented thereby may from time to time be increased or decreased by making adjustments on such records of the Depositary and of DTC or its nominee as hereinafter provided. As such, the nominee for DTC will be the only "Holder" of the ADR evidencing all ADSs held through DTC. Citibank, N.A. (or such other entity as is appointed by DTC or its nominee) may hold the "Balance Certificate" as custodian for DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of ADSs held through DTC must rely upon the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise or be entitled to any rights attributable to such ADSs. The DTC Participants shall for all purposes be deemed to have all requisite power and authority to act on behalf of the Beneficial Owners of the ADSs held in the DTC Participants' respective accounts in DTC and the Depositary shall for all purposes be authorized to rely upon any instructions and information given to it by DTC Participants on behalf of Beneficial Owners of ADSs. So long as ADSs are held through DTC or unless otherwise required by law, ownership of beneficial interests in the ADR registered in the name of the nominee for DTC will be shown on, and transfers of such ownership will be effected only through, records maintained by (i) DTC or its nominee (with respect to the interests of DTC Participants), or (ii) DTC Participants or their nominees (with respect to the interests of clients of DTC Participants).
Section 2.3 Deposit with Custodian. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, Shares or evidence of rights to
receive Shares may be deposited by any person (including the Depositary in its
individual capacity but subject, however, in the case of the Company or any
Affiliate of the Company, to Section 5.7 hereof) at any time, whether or not the
transfer books of the Company or the Share Registrar, if any, are closed, by
Delivery of the Shares to the Custodian; provided that, Restricted Shares may be
deposited only upon the terms contemplated in Section 2.12 of the Deposit
Agreement. Every deposit of Shares shall be accompanied by the following: (A)
(i) in the case of Shares represented by certificates issued in registered form,
appropriate instruments of transfer or endorsement, in a form satisfactory to
the Custodian, (ii) in the case of Shares represented by certificates in bearer
form, of the requisite coupons and talons pertaining thereto, and (iii) in the
case of shares delivered by book-entry transfer, confirmation of such book-entry
transfer to the Custodian, (B) such certifications and payments (including,
without limitation, the Depositary's fees and related charges) and evidence of
such payments (including, without limitation, stamping or otherwise marking such
Shares by way of receipt) as may be required by the Depositary or the Custodian
in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law,
(C) if the Depositary so requires, a written order directing the Depositary to
execute and deliver to, or upon the written order of, the person(s) stated in
such order a Receipt or Receipts for the number of American Depositary Shares
representing the Shares so deposited, (D) evidence satisfactory to the
Depositary (which may be an opinion of counsel) that all necessary approvals have been granted by, or there has been compliance with the rules and regulations of, any applicable governmental agency in the Republic of India, and (E) if the Depositary so requires, (i) an agreement, assignment or instrument satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian which provides for the prompt transfer by any person in whose name the Shares are or have been recorded to the Custodian of any distribution, or right to subscribe for additional Shares or to receive other property in respect of any such deposited Shares or, in lieu thereof, such indemnity or other agreement as shall be satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian and (ii) if the Shares are registered in the name of the person on whose behalf they are presented for deposit, a proxy or proxies entitling the Custodian to exercise voting rights in respect of the Shares for any and all purposes until the Shares so deposited are registered in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or any nominee.
Without limiting any other provision of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall instruct the Custodian not to, and the Depositary shall not knowingly, accept for deposit (a) any Restricted Securities, except as contemplated by Section 2.12, provided that the Company has restricted transfer of such Shares to comply with any ownership restrictions referred to in Section 3.5 nor (b) any fractional Shares or fractional Deposited Securities nor (c) a number of Shares or Deposited Securities which upon application of the ADS to Shares ratio would give rise to fractional ADSs. No Share shall be accepted for deposit unless accompanied by evidence, if any is required by the Depositary, that is reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary or the Custodian that all conditions to such deposit have been satisfied by the person depositing such Shares under the laws and regulations of the Republic of India and any necessary approval has been granted by any governmental body in the Republic of India, if any, which is then performing the function of the regulator of currency exchange. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees of ownership of Shares furnished by the Company or any such custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares.
Section 2.4 Registration and Safekeeping of Deposited Securities. The Depositary shall instruct the Custodian upon each Delivery of certificates representing registered Shares being deposited hereunder with the Custodian (or other Deposited Securities pursuant to Article IV hereof), together with the other documents above specified, to present such certificate(s), together with the appropriate instrument(s) of transfer or endorsement, duly stamped, to the Share Registrar for transfer and registration of the Shares (as soon as transfer and registration can be accomplished and at the expense of the person for whom the deposit is made) in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either. Deposited Securities shall be held by the Depositary or by a Custodian for the account and to the order of the Depositary or a nominee in each case on behalf of the Holders and Beneficial Owners, at such place or places as the Depositary or the Custodian shall determine.
Without limitation of the foregoing, the Depositary shall not knowingly accept for deposit under this Deposit Agreement any Shares or other Deposited Securities required to be registered under the provisions of the Securities Act, unless a registration statement is in effect as to such Shares or other Deposited Securities, or any Shares or other Deposited Securities the deposit of which would violate any provisions of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company or applicable law.
Shares may not be deposited by persons located in India or residents of India or by persons acting on behalf of such persons located in India or residents of India.
Section 2.5 Execution and Delivery of Receipts. The Depositary has made arrangements with the Custodian to confirm to the Depositary (i) that a deposit of Shares has been made pursuant to Section 2.3 hereof, (ii) that such Deposited Securities have been recorded in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or a nominee of either on the shareholders' register maintained by or on behalf of the Company or by the Share Registrar, if any, if registered Shares have been deposited or if deposit is made by book-entry transfer, confirmation of such transfer in the books of the NSDL, (iii) that all required documents and approvals have been received, and (iv) the person(s) to whom or upon whose order American Depositary Shares are deliverable in respect thereof and the number of American Depositary Shares to be so delivered thereby. Such notification may be made by letter, cable, telex, SWIFT message or, at the risk and expense of the person making the deposit, by facsimile or other means of electronic transmission. Upon receiving such notice from the Custodian, the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and applicable law, shall issue the American Depositary Shares representing the Shares so deposited to or upon the order of the person(s) named in the notice delivered to the Depositary and shall execute and deliver at its Principal Office Receipt(s) registered in the name(s) requested by such person(s) and evidencing the aggregate number of American Depositary Shares to which such person(s) are entitled, but only upon payment to the Depositary of the charges of the Depositary for accepting a deposit, issuing American Depositary Shares and executing and delivering such Receipt(s) (as set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereto) and all taxes and governmental charges and fees payable in connection with such deposit and the transfer of the Shares and the issuance of the Receipt(s). The Depositary shall only issue American Depositary Shares in whole numbers and deliver American Depositary Receipts evidencing whole numbers of American Depositary Shares. Nothing herein shall prohibit any Pre-Release Transaction upon the terms set forth in this Deposit Agreement.
Section 2.6 Transfer, Combination and Split-up of Receipts.
(a) Transfer. The Registrar shall promptly register the transfer of Receipts (and of the ADSs represented thereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall cancel such Receipts and execute new Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by the Receipts canceled by the Depositary, shall cause the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new Receipts to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) the Receipts have been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a transfer thereof, (ii) the surrendered Receipts have been
properly endorsed or are accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) the surrendered Receipts have been duly stamped (if required by the laws of the State of New York or of the United States), and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereto) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the applicable Receipts, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law , in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
(b) Combination & Split Up. The Registrar shall promptly register the split-up or combination of Receipts (and of the ADSs represented thereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall cancel such Receipts and execute new Receipts for the number of ADSs requested, but in the aggregate not exceeding the number of ADSs evidenced by the Receipts canceled by the Depositary, shall cause the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new Receipts to or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) the Receipts have been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination thereof, and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereto) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the applicable Receipts, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
(c) Co-Transfer Agents. The Depositary may, with the consent of the Company, appoint one or more co-transfer agents for the purpose of effecting transfers, combinations and split-ups of Receipts at designated transfer offices on behalf of the Depositary. In carrying out its functions, a co-transfer agent may require evidence of authority and compliance with applicable laws and other requirements by Holders or persons entitled to such Receipts and will be entitled to protection and indemnity to the same extent as the Depositary. Such co-transfer agents may be removed and substitutes may be appointed by the Depositary, with the consent of the Company. Each co-transfer agent appointed under this Section 2.6 (other than the Depositary) shall give notice in writing to the Depositary and to the Company accepting such appointment and agreeing to be bound by the applicable terms of the Deposit Agreement.
Section 2.7 Surrender of ADSs and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities. Subject to applicable law, the Holder of ADSs shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's designated office) to him or upon his order of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADS(s) upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (i) the Holder (or a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) has duly Delivered ADSs to the Depositary at its Principal Office (and if applicable, the Receipts evidencing such ADSs) for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, (ii) if so required by the Depositary, the Receipts Delivered to the Depositary for such purpose have been properly endorsed in blank or are accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) if so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the
ADSs has executed and delivered to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in such order, and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereof) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the Receipts evidencing the surrendered ADSs, of the Deposit Agreement, of the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association and of any applicable laws and the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to any provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Upon satisfaction of each of the conditions specified above, the Depositary shall (i) cancel the ADSs Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the Receipts evidencing the ADSs so Delivered), (ii) direct the Registrar to record the cancellation of the ADSs so Delivered on the books maintained for such purpose, and (iii) direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's designated office the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs so canceled together with any certificate or other document of title for the Deposited Securities, or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available), as the case may be, to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in the order delivered to the Depositary for such purpose, subject however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, the Receipts evidencing the ADSs so canceled, the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, applicable laws and of the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to the terms and conditions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
The Depositary shall not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than one Share. In the case of the Delivery of ADSs representing a number other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) return to the person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share represented by the ADS(s) so surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the person surrendering the ADSs.
Notwithstanding anything else contained in any Receipt or the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may make delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash dividends or cash distributions, or (ii) any proceeds from the sale of any distributions of shares or rights, which are at the time held by the Depositary in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs surrendered for cancellation and withdrawal. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering ADSs, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held by the Custodian in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs to the Depositary for delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
Section 2.8 Limitations on Execution and Delivery, Transfer, etc. of Receipts; Suspension of Delivery, Transfer, etc.
(a) Additional Requirements. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of ADSs or of a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereof, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matter contemplated by Section 3.1 hereof, and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of Receipts or American Depositary Shares or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations as the Depositary and the Company may establish consistent with the provisions of the applicable Receipt, this Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
(b) Additional Limitations. The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the deposit of particular Shares may be refused, or the registration of transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfers of Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary, a Registrar or the Share Registrar, if any, are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange on which the ADSs or Shares are listed, or under any provision of this Deposit Agreement or the applicable Receipt(s) or, under any provision of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject, in all cases, to Section 7.8 hereof.
(c) Regulatory Restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Deposit
Agreement or any Receipt to the contrary, Holders are entitled to surrender
outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities at any time subject only
to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary
or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a
shareholders' meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees,
taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or
governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the
Deposited Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by
Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General
Instructions may be amended from time to time).
Section 2.9 Lost Receipts, etc. In case any Receipt shall be mutilated, destroyed, lost, or stolen, the Depositary shall execute and deliver a new Receipt of like tenor at the expense of the Holder (a) in the case of a mutilated Receipt, in exchange of and substitution for such mutilated Receipt upon cancellation thereof, or (b) in lieu of and in substitution for such destroyed, lost, or stolen Receipt, after the Holder thereof (i) has submitted to the Depositary a written request for such exchange and substitution before the Depositary has notice that the Receipt has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, (ii) has provided such security or indemnity (including an indemnity bond) as may be required by the Depositary to save it and any of its agents harmless, and (iii) has satisfied any other reasonable requirements imposed by the Depositary, including, without limitation, evidence satisfactory to the Depositary of such destruction, loss or theft of such Receipt, the authenticity thereof and the Holder's ownership thereof.
Section 2.10 Cancellation and Destruction of Surrendered Receipts; Maintenance of Records. All Receipts surrendered to the Depositary shall be canceled by the Depositary. Canceled Receipts shall not be entitled to any benefits under this Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable against the Depositary for any purpose. The Depositary is authorized to destroy Receipts so canceled, provided the Depositary maintains a record of all destroyed Receipts. Any ADSs held in book-entry form (i.e., through accounts at DTC) shall be deemed canceled when the Depositary causes the number of ADSs evidenced by the Balance Certificate to be reduced by the number of ADSs surrendered (without the need to physically destroy the Balance Certificate).
Section 2.11 Partial Entitlement ADSs. In the event any Shares are
deposited which entitle the holders thereof to receive a per-share distribution
or other entitlement in an amount different from the Shares then on deposit (the
Shares then on deposit collectively, "Full Entitlement Shares" and the Shares
with different entitlement, "Partial Entitlement Shares"), the Depositary shall
(i) cause the Custodian to hold Partial Entitlement Shares separate and distinct
from Full Entitlement Shares, and (ii) subject to the terms of this Agreement,
issue ADSs and deliver ADRs representing Partial Entitlement Shares which are
separate and distinct from the ADSs and ADRs representing Full Entitlement
Shares, by means of separate CUSIP numbering and legending (if necessary)
("Partial Entitlement ADSs/ADRs" and "Full Entitlement ADSs/ADRs",
respectively). If and when Partial Entitlement Shares become Full Entitlement
Shares, the Depositary shall (a) give notice thereof to Holders of Partial
Entitlement ADSs and give Holders of Partial Entitlement ADRs the opportunity to
exchange such Partial Entitlement ADRs for Full Entitlement ADRs, (b) cause the
Custodian to transfer the Partial Entitlement Shares into the account of the
Full Entitlement Shares, and (c) take such actions as are necessary to remove
the distinctions between (i) the Partial Entitlement ADRs and ADSs, on the one
hand, and (ii) the Full Entitlement ADRs and ADSs on the other. Holders and
Beneficial Owners of Partial Entitlement ADSs shall only be entitled to the
entitlements of Partial Entitlement Shares. Holders and Beneficial Owners of
Full Entitlement ADSs shall be entitled only to the entitlements of Full
Entitlement Shares. All provisions and conditions of this Deposit Agreement
shall apply to Partial Entitlement ADRs and ADSs to the same extent as Full
Entitlement ADRs and ADSs, except as contemplated by this Section 2.11. The
Depositary is authorized to take any and all other actions as may be necessary (including, without limitation, making the necessary notations on Receipts) to give effect to the terms of this Section 2.11. The Company agrees to give timely written notice to the Depositary if any Shares issued or to be issued are Partial Entitlement Shares and shall assist the Depositary with the establishment of procedures enabling the identification of Partial Entitlement Shares upon Delivery to the Custodian.
Section 2.12 Restricted ADSs. The Depositary shall, at the request and expense of the Company, establish procedures enabling the deposit hereunder of Shares that are Restricted Securities in order to enable the holder of such Shares to hold its ownership interests in such Restricted Shares in the form of ADSs issued under the terms hereof (such Shares, "Restricted Shares"). Upon receipt of a written request from the Company to accept Restricted Shares for deposit hereunder, the Depositary agrees to establish procedures permitting the deposit of such Restricted Shares and the issuance of ADSs representing such deposited Restricted Shares (such ADSs, the "Restricted ADSs," and the ADRs evidencing such Restricted ADSs, the "Restricted ADRs"). The Company shall assist the Depositary in the establishment of such procedures and agrees that it shall take all steps necessary and satisfactory to the Depositary to insure that the establishment of such procedures does not violate the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. The depositors of such Restricted Shares and the holders of the Restricted ADSs may be required prior to the deposit of such Restricted Shares, the transfer of the Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby or the withdrawal of the Restricted Shares represented by Restricted ADSs to provide such written certifications or agreements as the Depositary or the Company may require. The Company shall provide to the Depositary in writing the legend(s) to be affixed to the Restricted ADRs, which legends shall (i) be in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary and (ii) contain the specific circumstances under which the Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs represented thereby may be transferred or the Restricted Shares withdrawn. The Restricted ADSs issued upon the deposit of Restricted Shares shall be separately identified on the books of the Depositary and the Restricted Shares so deposited shall be held separate and distinct from the other Deposited Securities held hereunder. The Restricted Shares and the Restricted ADSs shall not be eligible for Pre-Release Transactions described in Section 5.10. The Restricted ADSs shall not be eligible for inclusion in any book-entry settlement system, including, without limitation, DTC and shall not in any way be fungible with the ADSs issued under the terms hereof that are not Restricted ADSs. The Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby shall be transferable only by the Holder thereof upon delivery to the Depositary of (i) all documentation otherwise contemplated by this Deposit Agreement and (ii) an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary setting forth, inter alia, the conditions upon which the Restricted ADR presented is, and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby are, transferable by the Holder thereof under applicable securities laws and the transfer restrictions contained in the legend set forth on the Restricted ADR presented for transfer. Except as set forth in this Section 2.12 and except as required by applicable law, the Restricted ADRs and the Restricted ADSs evidenced thereby shall be treated as ADRs and ADSs issued and outstanding under the terms of the Deposit Agreement.
ARTICLE III.
CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS OF HOLDERS
AND BENEFICIAL OWNERS OF ADSs
Section 3.1 Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person
presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be
required by the Company or the Depository, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner
agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary, the Company and the
Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of
all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval
and approval for deposit, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited
Securities, compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the terms of
this Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited
Securities, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and
warranties, and to provide such other information and documentation (or, in the
case of Shares in registered form presented for deposit, such information
relating to the registration on the books of the Company or of the appointed
agent of the Company for the registration and transfer of Shares) as the
Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may
reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its
obligations hereunder. The Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may
withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or
the distribution or sale of any dividend or distribution of rights or of the
proceeds thereof or, to the extent not limited by the terms of Section 7.8
hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other
information is filed or such certifications are executed, or such
representations are made, or such other documentation or information provided,
in each case to the Depositary's, the Registrar's and the Company's
satisfaction. The Depositary shall provide the Company, in a timely manner, with
copies or originals (if necessary and appropriate) of (i) any such proofs of
citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, or exchange control approval or
approval for deposit which it receives from Holders and Beneficial Owners, and
(ii) any other information or documents which the Depositary shall request and
receive from any Holder or Beneficial Owner or any person presenting Shares for
deposit or ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal. Nothing herein shall obligate
the Depositary to (i) obtain any information about Holders or Beneficial Owners
for the Company if not provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners or otherwise
readily available from the Depository's records maintained hereunder, or (ii)
verify or vouch for the accuracy of the information about Holders or Beneficial
Owner so provided by the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Section 3.2 Liability for Taxes and Other Charges. If any tax or other governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any ADR or any Deposited Securities or American Depositary Shares, such tax or other governmental charge shall be payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the Custodian and/or the Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of a Holder and/or Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or charges, the Holder and the Beneficial Owner remaining liable for any deficiency. The
Custodian may refuse the deposit of Shares and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver ADRs, register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Section 7.8) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities until payment in full of such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner may be required from time to time to indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian, and any of their agents, officers, employees and Affiliates for, and to hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner.
Section 3.3 Representations and Warranties on Deposit of Shares. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and that any preemptive rights have been validly waived or exercised, and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Except as contemplated by Section 2.12 of this Deposit Agreement, each such person shall also be deemed to represent that Shares deposited by that person are not Restricted Securities, and that the deposit of Shares or sale of Receipts by that person is not restricted, under the Securities Act. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts or adjustments in the Depositary's records in respect thereof.
Section 3.4 Compliance with Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Deposit Agreement, each Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees to comply with the rules and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Reserve Bank of India, and any stock exchange on which the Shares are, or will be, registered, traded or listed or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, which require notification to the Company of interests in Deposited Securities, inter alia, as to certain acquisitions or depositions of shares (or share equivalents), the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns American Depositary Shares (and Shares as the case may be) and regarding the identity of any other person(s) interested in such American Depositary Shares and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owners at the time of such request. The Depositary agrees to forward to the Company any such information so received by the Depositary from the Holders or Beneficial Owners.
Section 3.5 Ownership Restrictions. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Deposit Agreement or any Receipt, the Company may restrict transfers of the Shares where such transfer might result in ownership of Shares exceeding limits imposed by applicable law and regulations, or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company. The Company may also restrict, in such manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of the American Depositary Shares where such transfer may result in the total number of Shares represented by the American Depositary Shares beneficially owned by a single Holder or Beneficial Owner to exceed any such limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits set forth in the preceding sentence, including, but not limited to, the
imposition of restrictions on the transfer of American Depositary Shares, the removal or limitation of voting rights or mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the American Depositary Shares held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company.
ARTICLE IV.
THE DEPOSITED SECURITIES
Section 4.1 Cash Distributions. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of the receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights, securities or other entitlements under the terms hereof, the Depositary will (i) if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (pursuant to Section 4.8 hereof) be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such cash dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (on the terms described in Section 4.8), (ii) if applicable, establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9, and (iii) promptly distribute promptly the amount thus received (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in Exhibit B hereto and (b) taxes withheld) to the Holders entitled thereto as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and become part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of ADSs outstanding at the time of the next distribution. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority. Evidence of any payment thereof by the Company shall be forwarded by the Company to the Depositary upon request.
Section 4.2 Distribution in Shares. If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9 and either (i) the Depositary shall, subject to Section 5.9 hereof, distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of American Depositary Shares held as of the ADS Record Date, additional American Depositary Shares, which represent in the aggregate the
number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the other terms of this Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as in Exhibit B hereto and (b) taxes), or (ii) if additional American Depositary Shares are not so distributed, each American Depositary Share issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interests in the additional integral number of Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities represented thereby (net of (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as in Exhibit B hereto and (b) taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional American Depositary Shares, the Depositary shall sell the number of Shares or American Depositary Shares, as the case may be, represented by the aggregate of such fractions and distribute the net proceeds upon the terms described in Section 4.1. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, if the Company in the fulfillment of its obligation under Section 5.7 hereof, has furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable, and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of such (a) taxes and (b) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms described in Section 4.1. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
Section 4.3 Elective Distributions in Cash or Shares. Whenever the Company
intends to distribute a dividend payable at the election of the holders of
Shares in cash or in additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to
the Depositary at least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating
whether or not it wishes such elective distribution to be made available to
Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of notice indicating that the Company wishes such
elective distribution to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary
shall consult with the Company to determine, and the Company shall assist the
Depositary in its determination, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable
to make such elective distribution available to the Holders of ADSs. The
Depositary shall make such elective distribution available to Holders only if
(i) the Depositary shall have determined, in consultation with the Company, that
such distribution is reasonably practicable and (ii) the Depositary shall have
received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7. If the
above conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary shall, to the extent
permitted by law, distribute to the Holders, on the basis of the same
determination as is made in the Republic of India in respect of the Shares for
which no election is made, either (X) cash upon the terms described in Section
4.1 or (Y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares upon the terms
described in Section 4.2. If the above conditions are satisfied, the Depositary
shall establish an ADS Record Date (on the terms described in Section 4.9) and
establish procedures to enable Holders to elect the receipt of the proposed
dividend in cash or in additional ADSs. The Company shall assist the Depositary
in establishing such procedures to the extent necessary. If a Holder elects to
receive the proposed dividend (X) in cash, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.1, or (Y) in ADSs, the dividend shall be distributed upon the terms described in Section 4.2. Nothing herein shall obligate the Depositary to make available to Holders a method to receive the elective dividend in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
Section 4.4 Distribution of Rights to Purchase Additional ADSs.
(a) Distribution to ADS Holders. Whenever the Company intends to
distribute to the holders of the Deposited Securities rights to subscribe for
additional Shares, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary at
least 60 days prior to the proposed distribution stating whether or not it
wishes such rights to be made available to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of a
notice indicating that the Company wishes such rights to be made available to
Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company to determine, and
the Company shall assist the Depositary in its determination, whether it is
lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders.
The Depositary shall make such rights available to Holders only if (i) the
Company shall have requested that such rights be made available to Holders, (ii)
the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms
of Section 5.7, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined, in consultation
with the Company, that such distribution of rights is reasonably practicable. In
the event any of the conditions set forth above are not satisfied or if the
Company requests that the rights not be made available to Holders of ADSs, the
Depositary shall proceed with the sale of the rights as contemplated in Section
4.4(b) below. In the event all conditions set forth above are satisfied, the
Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the terms described in
Section 4.9) and establish procedures to (x) distribute rights to purchase
additional ADSs (by means of warrants or otherwise), (y) to enable the Holders
to exercise such rights (upon payment of the subscription price and of the
applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as
provided in Exhibit B hereto and (b) taxes), and (z) to deliver ADSs upon the
valid exercise of such rights. The Company shall assist the Depositary to the
extent necessary in establishing such procedures. Nothing herein shall obligate
the Depositary to make available to the Holders a method to exercise rights to
subscribe for Shares (rather than ADSs).
(b) Sale of Rights. If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to
make the rights available to Holders or requests that the rights not be made
available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive satisfactory
documentation within the terms of Section 5.7 or determines, in consultation
with the Company, that it is not reasonably practicable to make the rights
available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and
appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful
and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a riskless principal
capacity, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale)
as it may deem practical. The Company shall assist the Depositary to the extent
necessary to determine such legality and practicability. The Depositary shall,
upon such sale, convert and distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable
(a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes)
upon the terms set forth in Section 4.1.
(c) Lapse of Rights. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to Holders upon the terms described in Section 4.4(a) or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described in Section 4.4(b), the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse.
The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be practicable to make such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the Holders on behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 4.4, if
registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the
rights or the securities to which any rights relate is required in order for the
Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the
securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such
rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the
Securities Act (or other applicable law) covering such offering is in effect or
(ii) unless the Company furnishes the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the
Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable
country in which rights would be distributed in each case reasonably
satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such
securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require
registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable
laws.
In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property (including rights) an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders of American Depositary Shares representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to receive or exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or be able to exercise such rights. Nothing herein shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights.
Section 4.5 Distributions Other Than Cash, Shares or Rights to Purchase Shares.
(a) Whenever the Company intends to distribute to the holders of Deposited Securities property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, the Company shall give timely notice thereof to the Depositary and shall indicate whether or not it wishes such distribution to be made to Holders of ADSs. Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes such
distribution be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall consult with the Company, and the Company shall assist the Depositary, to determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received satisfactory documentation within the terms of Section 5.7, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable.
(b) Upon receipt of satisfactory documentation and the request of the Company to distribute property to Holders of ADSs and after making the requisite determinations set forth in (a) above, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record, as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by them respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in Exhibit B hereto, and (ii) net of any taxes withheld. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
(c) If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make such
distribution to Holders or requests not to make such distribution to Holders,
(ii) the Depositary does not receive satisfactory documentation within the terms
of Section 5.7, or (iii) the Depositary determines that all or a portion of such
distribution is not reasonably practicable, the Depositary shall sell or cause
such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places
and upon such terms as it may deem practicable and shall (i) cause the proceeds
of such sale, if any, to be converted into Dollars and (ii) distribute the
proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary (net of applicable (a)
fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as contemplated in
Exhibit B hereto and (b) taxes) to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date upon
the terms of Section 4.1. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the
Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably
practicable under the circumstances.
Section 4.6 Distributions with Respect to Deposited Securities in Bearer Form. Subject to the terms of this Article IV, distributions in respect of Deposited Securities that are held by the Depositary in bearer form shall be made to the Depositary for the account of the respective Holders of Receipts with respect to which any such distribution is made upon due presentation by the Depositary or the Custodian to the Company of any relevant coupons, talons, or certificates. The Company shall promptly notify the Depositary of such distributions. The Depositary or the Custodian shall promptly present such coupons, talons or certificates, as the case may be, in connection with any such distribution.
Section 4.7 Redemption. If the Company intends to exercise any right of redemption in respect of any of the Deposited Securities, the Company shall give notice thereof to the Depositary as soon as practicable prior to the intended date of redemption which notice shall set forth the particulars of the proposed redemption. Upon receipt of (i) such notice and (ii) satisfactory documentation given by the Company to the Depositary within the terms of Section 5.7, and only if the Depositary shall have determined that such proposed redemption is practicable, the Depositary shall mail to each Holder a notice setting forth the
intended exercise by the Company of the redemption rights and any other particulars set forth in the Company's notice to the Depositary. The Depositary shall instruct the Custodian to present to the Company the Deposited Securities in respect of which redemption rights are being exercised against payment of the applicable redemption price. Upon receipt of confirmation from the Custodian that the redemption has taken place and that funds representing the redemption price have been received, the Depositary shall convert, transfer, and distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and the expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in Exhibit B hereto, and (b) taxes), retire ADSs and cancel ADRs upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders thereof and the terms set forth in Sections 4.1 and 6.2 hereof. If less than all outstanding Deposited Securities are redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as may be determined by the Depositary. The redemption price per ADS shall be the per share amount received by the Depositary upon the redemption of the Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares (subject to the terms of Section 4.8 hereof and the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes) multiplied by the number of Deposited Securities represented by each ADS redeemed.
Section 4.8 Conversion of Foreign Currency. Whenever the Depositary or the Custodian shall receive Foreign Currency, by way of dividends or other distributions or the net proceeds from the sale of securities, property or rights, which in the judgment of the Depositary can at such time be converted on a practicable basis, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine in accordance with applicable law, into Dollars transferable to the United States and distributable to the Holders entitled thereto, the Depositary shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, convert or cause to be converted, by sale or in any other manner that it may determine, such Foreign Currency into Dollars, and shall promptly distribute such Dollars (net of any applicable fees contemplated in Exhibit B hereto, any reasonable and customary expenses incurred in such conversion and any expenses incurred on behalf of the Holders in complying with currency exchange control or other governmental requirements) in accordance with the terms of the applicable sections of this Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary shall have distributed warrants or other instruments that entitle the holders thereof to such Dollars, the Depositary shall distribute such Dollars to the holders of such warrants and/or instruments upon surrender thereof for cancellation, in either case without liability for interest thereon. Such distribution may be made upon an averaged or other practicable basis without regard to any distinctions among Holders on account of any application of exchange restrictions or otherwise.
If such conversion or distribution generally or with regard to a particular Holder can be effected only with the approval or license of any government or agency thereof, the Depositary shall have authority to file such application for approval or license, if any, as it may deem desirable. In no event, however, shall the Depositary be obligated to make such a filing.
If at any time the Depositary shall determine that in its judgment the conversion of any Foreign Currency and the transfer and distribution of proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary is not practical or lawful, or if any approval or license of any governmental authority or agency thereof that is required for such conversion, transfer and distribution is denied or, in the opinion of the Depositary, not obtainable at a reasonable cost or within a reasonable period, the Depositary may, in its discretion after notice to the Company, (i) make such conversion and distribution in Dollars to the Holders for whom such conversion, transfer and distribution is lawful and practicable, (ii) distribute the Foreign Currency (or an appropriate document evidencing the right to receive such Foreign Currency) to Holders for whom this is lawful and practicable or (iii) hold (or cause the Custodian to hold) such Foreign Currency (without liability for interest thereon) for the respective accounts of the Holders entitled to receive the same.
Section 4.9 Fixing of ADS Record Date. Whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders of Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights, or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each American Depositary Share, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or of proxies, of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date (the "ADS Record Date") for the determination of the Holders of Receipts who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, to give or withhold such consent, to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each American Depositary Share. The Depositary shall, to the extent practicable, establish the ADS Record Date as closely as possible to the applicable record date for the Deposited Securities (if any) set by the Company in the Republic of India. Subject to applicable law and the provisions of Section 4.1 through 4.8 and to the other terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of Receipts at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give such voting instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
Section 4.10 Voting of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy. The Depositary shall, if requested by the Company in writing in a timely manner (the Depositary having no obligation to take any further action if the request shall not have been received by the Depositary at least 30 days prior to the date of such vote or meeting), at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist, mail to Holders: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxy, (b) a statement that the Holders at the close of business on the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company and the provisions of or governing the Deposited
Securities (which provisions, if any, shall be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's American Depositary Shares, and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Voting instructions may be given only in respect of a number of American Depositary Shares representing an integral number of Shares or other Deposited Securities. Upon the timely receipt from a Holder of American Depositary Shares as of the ADS Record Date of voting instructions in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement, the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Shares and/or other Deposited Securities (in person or by proxy) represented by such Holder's American Depositary Shares , either on a show of hands, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with instructions received from Holders of a majority of the American Depositary Shares for which instructions have been given to the Depositary, or on a poll, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with the instructions received from the Holders giving instructions.
The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association provide that a poll may be demanded at any general meeting by a holder or holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares entitled to vote on a resolution or (b) Shares with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000. As a result, unless specifically instructed by a Holder or Holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) entitled vote on a resolution or (b) Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000, the Custodian, acting on behalf of the Holders upon the instructions of the Depositary, may not join in demanding a poll. The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association (as in effect on the date hereof) further provide that the Chairman of the Board of the Company shall cast the deciding vote, in the event of a tie.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders. If voting instructions are received by the Depositary from any Holder on or before the date established by the Depositary for the receipt of such instructions, which are signed but without further indication as to specific instructions, the Depositary will deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to vote in favor of the items set forth in such instructions. Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares for which no specific voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder shall not be voted.
Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect to any meeting, or solicitation of consents or proxies, of holders of Shares or other
Deposited Securities if the taking of such action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing to the Shares or other Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions requested to be taken if so requested by the Depositary.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
Section 4.11 Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in
nominal or par value, split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any other
reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization,
reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company
or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the
Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement
of or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent
permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under this Deposit
Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of this Deposit
Agreement and applicable law, evidence American Depositary Shares representing
the right to receive such additional securities. The Depositary may, with the
Company's approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the
terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of an opinion of counsel to the
Company reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that such distributions are
not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, execute and deliver
additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call
for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in
either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary
modifications to the form of Receipt contained in Exhibit A hereto, specifically
describing such new Deposited Securities or corporate change. The Company agrees
to, jointly with the Depositary, amend the Registration Statement on Form F-6 as
filed with the Commission to permit the issuance of such new form of Receipts.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may
not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the
Company's approval, and shall, if the Company requests, subject to receipt of an
opinion of Company's counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary that such
action is not in violation of any applicable laws or regulations, sell such
securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such
terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net
of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided
in Exhibit B hereto and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders otherwise
entitled to such securities upon an averaged or other practicable basis without
regard to any distinctions among such Holders and distribute the net proceeds so
allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in
cash pursuant to Section 4.1. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i)
any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such
securities available to Holders in general or to any Holder in particular, (ii)
any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or
(iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
Section 4.12 Available Information. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549.
Section 4.13 Reports. The Depositary shall make available for inspection
by Holders at its Principal Office any reports and communications, including any
proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a)
received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as
the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the
holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company. The Depositary shall also
mail to Holders copies of such reports when furnished by the Company pursuant to
Section 5.6.
Section 4.14 List of Holders. Promptly upon written request by the Company, the Depositary shall furnish to it a list, as of a recent date, of the names, addresses and holdings of American Depositary Shares of all Holders.
Section 4.15 List of Restricted Securities Owners. Upon each issuance by the Company of any securities that are Restricted Securities, the Company shall provide the Depositary a list setting forth, to the actual knowledge of the Company, those persons or entities who beneficially acquired Restricted Securities. The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities so listed that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder (except as contemplated by Section 2.12 hereof). The Depositary may rely on such a list or update but shall not be liable for any action or omission made in reliance thereon.
Section 4.16 Taxation. The Depositary will, and will instruct the Custodian to, forward to the Company or its agents such information from its records as the Company may reasonably request to enable the Company or its agents to file the necessary tax reports with governmental authorities or agencies. The Depositary, the Custodian or the Company and its agents may file such reports as are necessary to reduce or eliminate applicable taxes on dividends and on other distributions in respect of Deposited Securities under applicable tax treaties or laws for the Holders and Beneficial Owners. In accordance with instructions from the Company and to the extent practicable, the Depositary or the Custodian will take reasonable administrative actions to obtain tax refunds, reduced withholding of tax at source on dividends and other benefits under applicable tax treaties or laws with respect to dividends and other distributions on the Deposited Securities. As a condition to receiving such benefits, Holders and Beneficial Owners of American Depositary Shares may be required from time to time, and in a timely manner, to file such proof of taxpayer status, residence and beneficial ownership (as applicable), to execute such certificates and to make such representations and warranties, or to provide any other information or documents, as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper to fulfill the Depositary's or the Custodian's obligations under applicable law. The Holders and Beneficial Owners shall indemnify the Depositary, the Company, the Custodian and any of their respective directors, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any claims by any governmental authority with respect to taxes, additions to tax, penalties or interest arising out of any refund of taxes, reduced rate of withholding at source or other tax benefit obtained.
If the Company (or any of its agents) withholds from any distribution any amount on account of taxes or governmental charges, or pays any other tax in respect of such distribution (i.e. stamp duty tax, capital gains or other similar tax), the Company shall (and shall cause such agent to) remit promptly to the Depositary information about such taxes or governmental charges withheld or paid, and, if so requested, the tax receipt (or other proof of payment to the applicable governmental authority) therefor, in each case, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary. The Depositary shall, to the extent required by U.S. law, report to Holders any taxes withheld by it or the Custodian, and, if such information is provided to it by the Company, any taxes withheld by the Company. The Depositary and the Custodian shall not be required to provide the Holders with any evidence of the remittance by the Company (or its agents) of any taxes withheld, or of the payment of taxes by the Company, except to the extent the evidence is provided by the Company to the Depositary. Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall be liable for the failure by any Holder or Beneficial Owner to obtain the benefits of credits on the basis non-U.S. tax paid against such Holder's or Beneficial Owner's income tax liability.
The Depositary is under no obligation to provide the Holders and Beneficial Owners with any information about the tax status of the Company. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any tax consequences that may be incurred by Holders and Beneficial Owners on account of their ownership of the American Depositary Shares, including without limitation, tax consequences resulting from the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) being treated as a "Foreign Personal Holding Company," or as a "Passive Foreign Investment Company" (in each case as defined in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the regulations issued thereunder) or otherwise.
ARTICLE V.
THE DEPOSITARY, THE CUSTODIAN AND THE COMPANY
Section 5.1 Maintenance of Office and Transfer Books by the Registrar. Until termination of this Deposit Agreement in accordance with its terms, the Registrar shall maintain in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York, an office and facilities for the execution and delivery, registration of issuances, registration of transfers, combination and split-up of Receipts, the surrender of Receipts for the purpose of withdrawal of Deposited Securities in accordance with the provisions of this Deposit Agreement.
The Registrar shall keep books for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Registrar's knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Registrar may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Section 7.8 hereof.
If any Receipts or the American Depositary Shares evidenced thereby are listed on one or more stock exchanges or automated quotation systems in the United States, the Depositary shall act as Registrar or, upon the written consent of the Company, appoint a Registrar or one or more co-registrars for registration of Receipts and transfers, combinations and split-ups, and to countersign such Receipts in accordance with any requirements of such exchanges or systems. Such Registrar or co-registrars may be removed and a substitute or substitutes appointed by the Depositary upon the written consent of the Company.
Section 5.2 Exoneration. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be
obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of
this Deposit Agreement or incur any liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner
(i) if the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or
delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of this
Deposit Agreement, by reason of any provision of any present or future law or
regulation of the United States, the Republic of India or any other country, or
of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or stock exchange,
or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or restraint, or by
reason of any provision, present or future of the Articles of Association and
Memorandum of Association of the Company or any provision of or governing any
Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or other
circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation,
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes,
civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by
reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for
in this Deposit Agreement or in the Articles of Association and Memorandum of
Association of the Company or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities,
(iii) for any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice or information from
legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any
Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other
person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or
information, (iv) for the inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit
from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available
to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, made available to Holders of American Depositary Shares or (v) for
any consequential or punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this
Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, any Custodian and the Company, its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting upon any written notice, request or other document believed by it to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of this Deposit Agreement.
Section 5.3 Standard of Care. The Company and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Company and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
The Depositary and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Depositary and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith.
Without limitation of the foregoing, neither the Depositary, nor the Company, nor any of their respective controlling persons, or agents, shall be under any obligation to appear in, prosecute or defend any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any Deposited Securities or in respect of the Receipts, which in its opinion may involve it in expense or liability, unless indemnity satisfactory to it against all expense (including fees and disbursements of counsel) and liability be furnished as often as may be required (and no Custodian shall be under any obligation whatsoever with respect to such proceedings, the responsibility of the Custodian being solely to the Depositary).
The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote, provided that any such action or omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company.
Section 5.4 Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary hereunder by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company, such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Company (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof), or (ii) upon the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by written notice of such removal, which removal shall be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary (whereupon the Depositary shall be entitled to take the actions contemplated in Section 6.2 hereof), or (ii) upon the appointment by the Company of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as hereinafter provided.
In case at any time the Depositary acting hereunder shall resign or be
removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to appoint a successor
depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an office in the
Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor depositary shall be
required by the Company to execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the
Company an instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and
thereupon such successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as
required by applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights,
powers, duties and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary,
upon payment of all sums due it and on the written request of the Company shall,
(i) execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights
and powers of such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in Sections
5.08 and 5.09), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and
interest to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to
such successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other
information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may
reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of
its appointment to such Holders.
Any corporation into or with which the Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
Section 5.5 The Custodian. The Depositary has initially appointed Citibank, N.A. - Mumbai Branch as Custodian for the purpose of this Deposit Agreement. The Custodian or its successors in acting hereunder shall be subject at all times and in all respects to the direction of the Depositary for the Shares for which the Custodian acts as custodian and shall be responsible solely to it. If any Custodian resigns or is discharged from its duties hereunder with respect to any Deposited Securities and no other Custodian has previously been appointed hereunder, the Depositary shall promptly appoint a substitute custodian that is organized under the laws of the Republic of India. The Depositary shall require such resigning or discharged Custodian to deliver the Deposited Securities held by it, together with all such records maintained by it as Custodian with respect to such Deposited Securities as the Depositary may request, to the Custodian designated by the Depositary. Whenever the Depositary determines, in its discretion, that it is appropriate to do so, it may, upon notice to the Company, appoint an additional custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities, or discharge the Custodian with respect to any Deposited Securities and appoint a substitute custodian, which shall thereafter be Custodian hereunder with respect to the Deposited Securities. Immediately upon any such change, the Depositary shall give notice thereof in writing to all Holders of Receipts, each other Custodian and the Company.
Upon the appointment of any successor depositary, any Custodian then acting hereunder shall, unless otherwise instructed by the Depositary, continue to be the Custodian of the Deposited Securities without any further act or writing, and shall be subject to the direction of the successor depositary. The successor depositary so appointed shall, nevertheless, on the written request of any Custodian, execute and deliver to such Custodian all such instruments as may be proper to give to such Custodian full and complete power and authority to act on the direction of such successor depositary.
Section 5.6 Notices and Reports. On or before the first date on which the Company gives notice, by publication or otherwise, of any meeting of holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or of any adjourned meeting of such holders, or of the taking of any action by such holders other than at a meeting, or of the taking of any action in respect of any cash or other distributions or the offering of any rights in respect of Deposited Securities, the Company shall transmit to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the notice thereof in the English language but otherwise in the form given or to be given to holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities. The Company shall also furnish to the Custodian and the Depositary a summary, in English, of any applicable provisions or proposed provisions of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company that may be relevant or pertain to such notice of meeting or be the subject of a vote thereat.
The Company will also transmit to the Depositary (a) an English language version of the other notices, reports and communications which are made generally available by the Company to holders of its Shares or other Deposited Securities and (b) the English-language versions of the Company's annual and semi-annual reports prepared in accordance with the applicable requirements of the Commission. The Depositary shall arrange, at the request of the Company and at the Company's expense, for the mailing of copies thereof to all Holders or make such notices, reports and other communications available to all Holders on a basis similar to that for holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities or on such other basis as the Company may advise the Depositary or as may be required by any applicable law, regulation or stock exchange requirement. The Company has delivered to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association along with the provisions of or governing the Shares and any other Deposited Securities issued by the Company or any Affiliate of the Company in connection with such Shares, and promptly upon any amendment thereto or change therein, the Company shall deliver to the Depositary and the Custodian a copy of such amendment thereto or change therein. The Depositary may rely upon such copy for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
The Depositary will, at the expense of the Company, make available a copy of any such notices, reports or communications issued by the Company and delivered to the Depositary for inspection by the Holders of the Receipts evidencing the American Depositary Shares representing such Shares governed by such provisions at the Depositary's Principal Office, at the office of the Custodian and at any other designated transfer office.
Section 5.7 Issuance of Additional Shares, ADSs etc. The Company agrees
that in the event it or any of its Affiliates proposes (i) an issuance, sale or
distribution of additional Shares, (ii) an offering of rights to subscribe for
Shares or other Deposited Securities, (iii) an issuance of securities
convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (iv) an issuance of rights to
subscribe for securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares, (v) an
elective dividend of cash or Shares, (vi) a redemption of Deposited Securities,
(vii) a meeting of holders of Deposited Securities, or solicitation of consents
or proxies, relating to any reclassification of securities, merger or
consolidation or transfer of assets, or (viii) any reclassification,
recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation or sale of assets which
affects the Deposited Securities, it will obtain U.S. legal advice and take all
steps necessary to ensure that the application of the proposed transaction to
Holders and Beneficial Owners does not violate the registration provisions of
the Securities Act, or any other applicable laws (including, without limitation,
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Exchange Act or the
securities laws of the states of the United States). In support of the
foregoing, the Company will, at the request of the Depositary, furnish to the
Depositary (a) a written opinion of U.S. counsel (reasonably satisfactory to the
Depositary) stating whether or not application of such transaction to Holders
and Beneficial Owners (1) requires a registration statement under the Securities
Act to be in effect or (2) is exempt from the registration requirements of the
Securities Act and (b) an opinion of the Republic of India counsel stating that
(1) making the transaction available to Holders and Beneficial Owners does not
violate the laws or regulations of the Republic of India and (2) all requisite
regulatory consents and approvals have been obtained in the Republic of India.
If the filing of a registration statement is required, the Depositary shall not
have any obligation to proceed with the transaction unless it shall have
received evidence reasonably satisfactory to it that such registration statement
has been declared effective. If, being advised by counsel, the Company
determines that a transaction is required to be registered under the Securities
Act, the Company will either (i) register such transaction to the extent
necessary, (ii) alter the terms of the transaction to avoid the registration
requirements of the Securities Act or (iii) direct the Depositary to take
specific measures, in each case as contemplated in this Deposit Agreement, to
prevent such transaction from violating the registration requirements of the
Securities Act. The Company agrees with the Depositary that neither the Company
nor any of its Affiliates will at any time (i) deposit any Shares or other
Deposited Securities, either upon original issuance or upon a sale of Shares or
other Deposited Securities previously issued and reacquired by the Company or by
any such Affiliate, or (ii) issue additional Shares, rights to subscribe for
such Shares, securities convertible into or exchangeable for Shares or rights to
subscribe for such securities, unless such transaction and the securities
issuable in such transaction are exempt from registration under the Securities
Act or have been registered under the Securities Act (and such registration
statement has been declared effective).
Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Deposit Agreement, nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any proposed transaction.
Section 5.8 Indemnification. The Depositary agrees to indemnify the Company and its directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any direct loss, liability, tax, charge or expense of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) which may arise out of acts performed or omitted by the Depositary under the terms hereof due to the negligence or bad faith of the Depositary.
The Company agrees to indemnify the Depositary, the Custodian and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of them harmless from, any direct loss, liability, tax, charge or
expense of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel) that may arise (a) out of or in connection with any offer, issuance, sale, resale, transfer, deposit or withdrawal of Receipts, American Depositary Shares, the Shares, or other Deposited Securities, as the case may be, (b) out of or as a result of any offering documents in respect thereof or (c) out of acts performed or omitted (i) by the Depositary, the Custodian or any of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates under the terms of this Deposit Agreement, except to the extent such loss, liability, tax, charge or expense is due to the negligence or bad faith of any of them, or (ii) by the Company or any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and Affiliates.
The obligations set forth in this Section shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement and the succession or substitution of any party hereto.
Any person seeking indemnification hereunder (an "indemnified person") shall notify the person from whom it is seeking indemnification (the "indemnifying person") of the commencement of any indemnifiable action or claim promptly after such indemnified person becomes aware of such commencement (provided that the failure to make such notification shall not affect such indemnified person's rights to seek indemnification except to the extent the indemnifying person is materially prejudiced by such failure) and shall consult in good faith with the indemnifying person as to the conduct of the defense of such action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder, which defense shall be reasonable in the circumstances. No indemnified person shall compromise or settle any action or claim that may give rise to an indemnity hereunder without the consent of the indemnifying person, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Section 5.9 Fees and Charges of Depositary. The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners, and persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, as the case may be, shall be required to pay to the Depositary the Depositary's fees and related charges identified as payable by them respectively in the Fee Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit B. All fees and charges so payable may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and the Company, but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders and Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated in Section 6.1. The Depositary shall provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request.
The Company agrees to promptly pay to the Depositary such other fees and charges and to reimburse the Depositary for such out-of-pocket expenses as the Depositary and the Company may agree to in writing from time to time. Responsibility for payment of such charges may at any time and from time to time be changed by agreement between the Company and the Depositary. Unless otherwise agreed, the Depositary shall present its statement for such expenses and fees or charges to the Company once every three months. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
The right of the Depositary to receive payment of fees, charges and expenses as provided above shall survive the termination of this Deposit Agreement. As to any Depositary, upon the resignation or removal of such Depositary as described in Section 5.4 hereof, such right shall extend for those fees, charges and expenses incurred prior to the effectiveness of such resignation or removal.
Section 5.10 Pre-Release. Subject to the further terms and provisions of
this Section 5.10, the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own
behalf and on behalf of their clients, may own and deal in any class of
securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. In its capacity as
Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however,
that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant
to Section 2.3 and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for
withdrawal of Deposited Securities pursuant to Section 2.7, including ADSs which
were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been received
(each such transaction a "Pre-Release Transaction"). The Depositary may receive
ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under
(ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) subject to a written
agreement whereby the person or entity (the "Applicant") to whom ADSs or Shares
are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release
Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be
delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x) agrees to
indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to
hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs
are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees
to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or
ADSs, and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the
Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash,
United States government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary
deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5)
business days' notice and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit
regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally
limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at
any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving
effect to ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however, that the
Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to
time as it deems appropriate.
The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not the earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant).
Section 5.11 Restricted Securities Owners. The Company agrees to advise in writing each of the persons or entities who, to the knowledge of the Company, holds Restricted Securities that such Restricted Securities are ineligible for deposit hereunder and, to the extent practicable, shall require each of such persons to represent in writing that such person will not deposit Restricted Securities hereunder.
ARTICLE VI.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
Section 6.1 Amendment/Supplement. The Receipts outstanding at any time, the provisions of this Deposit Agreement and the form of Receipt attached hereto and to be issued under the terms hereof may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the prior written consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the American Depositary Shares to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the American Depositary Share(s) to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such American Depositary Share(s), to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement and the Receipt as amended and supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require an amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and the Receipts at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement and the Receipts in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, rules or regulations.
Section 6.2 Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in Section 5.4, the Depositary may terminate this Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date
fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Holder of a Receipt will, upon surrender of such Receipt at the Principal Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of Receipts referred to in Section 2.7 and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under this Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in this Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in Section 2.7, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). At any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts, the Deposited Securities and the American Depositary Shares, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case, the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of this Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under this Deposit Agreement except for its obligations to the Depositary under Sections 5.8, 5.9 and 7.6 hereof.
ARTICLE VII.
MISCELLANEOUS
Section 7.1 Counterparts. This Deposit Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of such counterparts together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Copies of this Deposit Agreement shall be maintained with the Depositary and shall be open to inspection by any Holder during business hours.
Section 7.2 No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Deposit Agreement is for the exclusive benefit of the parties hereto (and their successors) and shall not
be deemed to give any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim whatsoever to any other person, except to the extent specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement. Nothing in this Deposit Agreement shall be deemed to give rise to a partnership or joint venture among the parties nor establish a fiduciary or similar relationship among the parties. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) the Depositary and its Affiliates may at any time have multiple banking relationships with the Company and its Affiliates, (ii) the Depositary and its Affiliates may be engaged at any time in transactions in which parties adverse to the Company or the Holders or Beneficial Owners may have interests and (iii) nothing contained in this Agreement shall (a) preclude the Depositary or any of its Affiliates from engaging in such transactions or establishing or maintaining such relationships, (b) obligate the Depositary or any of its Affiliates to disclose such transactions or relationships or to account for any profit made or payment received in such transactions or relationships.
Section 7.3 Severability. In case any one or more of the provisions contained in this Deposit Agreement or in the Receipts should be or become invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained herein or therein shall in no way be affected, prejudiced or disturbed thereby.
Section 7.4 Holders and Beneficial Owners as Parties; Binding Effect. The Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares shall be parties to the Deposit Agreement and shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions thereof and of any Receipt by acceptance thereof of any beneficial interest therein.
Section 7.5 Notices. Any and all notices to be given to the Company shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex or facsimile transmission, confirmed by letter, addressed to Satyam Infoway Limited, Maanasarovar Towers, 271-A, Anna Salai, Teynampet, Chennai 600 015, India, Attention: R. Ramaraj, or to any other address which the Company may specify in writing to the Depositary.
Any and all notices to be given to the Depositary shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex or facsimile transmission, confirmed by letter, addressed to Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, U.S.A. Attention: ADR Department, or to any other address which the Depositary may specify in writing to the Company.
Any and all notices to be given to the Custodian shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex or facsimile transmission, confirmed by letter, addressed to Barodawala Mansion, 81, Dr. Annie Besant Road, Worli, Mumbai India 400018 or to any other address which the Custodian may specify in writing to the Company.
Any and all notices to be given to any Holder shall be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or sent by mail or cable, telex or facsimile transmission, confirmed by letter, addressed to such Holder at the address of such Holder as it appears on the transfer books for Receipts of the Depositary, or, if such Holder shall have filed with the Depositary a written request that notices intended for such Holder be mailed to some other address, at the address specified in such request. Notice to Holders shall be deemed to be notice to Beneficial Owners for all purposes of this Deposit Agreement.
Delivery of a notice sent by mail, air courier or cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall be deemed to be effective at the time when a duly addressed letter containing the same (or a confirmation thereof in the case of a cable, telex or facsimile transmission) is deposited, postage prepaid, in a post-office letter box or delivered to an air courier service. The Depositary or the Company may, however, act upon any cable, telex or facsimile transmission received by it from the other or from any Holder, notwithstanding that such cable, telex or facsimile transmission shall not subsequently be confirmed by letter as aforesaid.
Section 7.6 Governing Law and Jurisdiction. This Deposit Agreement and the Receipts shall be interpreted in accordance with, and all rights hereunder and thereunder and provisions hereof and thereof shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York without reference to the principles of choice of law thereof. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Deposit Agreement, any Receipt or any present or future provisions of the laws of the State of New York, the rights of holders of Shares and of any other Deposited Securities and the obligations and duties of the Company in respect of the holders of Shares and other Deposited Securities, as such, shall be governed by the laws of the Republic of India (or, if applicable, such other laws as may govern the Deposited Securities).
Except as set forth in the following paragraph of this Section 7.6, the
Company and the Depositary agree that the federal or state courts in the City of
New York shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any suit, action or
proceeding and to settle any dispute between them that may arise out of or in
connection with this Deposit Agreement and, for such purposes, each irrevocably
submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Company hereby
irrevocably designates, appoints and empowers CT Corporation System (the
"Agent") now at 111 Eighth Avenue, New York, New York 10011, telephone number
(212) 590-9200 as its authorized agent to receive and accept for and on its
behalf, and on behalf of its properties, assets and revenues, service by mail of
any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents that may be served in
any suit, action or proceeding brought against the Company in any federal or
state court as described in the preceding sentence or in the next paragraph of
this Section 7.6. If for any reason the Agent shall cease to be available to act
as such, the Company agrees to designate a new agent in New York on the terms
and for the purposes of this Section 7.6 reasonably satisfactory to the
Depositary. The Company further hereby irrevocably consents and agrees to the
service of any and all legal process, summons, notices and documents in any
suit, action or proceeding against the Company, by service by mail of a copy
thereof upon the Agent (whether or not the appointment of such Agent shall for
any reason prove to be ineffective or such Agent shall fail to accept or
acknowledge such service), with a copy mailed to the Company by registered or
certified air mail, postage prepaid, to its address provided in Section 7.5
hereof. The Company agrees that the failure of the Agent to give any notice of
such service to it shall not impair or affect in any way the validity of such
service or any judgment rendered in any action or proceeding based thereon.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Depositary and the Company unconditionally agree that in the event that a Holder or Beneficial Owner brings a suit, action or proceeding against (a) the Company, (b) the Depositary in its capacity as Depositary under this Deposit Agreement or (c) against both the Company and the Depositary, in any such case, in any state or federal court of the United States, and the Depositary or the Company have any claim, for indemnification or otherwise, against each other arising out of the subject matter of such suit, action or proceeding, then the Company and the Depositary may pursue such claim against each other in the state or federal court in the United States in which such suit, action, or proceeding is pending and, for such purposes, the Company and the Depositary irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of such courts. The Company agrees that service of process upon the Agent in the manner set forth in the preceding paragraph shall be effective service upon it for any suit, action or proceeding brought against it as described in this paragraph.
The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any actions, suits or proceedings brought in any court as provided in this Section 7.6, and hereby further irrevocably and unconditionally waives and agrees not to plead or claim in any such court that any such action, suit or proceeding brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.
The Company irrevocably and unconditionally waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, and agrees not to plead or claim, any right of immunity from legal action, suit or proceeding, from setoff or counterclaim, from the jurisdiction of any court, from service of process, from attachment upon or prior to judgment, from attachment in aid of execution or judgment, from execution of judgment, or from any other legal process or proceeding for the giving of any relief or for the enforcement of any judgment, and consents to such relief and enforcement against it, its assets and its revenues in any jurisdiction, in each case with respect to any matter arising out of, or in connection with, the Deposit Agreement, any Receipt or the Deposited Securities.
No disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of the Deposit Agreement. The provisions of this Section 7.6 shall survive any termination of this Deposit Agreement, in whole or in part.
Section 7.7 Assignment. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.4 hereof, this Deposit Agreement may not be assigned by either the Company or the Depositary.
Section 7.8 Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding anything in this Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Instruction I.A.(1)of the General Instructions to Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act.
Section 7.9 Titles. All references in this Deposit Agreement to exhibits, articles, sections, subsections, and other subdivisions refer to the exhibits, articles, sections, subsections and other subdivisions of this Deposit Agreement
unless expressly provided otherwise. The words "this Deposit Agreement", "herein", "hereof", "hereby", "hereunder", and words of similar import refer to the Deposit Agreement as a whole as in effect between the Company, the Depositary and the Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs and not to any particular subdivision unless expressly so limited. Pronouns in masculine, feminine and neuter gender shall be construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular form shall be construed to include the plural and vice versa unless the context otherwise requires. Titles to sections of this Deposit Agreement are included for convenience only and shall be disregarded in construing the language contained in this Deposit Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED and CITIBANK, N.A. have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof, or upon acquisition of any beneficial interest therein.
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
By: /s/ R. Ramaraj -------------------------- Name: R. Ramaraj Title: Chief Executive Officer |
CITIBANK, N.A.
By: /s/ Nancy C. Lissemore -------------------------- Name: Nancy C. Lissemore Title: Vice President |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED and CITIBANK, N.A. have duly executed this Deposit Agreement as of the day and year first above set forth and all Holders and Beneficial Owners shall become parties hereto upon acceptance by them of American Depositary Shares evidenced by Receipts issued in accordance with the terms hereof, or upon acquisition of any beneficial interest therein.
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
Title:
CITIBANK, N.A.
Title:
EXHIBIT A
[FORM OF RECEIPT] Number CUSIP NUMBER: 804099109 American Depositary Shares (each American Depositary Share representing one (1) equity share, par value Rs.10 per share) |
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY RECEIPT
FOR
AMERICAN DEPOSITARY SHARES
representing
DEPOSITED EQUITY SHARES
of
SATYAM INFOWAY LIMITED
(a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India)
CITIBANK, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as depositary (the "Depositary"), hereby certifies that _____________is the owner of ______________ American Depositary Shares (hereinafter "ADS"), representing deposited equity shares, each of par value of Rs.10 per share, including evidence of rights to receive such equity shares (the "Shares") of Satyam Infoway Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India (the "Company"). As of the date of the Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined), each ADS represents one Share deposited under the Deposit Agreement with (except as contemplated in Section 5.10 of the Deposit Agreement) the Custodian, which at the date of execution of the Deposit Agreement is Citibank, N.A. - Mumbai Branch (the "Custodian"). The ratio of American Depositary Shares to Shares is subject to amendment as provided in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary's Principal Office is located at 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, U.S.A.
(1) The Deposit Agreement. This American Depositary Receipt is one of an issue of American Depositary Receipts ("Receipts"), all issued and to be issued upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, dated as of
October 18, 1999 (as amended from time to time, the "Deposit Agreement"), by and among the Company, the Depositary, and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") evidenced by Receipts issued thereunder, each of whom by accepting an ADS (or an interest therein) agrees to become a party thereto and becomes bound by all the terms and conditions thereof. The Deposit Agreement sets forth the rights and obligations of Holders and Beneficial Owners of Receipts and the rights and duties of the Depositary in respect of the Shares deposited thereunder and any and all other securities, property and cash from time to time received in respect of such Shares and held thereunder (such Shares, securities, property and cash are herein called "Deposited Securities"). Copies of the Deposit Agreement are on file at the Principal Office of the Depositary and with the Custodian.
The statements made on the face and reverse of this Receipt are summaries of certain provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company (as in effect on the date of the signing of the Deposit Agreement) and are qualified by and subject to the detailed provisions of the Deposit Agreement and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, to which reference is hereby made. All capitalized terms used herein which are not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary makes no representation or warranty as to the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities. The Depositary has made arrangements for the acceptance of the ADSs into DTC. Each Beneficial Owner of ADSs held through DTC must rely on the procedures of DTC and the DTC Participants to exercise and be entitled to any rights attributable to such ADSs.
(2) Surrender of Receipts and Withdrawal of Deposited Securities.
The Holder of this Receipt (and of the ADSs evidenced hereby) shall be entitled to Delivery (at the Custodian's designated office) to him or upon his order of the Deposited Securities at the time represented by the ADS(s) evidenced hereby upon satisfaction of each of the following conditions: (i) the Holder (or a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) has duly Delivered to the Depositary at its Principal Office the ADSs evidenced hereby (and, if applicable, this Receipt) for the purpose of withdrawal of the Deposited Securities represented thereby, (ii) if so required by the Depositary, this Receipt has been properly endorsed in blank or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer in blank (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) if so required by the Depositary, the Holder of the ADSs has executed and delivered to the Depositary a written order directing the Depositary to cause the Deposited Securities being withdrawn to be Delivered to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in such order, and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B hereof) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the Deposit Agreement, of the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, and of any applicable laws and the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to any provisions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
Upon satisfaction of each of the conditions specified above, the Depositary (i) shall cancel the ADSs Delivered to it (and, if applicable, the Receipt evidencing the ADSs so Delivered), (ii) shall direct the Registrar to record the cancellation of the ADSs so Delivered on the books maintained for such purpose, and (iii) shall direct the Custodian to Deliver (without unreasonable delay) at the Custodian's designated office the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs so canceled together with any certificate or other document of title for the Deposited Securities, or evidence of the electronic transfer thereof (if available), as the case may be, to or upon the written order of the person(s) designated in the order delivered to the Depositary for such purpose, subject however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, of this Receipt, of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, applicable laws and of the rules of the Reserve Bank of India, and to the terms and conditions of or governing the Deposited Securities, in each case as in effect at the time thereof.
The Depositary shall not accept for surrender ADSs representing less than one Share. In the case of surrender of ADSs representing other than a whole number of Shares, the Depositary shall cause ownership of the appropriate whole number of Shares to be Delivered in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall, at the discretion of the Depositary, either (i) return to the person surrendering such ADSs the number of ADSs representing any remaining fractional Share, or (ii) sell or cause to be sold the fractional Share represented by the ADS(s) so surrendered and remit the proceeds of such sale (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and (b) taxes withheld) to the person surrendering the ADSs. Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may make delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary of (i) any cash dividends or cash distributions, or (ii) any proceeds from the sale of any distributions of shares or rights, which are at the time held by the Depositary in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by the ADSs evidenced by this Receipt. At the request, risk and expense of any Holder so surrendering ADSs, represented by this Receipt, and for the account of such Holder, the Depositary shall direct the Custodian to forward (to the extent permitted by law) any cash or other property (other than securities) held by the Custodian in respect of the Deposited Securities represented by such ADSs to the Depositary for delivery at the Principal Office of the Depositary. Such direction shall be given by letter or, at the request, risk and expense of such Holder, by cable, telex or facsimile transmission.
(3) Transfer, Combination and Split-Up of Receipts. The Registrar shall promptly register the transfer of this Receipt (and of the ADSs represented thereby) on the books maintained for such purpose and the Depositary shall cancel this Receipt and execute new Receipts evidencing the same aggregate number of ADSs as those evidenced by this Receipt when canceled, shall cause the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new Receipts
to or upon the order of the person entitled thereto, if each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) this Receipt has been duly Delivered by the Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a transfer thereof, (ii) this Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer (including signature guarantees in accordance with standard securities industry practice), (iii) this Receipt has been duly stamped (if required by the laws of the State of New York or of the United States), and (iv) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary and all applicable taxes and governmental charges (as are set forth in Section 5.9 and Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject, however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
The Registrar shall promptly register the split-up or combination of this
Receipt (and of the ADSs represented hereby) on the books maintained for such
purpose and the Depositary shall cancel this Receipt and execute new Receipts
for the number of ADSs requested, but in the aggregate not exceeding the number
of ADSs evidenced by this Receipt when canceled by the Depositary, shall cause
the Registrar to countersign such new Receipts and shall Deliver such new
Receipts to or upon the order of the Holder thereof, if each of the following
conditions has been satisfied: (i) this Receipt has been duly Delivered by the
Holder (or by a duly authorized attorney of the Holder) to the Depositary at its
Principal Office for the purpose of effecting a split-up or combination hereof,
and (ii) all applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the
Depositary and all applicable taxes and government charges (as are set forth in
Section 5.9 and Exhibit B to the Deposit Agreement) have been paid, subject,
however, in each case, to the terms and conditions of this Receipt, of the
Deposit Agreement and of applicable law.
(4) Pre-Conditions to Registration, Transfer, Etc. As a condition precedent to the execution and delivery, registration of transfer, split-up, combination or surrender of any Receipt, the delivery of any distribution thereon, or the withdrawal of any Deposited Securities, the Depositary or the Custodian may require (i) payment from the depositor of Shares or presenter of ADSs or of a Receipt of a sum sufficient to reimburse it for any tax or other governmental charge and any stock transfer or registration fee with respect thereto (including any such tax or charge and fee with respect to Shares being deposited or withdrawn) and payment of any applicable fees and charges of the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and in this Receipt, (ii) the production of proof satisfactory to it as to the identity and genuineness of any signature or any other matters contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) compliance with (A) any laws or governmental regulations relating to the execution and delivery of Receipts or ADSs or to the withdrawal of Deposited Securities and (B) such reasonable regulations of the Depositary and the Company may establish consistent with the Deposit Agreement and applicable law.
The issuance of ADSs against deposits of Shares generally or against deposits of particular Shares may be suspended, or the delivery of ADSs against the deposit of particular Shares may be withheld, or the registration of
transfer of Receipts in particular instances may be refused, or the registration of transfer of outstanding Receipts generally may be suspended, during any period when the transfer books of the Company, the Depositary, a Registrar or the Share Registrar, if any, are closed or if any such action is deemed necessary or advisable by the Depositary or the Company, in good faith, at any time or from time to time because of any requirement of law, any government or governmental body or commission or any securities exchange upon which the Receipts or Shares are listed, or under any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, or under any provision of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, or because of a meeting of shareholders of the Company or for any other reason, subject in all cases to Article (24) hereof. Notwithstanding any provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to the contrary, Holders are entitled to surrender outstanding ADSs to withdraw the Deposited Securities at any time subject only to (i) temporary delays caused by closing the transfer books of the Depositary or the Company or the deposit of Shares in connection with voting at a shareholders' meeting or the payment of dividends, (ii) the payment of fees, taxes and similar charges, (iii) compliance with any U.S. or foreign laws or governmental regulations relating to the Receipts or to the withdrawal of the Deposited Securities, and (iv) other circumstances specifically contemplated by Section I.A.(l) of the General Instructions to Form F-6 (as such General Instructions may be amended from time to time).
(5) Compliance With Information Requests. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, each Holder and Beneficial Owner of the ADSs represented hereby agrees to comply with the laws of the Republic of India, the rules and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Board of India, Reserve Bank of India, and of any stock exchange on which Shares or ADSs are, or will be registered, traded or listed or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company, which require notification to the Company of interest in Deposited Securities, inter alia, as to certain acquisition or disposition of shares (or share equivalents) the capacity in which such Holder or Beneficial Owner owns ADSs (and Shares, as the case may be) and regarding the identity of any other person(s) then or previously interested in such ADSs and the nature of such interest and various other matters, whether or not they are Holders and/or Beneficial Owners at the time of such request.
(6) Ownership Restrictions. Notwithstanding any provision of this Receipt or of the Deposit Agreement, the Company may restrict transfers of the Shares where such transfer might result in ownership of Shares exceeding limits imposed under applicable law and regulation, or the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company. The Company may also restrict, in such manner as it deems appropriate, transfers of ADSs where such transfer may result in the total number of Shares represented by the ADSs owned by a single Holder or Beneficial Owner to exceed any such limits. The Company may, in its sole discretion but subject to applicable law, instruct the Depositary to take action with respect to the ownership interest of any Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of the limits set forth in the preceding sentence, including but not limited to, the imposition of restrictions on the transfer of ADSs, the removal
or limitation of voting rights or a mandatory sale or disposition on behalf of a Holder or Beneficial Owner of the Shares represented by the ADSs held by such Holder or Beneficial Owner in excess of such limitations, if and to the extent such disposition is permitted by applicable law and the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company.
(7) Liability of Holder for Taxes and Other Charges. If any tax or other
governmental charge shall become payable with respect to any Receipt or any
Deposited Securities or ADSs, such tax, or other governmental charge shall be
payable by the Holders and Beneficial Owners to the Depositary. The Company, the
Custodian and/or Depositary may withhold or deduct from any distributions made
in respect of Deposited Securities and may sell for the account of Holder and/or
Beneficial Owner any or all of the Deposited Securities and apply such
distributions and sale proceeds in payment of such taxes (including applicable
interest and penalties) or charges, the Holder and the Beneficial Owner hereof
remaining liable for any deficiency. The Custodian may refuse the deposit of
Shares and the Depositary may refuse to issue ADSs, to deliver Receipts,
register the transfer, split-up or combination of ADRs and (subject to Article
(24) hereof) the withdrawal of Deposited Securities until payment in full of
such tax, charge, penalty or interest is received. Every Holder and Beneficial
Owner mat be required from time to time to indemnify the Depositary, the
Company, the Custodian, and any of their agents, officers, employees and
Affiliates for, and to hold each of them harmless from, any claims with respect
to taxes (including applicable interest and penalties thereon) arising from any
tax benefit obtained for such Holder and/or Beneficial Owner.
(8) Representations and Warranties of Depositors. Each person depositing Shares under the Deposit Agreement shall be deemed thereby to represent and warrant that such Shares and each certificate therefor are validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable and that any preemptive rights have been validly waived or exercised, and that the person making such deposit is duly authorized so to do. Except as contemplated by Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement each such person shall also be deemed to represent that Shares deposited by that person are not Restricted Securities, and that the deposit of Shares or sale of Receipts by that person is not restricted, under the Securities Act of 1933. Such representations and warranties shall survive the deposit of Shares and issuance of Receipts or adjustments in the Depositary's records in respect thereof.
(9) Filing Proofs, Certificates and Other Information. Any person presenting Shares for deposit, any Holder and any Beneficial Owner may be required by the Company or the Depositary, and every Holder and Beneficial Owner agrees, from time to time to provide to the Depositary, the Company and the Custodian such proof of citizenship or residence, taxpayer status, payment of all applicable taxes or other governmental charges, exchange control approval and approval for deposit, legal or beneficial ownership of ADSs and Deposited Securities, compliance with applicable laws and regulations and the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the provisions of, or governing, the Deposited Securities, to execute such certifications and to make such representations and warranties,
and to provide such other information or documentation (or, in the case of Shares in registered form presented for deposit, such information relating to the registration of Shares on the books of the Shares Registrar) as the Depositary or the Custodian may deem necessary or proper or as the Company may reasonably require by written request to the Depositary consistent with its obligations under the Deposit Agreement. Subject to Article (24) hereof and the terms of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary and the Registrar, as applicable, may withhold the execution or Delivery or registration of transfer of any Receipt or the distribution or sale of any dividend or other distribution of rights or of the proceeds thereof or, to the extent not limited by Article 24 hereof, the Delivery of any Deposited Securities until such proof or other information is filed or such certificates are executed, or such representations are made or such information and documentation are provided, in each case to the Depositary's, the Registrar's and the Company's satisfaction.
(10) Charges of Depositary. The Depositary shall charge the following fees for the services performed under the terms of the Deposit Agreement:
(i) to any person to whom ADSs are issued upon the deposit of Shares, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so issued under the terms of the Deposit Agreement (excluding issuances pursuant to paragraphs (iii) and (iv) below);
(ii) to any person surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 5.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) so surrendered;
(iii) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) held for the distribution of cash proceeds (i.e. upon the sale of rights and other entitlements); no fee shall be payable for the distribution of cash dividends or the distribution of ADSs pursuant to stock dividends or other free distributions of shares as long as such fees are prohibited by the exchange upon which the ADSs are listed.
(iv) to any Holder of ADRs, a fee not in the excess of U.S. $ 2.00 per 100 ADSs (or portion thereof) issued upon the exercise of rights.
In addition, Holders, Beneficial Owners, person depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and withdrawal of Deposited Securities will be required to pay the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing or withdrawing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
Any other charges and expenses of the Depositary under the Deposit Agreement will be paid by the Company upon agreement between the Depositary and the Company. All fees and charges may, at any time and from time to time, be changed by agreement between the Depositary and Company but, in the case of fees and charges payable by Holders or Beneficial Owners, only in the manner contemplated by Article (22) of this Receipt. The Depositary will provide, without charge, a copy of its latest fee schedule to anyone upon request. The charges and expenses of the Custodian are for the sole account of the Depositary.
(11) Title to Receipts. It is a condition of this Receipt, and every successive Holder of this Receipt by accepting or holding the same consents and agrees, that title to this Receipt (and to each ADS evidenced hereby) shall be transferable on the same terms as a certificated security under the laws of the State of New York, provided that the Receipt has been properly endorsed or is accompanied by proper instruments of transfer. Notwithstanding any notice to the contrary, the Depositary and the Company may deem and treat the Holder of this Receipt (that is, the person in whose name this Receipt is registered on the books of the Depositary) as the absolute owner thereof for all purposes. Neither the Company nor the Depositary shall have any obligation nor be subject to any liability under the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt to any holder of this Receipt or any Beneficial Owner unless such holder is the registered Holder of this Receipt or, in the case of a Beneficial Owner, such Beneficial Owner or the Beneficial Owner's representative is the registered Holder thereof.
(12) Validity of Receipt. This Receipt (and the Americana Depositary Shares represented hereby) shall not be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement or be valid or enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company unless this Receipt has been (i) dated, (ii) signed by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary, (iii) countersigned by the manual or facsimile signature of a duly authorized signatory of the Registrar, and (iv) registered in the books maintained by the Registrar for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts. Receipts bearing the facsimile signature of a duly-authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, who at the time of signature was a duly authorized signatory of the Depositary or the Registrar, as the case may be, shall bind the Depositary, notwithstanding the fact that such signatory has ceased to be so authorized prior to the delivery of such Receipt by the Depositary.
(13) Available Information; Reports; Inspection of Transfer Books. The Company is subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and accordingly files certain information with the Commission. These reports and documents can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission located at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20549. The Depositary shall make available for inspection by Holders at its Principal Office any reports and communications, including any proxy soliciting materials, received from the Company which are both (a) received by the Depositary, the Custodian, or the nominee of either of them as the holder of the Deposited Securities and (b) made generally available to the holders of such Deposited Securities by the Company.
The Registrar shall keep books for the registration of issuances and transfers of Receipts which at all reasonable times shall be open for inspection by the Company and by the Holders of such Receipts, provided that such inspection shall not be, to the Registrar's knowledge, for the purpose of communicating with Holders of such Receipts in the interest of a business or object other than the business of the Company or other than a matter related to the Deposit Agreement or the Receipts.
The Registrar may close the transfer books with respect to the Receipts, at any time or from time to time, when deemed necessary or advisable by it in good faith in connection with the performance of its duties hereunder, or at the reasonable written request of the Company subject, in all cases, to Article (24) hereof.
Dated: CITIBANK, N.A. CITIBANK, N.A., Transfer Agent and Registrar as Depositary By: By: ---------------------------- ---------------------------- Authorized Signatory Vice President |
The address of the Principal Office of the Depositary is 111 Wall Street, New York, New York 10043, U.S.A.
[FORM OF REVERSE OF RECEIPT]
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS
OF THE DEPOSIT AGREEMENT
(14) Dividends and Distributions in Cash, Shares, etc. Whenever the Depositary receives confirmation from the Custodian of receipt of any cash dividend or other cash distribution on any Deposited Securities, or receives proceeds from the sale of any Shares, rights securities or other entitlements under the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary will (i) if at the time of receipt thereof any amounts received in a Foreign Currency can in the judgment of the Depositary (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), be converted on a practicable basis into Dollars transferable to the United States, promptly convert or cause to be converted such dividend, distribution or proceeds into Dollars (upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement), (ii) if applicable, establish the ADS Record Date upon the terms described in Section 4.9, and (iii) promptly distribute the amount thus received (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes withheld) to the Holders entitled thereto as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADS held as of the ADS Record Date. The Depositary shall distribute only such amount, however, as can be distributed without attributing to any Holder a fraction of one cent, and any balance not so distributed shall be held by the Depositary (without liability for interest thereon) and shall be added to and become part of the next sum received by the Depositary for distribution to Holders of ADSs then outstanding. If the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary is required to withhold and does withhold from any cash dividend or other cash distribution in respect of any Deposited Securities an amount on account of taxes, duties or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to Holders on the ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. Such withheld amounts shall be forwarded by the Company, the Custodian or the Depositary to the relevant governmental authority.
If any distribution upon any Deposited Securities consists of a dividend in, or free distribution of, Shares, the Company shall or cause such Shares to be deposited with the Custodian and registered, as the case may be, in the name of the Depositary, the Custodian or their respective nominees. Upon receipt of confirmation of such deposit from the Custodian, the Depositary shall, subject to and in accordance with the Deposit Agreement, establish the ADS Record Date and either (i) the Depositary shall distribute to the Holders as of the ADS Record Date in proportion to the number of ADSs held as of the ADS Record Date, additional ADSs, which represent in aggregate the number of Shares received as such dividend, or free distribution, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (including, without limitation, (a) the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes), or (ii) if additional ADSs are not so distributed, each ADS issued and outstanding after the ADS Record Date shall, to the extent permissible by law, thenceforth also represent rights and interest in the additional integral number of Shares distributed upon the Deposited Securities
represented thereby (net (a) of the applicable fees and charges of, and the
expenses incurred by, the Depositary, as provided in the Deposit Agreement and
(b) taxes). In lieu of delivering fractional ADSs, the Depositary shall sell the
number of Shares or ADSs, as the case may be, represented by the aggregate of
such fractions and distribute the net proceeds upon the terms set forth in the
Deposit Agreement.
In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, or, if the Company in the fulfillment of its obligations under the Deposit Agreement, has furnished an opinion of U.S. counsel determining that Shares must be registered under the Securities Act or other laws in order to be distributed to Holders (and no such registration statement has been declared effective), the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable and the Depositary shall distribute the net proceeds of any such sale (after deduction of such (a) taxes and (b) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary) to Holders entitled thereto upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall hold and/or distribute any unsold balance of such property in accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement.
Upon timely receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes an elective distribution to be made available to Holders upon the terms described in the Deposit Agreement, the Company and the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution is lawful and reasonably practicable. If so, the Depositary shall, to the extent permitted by law and subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, distribute either (x) cash as in the case of a cash distribution or (y) additional ADSs representing such additional Shares as in the case of a distribution of Shares. In either case, the Depositary shall, subject to the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement, establish and ADS record date according to paragraph (16) and establish procedures to enable the Holder hereof to elect to receive the proposed distribution in cash or in additional ADSs. If a Holder elects to receive the distribution in cash, the dividend shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in cash. If the Holder hereof elects to receive the distribution in additional ADSs, the distribution shall be distributed as in the case of a distribution in Shares. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make available to the Holder hereof a method to receive the elective distribution in Shares (rather than ADSs). There can be no assurance that the Holder hereof will be given the opportunity to receive elective distributions on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares.
Upon timely receipt by the Depositary of a notice indicating that the Company wishes rights to subscribe for additional Shares to be made available to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary upon consultation with the Company, shall determine, whether it is lawful and reasonably practicable to make such rights available to the Holders. The Depositary shall make such rights available to any
Holders only if (i) the Company shall have requested that such rights be made
available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation
contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have
determined, in consultation with the Company, that such distribution of rights
is reasonably practicable. If such conditions are not satisfied, the Depositary
shall sell the rights as described below. In the event all conditions set forth
above are satisfied, the Depositary shall establish an ADS Record Date (upon the
terms described in the Deposit Agreement) and establish procedures (x) to
distribute rights to purchase additional ADSs (by means of warrants or
otherwise), (y) to enable the Holders to exercise the rights (upon payment of
the subscription price and of the applicable (a) fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and
(b) taxes), and (z) to deliver ADSs upon the valid exercise of such rights.
Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Depositary to make
available to the Holders a method to exercise rights to subscribe for Shares
(rather than ADSs). If (i) the Company does not request the Depositary to make
the rights available to Holders or if the Company requests that the rights not
be made available to Holders, (ii) the Depositary fails to receive the
documentation required by the Deposit Agreement or determines in consultation
with the Company, that it is not reasonably practicable to make the rights
available to Holders, or (iii) any rights made available are not exercised and
appear to be about to lapse, the Depositary shall determine whether it is lawful
and reasonably practicable to sell such rights, in a riskless principal
capacity, at such place and upon such terms (including public or private sale)
as it may deem proper. The Depositary shall, upon such sale, convert and
distribute proceeds of such sale (net of applicable fees and charges of, and
expenses incurred by, the Depositary and taxes) upon the terms hereof and of the
Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to make any rights available to
Holders or to arrange for the sale of the rights upon the terms described above,
the Depositary shall allow such rights to lapse. The Depositary shall not be
responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be practicable to make
such rights available to Holders in general or any Holders in particular, (ii)
any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale or
exercise, or (iii) the content of any materials forwarded to the ADR Holders on
behalf of the Company in connection with the rights distribution.
Notwithstanding anything herein or in the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, if registration (under the Securities Act or any other applicable law) of the rights or the securities to which any rights relate is required in order for the Company to offer such rights or such securities to Holders and to sell the securities represented by such rights, the Depositary will not distribute such rights to the Holders (i) unless and until a registration statement under the Securities Act (or other applicable law) covering such offering is in effect or (ii) unless the Company furnishes the Depositary opinion(s) of counsel for the Company in the United States and counsel to the Company in any other applicable country in which rights would be distributed in each case reasonably satisfactory to the Depositary, to the effect that the offering and sale of such securities to Holders and Beneficial Owners are exempt from, or do not require registration under, the provisions of the Securities Act or any other applicable laws. In the event that the Company, the Depositary or the Custodian shall be required to withhold and does withhold from any distribution of property
(including rights) an amount on account of taxes or other governmental charges, the amount distributed to the Holders of ADSs representing such Deposited Securities shall be reduced accordingly. In the event that the Depositary determines that any distribution in property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) is subject to any tax or other governmental charges which the Depositary is obligated to withhold, the Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of such property (including Shares and rights to subscribe therefor) in such amounts and in such manner, including by public or private sale, as the Depositary deems necessary and practicable to pay any such taxes or charges.
There can be no assurance that Holders generally, or any Holder in particular, will be given the opportunity to exercise rights on the same terms and conditions as the holders of Shares or to exercise such rights. Nothing herein or in the Deposit Agreement shall obligate the Company to file any registration statement in respect of any rights or Shares or other securities to be acquired upon the exercise of such rights.
Upon receipt of a notice indicating that the Company wishes property other than cash, Shares or rights to purchase additional Shares, to be made to Holders of ADSs, the Depositary shall determine whether such distribution to Holders is lawful and reasonably practicable. The Depositary shall not make such distribution unless (i) the Company shall have requested the Depositary to make such distribution to Holders, (ii) the Depositary shall have received the documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, and (iii) the Depositary shall have determined that such distribution is reasonably practicable. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, the Depositary shall distribute the property so received to the Holders of record, as of the ADS Record Date, in proportion to the number of ADSs held by them respectively and in such manner as the Depositary may deem practicable for accomplishing such distribution (i) upon receipt of payment or net of the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and (ii) net of any taxes withheld. The Depositary may dispose of all or a portion of the property so distributed and deposited, in such amounts and in such manner (including public or private sale) as the Depositary may deem practicable or necessary to satisfy any taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) or other governmental charges applicable to the distribution.
If the conditions above are not satisfied, the Depositary shall sell or cause such property to be sold in a public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and shall (i) cause the proceeds of such sale, if any, to be converted into Dollars and (ii) distribute the proceeds of such conversion received by the Depositary (net of (a) applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement (b) taxes) to the Holders upon the terms hereof and of the Deposit Agreement. If the Depositary is unable to sell such property, the Depositary may dispose of such property in any way it deems reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
(15) Redemption. Upon timely receipt of notice from the Company that it intends to exercise its right of redemption in respect of any of the Deposited Securities, and a satisfactory opinion of counsel, and upon determining that
such proposed redemption is practicable, the Depositary shall (to the extent practicable) mail to each Holder a notice setting forth the Company's intention to exercise the redemption rights and any other particulars set forth in the Company's notice to the Depositary. Upon receipt of confirmation that the redemption has taken place and that funds representing the redemption price have been received, the Depositary shall convert, transfer, distribute the proceeds (net of applicable (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and (b) taxes), retire ADSs and cancel ADRs upon delivery of such ADSs by Holders thereof upon the terms of the Deposit Agreement. If less than all outstanding Deposited Securities are redeemed, the ADSs to be retired will be selected by lot or on a pro rata basis, as may be determined by the Depositary. The redemption price per ADS shall be the dollar equivalent of per share amount received by the Depositary upon the redemption of the Deposited Securities represented by American Depositary Shares (subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and the applicable fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary, and taxes) multiplied by the number of Units or Deposited Securities represented by each ADS redeemed.
(16) Fixing of ADS Record Date. Whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of the fixing of a record date by the Company for the determination of holders of Deposited Securities entitled to receive any distribution (whether in cash, Shares, rights or other distribution), or whenever for any reason the Depositary causes a change in the number of Shares that are represented by each ADS, or whenever the Depositary shall receive notice of any meeting of, or solicitation of consents or proxies of, holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, or whenever the Depositary shall find it necessary or convenient in connection with the giving of any notice, solicitation of any consent or any other matter, the Depositary shall fix a record date ("ADS Record Date") for the determination of the Holders of Receipts who shall be entitled to receive such distribution, to give instructions for the exercise of voting rights at any such meeting, or to give or withhold such consent, or to receive such notice or solicitation or to otherwise take action, or to exercise the rights of Holders with respect to such changed number of Shares represented by each ADS. Subject to applicable law and the terms and conditions of this Receipt and the Deposit Agreement, only the Holders of Receipts at the close of business in New York on such ADS Record Date shall be entitled to receive such distributions, to give such instructions, to receive such notice or solicitation, or otherwise take action.
(17) Voting of Deposited Securities. As soon as practicable after receipt of notice of any meeting at which the holders of Shares are entitled to vote, or of solicitation of consents or proxies from holders of Shares or other Deposited Securities, the Depositary shall fix the ADS Record Date in respect of such meeting or solicitation of such consent or proxy. The Depositary shall (if requested in writing in a timely manner by the Company, at the Company's expense and provided no U.S. legal prohibitions exist) mail to Holders: (a) such notice of meeting or solicitation of consent or proxies, (b) a statement that the Holders as of the ADS Record Date will be entitled, subject to any applicable law, the Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association and the provisions of or governing Deposited Securities (which provisions, if any, shall
be summarized in pertinent part by the Company), to instruct the Depositary as to the exercise of the voting rights, if any, pertaining to the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by such Holder's ADS and (c) a brief statement as to the manner in which such instructions may be given. Upon the timely receipt of voting instructions from a Holder of ADSs on the ADS Record Date in the manner specified by the Depositary, the Depositary shall endeavor, insofar as practicable and permitted under applicable law the provisions of the Deposit Agreement, the provisions of the Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company and the provisions of the Deposited Securities, to vote or cause the Custodian to vote the Shares and/or other Deposited Securities represented by ADSs held by such Holder, either on a show of hands, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with instructions received from Holders of a majority of the American Depositary Shares for which instructions have been given to the Depositary, or on a poll, in which case the Custodian shall be instructed to vote in accordance with the instructions received from the Holders giving instructions.
The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association provide that a poll may be demanded at any general meeting by a holder or holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares entitled to vote on a resolution or (b) Shares with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000. As a result, unless specifically instructed by a Holder or Holders holding (a) at least 10% of the total Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) entitled vote on a resolution or (b) Shares (represented by such Holder(s)' American Depositary Shares) with an aggregate paid up capital of at least Rs.50,000, the Custodian, acting on behalf of the Holders upon the instructions of the Depositary, may not join in demanding a poll. The Company's Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association (as in effect on the date hereof), further provide that the Chairman of the Board of the Company shall cast the deciding vote, in the event of a tie.
Neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall, under any circumstances exercise any discretion as to voting and neither the Depositary nor the Custodian shall vote, attempt to exercise the right to vote, or in any way make use of, the Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADS except pursuant to and in accordance with such written instructions from Holders. If voting instructions are received by the Depositary from any Holder on or before the date established by the Depositary for the receipt of such instructions, which are signed but without further indication as to specific instructions, the Depositary will deem such Holder to have instructed the Depositary to vote in favor of the items set forth in such instructions. Shares or other Deposited Securities represented by ADS for which no specific voting instructions are received by the Depositary from the Holder shall not be voted. Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt, the Depositary shall not have any obligation to take any action with respect to any meeting, or solicitation or consents or proxies, of holders of Shares or other Deposited
Securities if the taking of such action would violate U.S. laws. The Company agrees to take any and all actions reasonably necessary to enable Holders and Beneficial Owners to exercise the voting rights accruing to the Shares or other Deposited Securities and to deliver to the Depositary an opinion of U.S. counsel addressing any actions requested to be taken if so requested by the Depositary. There can be no assurance that Holders generally or any Holder in particular will receive the notice described above with sufficient time to enable the Holder to return voting instructions to the Depositary in a timely manner.
(18) Changes Affecting Deposited Securities. Upon any change in nominal or par value, split-up, cancellation, consolidation or any other reclassification of Deposited Securities, or upon any recapitalization, reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale of assets affecting the Company or to which it is a party, any securities which shall be received by the Depositary or the Custodian in exchange for, or in conversion of or replacement of or otherwise in respect of, such Deposited Securities shall, to the extent permitted by law, be treated as new Deposited Securities under the Deposit Agreement, and the Receipts shall, subject to the provisions of the Deposit Agreement and applicable law, evidence ADSs representing the right to receive such additional securities. The Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall, if the Company shall so request, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement and receipt of satisfactory documentation contemplated by the Deposit Agreement, execute and deliver additional Receipts as in the case of a stock dividend on the Shares, or call for the surrender of outstanding Receipts to be exchanged for new Receipts, in either case, as well as in the event of newly deposited Shares, with necessary modifications to the form of Receipt contained in this Exhibit A to the Deposit Agreement, specifically describing such new Deposited Securities or corporate change. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that any security so received may not be lawfully distributed to some or all Holders, the Depositary may, with the Company's approval, and shall if the Company requests, subject to receipt of satisfactory legal documentation contemplated in the Deposit Agreement, sell such securities at public or private sale, at such place or places and upon such terms as it may deem proper and may allocate the net proceeds of such sales (net of (a) fees and charges of, and expenses incurred by, the Depositary as provided in the Deposit Agreement and (b) taxes) for the account of the Holders otherwise entitled to such securities and distribute the net proceeds so allocated to the extent practicable as in the case of a distribution received in cash pursuant to the Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not be responsible for (i) any failure to determine that it may be lawful or feasible to make such securities available to Holders in general or any Holder in particular, (ii) any foreign exchange exposure or loss incurred in connection with such sale, or (iii) any liability to the purchaser of such securities.
(19) Exoneration. Neither the Depositary nor the Company shall be
obligated to do or perform any act which is inconsistent with the provisions of
the Deposit Agreement or incur any liability to any Holder or Beneficial Owner
(i) if the Depositary or the Company shall be prevented or forbidden from, or
subjected to any civil or criminal penalty or restraint on account of, or
delayed in, doing or performing any act or thing required by the terms of the
Deposit Agreement and this Receipt, by reason of any provision of any present or
future law or regulation of the United States, the Republic of India or any
other country, or of any other governmental authority or regulatory authority or
stock exchange, or on account of the possible criminal or civil penalties or
restraint, or by reason of any provision, present or future of the Articles of
Association and Memorandum of Association of the Company or any provision of or
governing any Deposited Securities, or by reason of any act of God or war or
other circumstances beyond its control (including, without limitation,
nationalization, expropriation, currency restrictions, work stoppage, strikes,
civil unrest, revolutions, rebellions, explosions and computer failure), (ii) by
reason of any exercise of, or failure to exercise, any discretion provided for
in this Deposit Agreement or in the Articles of Association and Memorandum of
Association of the Company or provisions of or governing Deposited Securities,
(iii) for any action or inaction in reliance upon the advice of or information
from legal counsel, accountants, any person presenting Shares for deposit, any
Holder, any Beneficial Owner or authorized representative thereof, or any other
person believed by it in good faith to be competent to give such advice or
information, (iv) for any inability by a Holder or Beneficial Owner to benefit
from any distribution, offering, right or other benefit which is made available
to holders of Deposited Securities but is not, under the terms of this Deposit
Agreement, made available to Holders of ADS or (v) for any consequential or
punitive damages for any breach of the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The
Depositary, its controlling persons, its agents, any Custodian and the Company,
its controlling persons and its agents may rely and shall be protected in acting
upon any written notice, request or other document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties. No
disclaimer of liability under the Securities Act is intended by any provision of
the Deposit Agreement or this Receipt.
(20) Standard of Care. The Company and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Company and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and its agents assume no obligation and shall not be subject to any liability under this Deposit Agreement or the Receipts to Holders or Beneficial Owners or other persons, except that the Depositary and its agents agree to perform their obligations specifically set forth in this Deposit Agreement without negligence or bad faith. The Depositary and its agents shall not be liable for any failure to carry out any instructions to vote any of the Deposited Securities, or for the manner in which any vote is cast or the effect of any vote, provided that any such action or omission is in good faith and in accordance with the terms of this Deposit Agreement. The Depositary shall not incur any liability for any failure to determine that any distribution or action may be lawful or reasonably practicable, for the content of any information submitted to it by the Company for distribution to the Holders or for any inaccuracy of any translation thereof, for any investment risk associated with acquiring an interest in the Deposited Securities, for the validity or worth of the Deposited Securities or for any tax consequences that may result from the ownership of ADSs, Shares or Deposited Securities, for the credit-worthiness of any third party, for allowing any rights to lapse upon the terms of this Deposit Agreement or for the failure or timeliness of any notice from the Company.
(21) Resignation and Removal of the Depositary; Appointment of Successor
Depositary. The Depositary may at any time resign as Depositary under the
Deposit Agreement by written notice of resignation delivered to the Company,
such resignation to be effective on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after
delivery thereof to the Company, or (ii) upon the appointment by the Company of
a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as provided in the
Deposit Agreement. The Depositary may at any time be removed by the Company by
written notice of such removal which notice shall be effective on the earlier of
(i) the 90th day after delivery thereof to the Depositary, or (ii) upon the
appointment of a successor depositary and its acceptance of such appointment as
provided in the Deposit Agreement. In case at any time the Depositary acting
hereunder shall resign or be removed, the Company shall use its best efforts to
appoint a successor depositary, which shall be a bank or trust company having an
office in the Borough of Manhattan, the City of New York. Every successor
depositary shall execute and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an
instrument in writing accepting its appointment hereunder, and thereupon such
successor depositary, without any further act or deed (except as required by
applicable law), shall become fully vested with all the rights, powers, duties
and obligations of its predecessor. The predecessor depositary, upon payment of
all sums due it and on the written request of the Company, shall (i) execute and
deliver an instrument transferring to such successor all rights and powers of
such predecessor hereunder (other than as contemplated in the Deposit
Agreement), (ii) duly assign, transfer and deliver all right, title and interest
to the Deposited Securities to such successor, and (iii) deliver to such
successor a list of the Holders of all outstanding Receipts and such other
information relating to Receipts and Holders thereof as the successor may
reasonably request. Any such successor depositary shall promptly mail notice of
its appointment to such Holders. Any corporation into or with which the
Depositary may be merged or consolidated shall be the successor of the
Depositary without the execution or filing of any document or any further act.
(22) Amendment/Supplement. This Receipt and any provisions of the Deposit Agreement may at any time and from time to time be amended or supplemented by written agreement between the Company and the Depositary in any respect which they may deem necessary or desirable without the prior written consent of the Holders or Beneficial Owners. Any amendment or supplement which shall impose or increase any fees or charges (other than the charges in connection with foreign exchange control regulations, and taxes and other governmental charges, delivery and other such expenses), or which shall otherwise materially prejudice any substantial existing right of Holders or Beneficial Owners, shall not, however, become effective as to outstanding Receipts until the expiration of 30 days after notice of such amendment or supplement shall have been given to the Holders of outstanding Receipts. The parties hereto agree that any amendments or supplements which (i) are reasonably necessary (as agreed by the Company and the Depositary) in order for (a) the ADSs to be registered on Form F-6 under the Securities Act or (b) the ADSs to be traded solely in electronic book-entry form and (ii) do not in either such case impose or increase any fees or charges to be borne by Holders, shall be deemed not to materially prejudice any substantial rights of Holders or Beneficial Owners. Every Holder and Beneficial Owner at the
time any amendment or supplement so becomes effective shall be deemed, by continuing to hold such ADS(s), to consent and agree to such amendment or supplement and to be bound by the Deposit Agreement as amended or supplemented thereby. In no event shall any amendment or supplement impair the right of the Holder to surrender such Receipt and receive therefor the Deposited Securities represented thereby, except in order to comply with mandatory provisions of applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any governmental body should adopt new laws, rules or regulations which would require amendment or supplement of the Deposit Agreement to ensure compliance therewith, the Company and the Depositary may amend or supplement the Deposit Agreement and this Receipt at any time in accordance with such changed laws, rules or regulations. Such amendment or supplement to the Deposit Agreement in such circumstances may become effective before a notice of such amendment or supplement is given to Holders or within any other period of time as required for compliance with such laws, or rules or regulations.
(23) Termination. The Depositary shall, at any time at the written direction of the Company, terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed in such notice for such termination. If 90 days shall have expired after (i) the Depositary shall have delivered to the Company a written notice of its election to resign, or (ii) the Company shall have delivered to the Depositary a written notice of the removal of the Depositary, and in either case a successor depositary shall not have been appointed and accepted its appointment as provided in herein and in the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may terminate the Deposit Agreement by mailing notice of such termination to the Holders of all Receipts then outstanding at least 30 days prior to the date fixed for such termination. On and after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Holder will, upon surrender of such Holders' Receipt(s) at the Principal Office of the Depositary, upon the payment of the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of ADSs referred to in Article (2) hereof and in the Deposit Agreement and subject to the conditions and restrictions therein set forth, and upon payment of any applicable taxes or governmental charges, be entitled to Delivery, to him or upon his order, of the amount of Deposited Securities represented by such Receipt. If any Receipts shall remain outstanding after the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Registrar thereafter shall discontinue the registration of transfers of Receipts, and the Depositary shall suspend the distribution of dividends to the Holders thereof, and shall not give any further notices or perform any further acts under the Deposit Agreement, except that the Depositary shall continue to collect dividends and other distributions pertaining to Deposited Securities, shall sell rights as provided in the Deposit Agreement, and shall continue to deliver Deposited Securities, subject to the conditions and restrictions set forth in the Deposit Agreement, together with any dividends or other distributions received with respect thereto and the net proceeds of the sale of any rights or other property, in exchange for Receipts surrendered to the Depositary (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). At
any time after the expiration of six months from the date of termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may sell the Deposited Securities then held hereunder and may thereafter hold uninvested the net proceeds of any such sale, together with any other cash then held by it hereunder, in an unsegregated account, without liability for interest for the pro rata benefit of the Holders whose Receipts have not theretofore been surrendered. After making such sale, the Depositary shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement with respect to the Receipts and the Shares, the Deposited Securities and the ADSs, except to account for such net proceeds and other cash (after deducting, or charging, as the case may be, in each case the charges of the Depositary for the surrender of a Receipt, any expenses for the account of the Holder in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Deposit Agreement and any applicable taxes or governmental charges or assessments). Upon the termination of the Deposit Agreement, the Company shall be discharged from all obligations under the Deposit Agreement except as set forth in the Deposit Agreement.
(24) Compliance with U.S. Securities Laws. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Receipt or the Deposit Agreement to the contrary, the withdrawal or delivery of Deposited Securities will not be suspended by the Company or the Depositary except as would be permitted by Section I.A.(1) of the General Instructions to the Form F-6 Registration Statement, as amended from time to time, under the Securities Act of 1933.
(25) Certain Rights of the Depositary; Limitations. Subject to the further terms and provisions of this Article (25), the Depositary, its Affiliates and their agents, on their own behalf and on behalf of their clients, may own and deal in any class of securities of the Company and its Affiliates and in ADSs. The Depositary may issue ADSs against evidence of rights to receive Shares from the Company, any agent of the Company or any custodian, registrar, transfer agent, clearing agency or other entity involved in ownership or transaction records in respect of the Shares. Such evidence of rights shall consist of written blanket or specific guarantees of ownership of Shares. In its capacity as Depositary, the Depositary shall not lend Shares or ADSs; provided, however, that the Depositary may (i) issue ADSs prior to the receipt of Shares pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Deposit Agreement and (ii) deliver Shares prior to the receipt of ADSs for withdrawal of Deposited Securities pursuant to Section 2.7 of the Deposit Agreement, including ADSs which were issued under (i) above but for which Shares may not have been received (each such transaction a "Pre-Release Transaction"). The Depositary may receive ADSs in lieu of Shares under (i) above and receive Shares in lieu of ADSs under (ii) above. Each such Pre-Release Transaction will be (a) accompanied by or subject to a written agreement whereby the person or entity (the "Applicant") to whom ADSs or Shares are to be delivered (w) represents that at the time of the Pre-Release Transaction the Applicant or its customer owns the Shares or ADSs that are to be delivered by the Applicant under such Pre-Release Transaction, (x) agrees to indicate the Depositary as owner of such Shares or ADSs in its records and to hold such Shares or ADSs in trust for the Depositary until such Shares or ADSs are delivered to the Depositary or the Custodian, (y) unconditionally guarantees to deliver to the Depositary or the Custodian, as applicable, such Shares or ADSs and (z) agrees to any additional restrictions or requirements that the
Depositary deems appropriate, (b) at all times fully collateralized with cash, U.S. government securities or such other collateral as the Depositary deems appropriate, (c) terminable by the Depositary on not more than five (5) business days notice and (d) subject to such further indemnities and credit regulations as the Depositary deems appropriate. The Depositary will normally limit the number of ADSs and Shares involved in such Pre-Release Transactions at any one time to thirty percent (30%) of the ADSs outstanding (without giving effect to ADSs outstanding under (i) above), provided, however, that the Depositary reserves the right to change or disregard such limit from time to time as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may also set limits with respect to the number of ADSs and Shares involved in Pre-Release Transactions with any one person on a case by case basis as it deems appropriate. The Depositary may retain for its own account any compensation received by it in conjunction with the foregoing. Collateral provided pursuant to (b) above, but not earnings thereon, shall be held for the benefit of the Holders (other than the Applicant).
(ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER SIGNATURE LINES)
FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned Holder hereby sell(s), assign(s) and transfer(s) unto ______________________________ whose taxpayer identification number is _______________________ and whose address including postal zip code is ________________, the within Receipt and all rights thereunder, hereby irrevocably constituting and appointing ________________________ attorney-in-fact to transfer said Receipt on the books of the Depositary with full power of substitution in the premises.
Dated:
Title:
NOTICE: The signature of the Holder to this
assignment must correspond with the name as
written upon the face of the within
instrument in every particular, without
alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.
If the endorsement be executed by an
attorney, executor, administrator, trustee
or guardian, the person executing the
endorsement must give his/her full title in
such capacity and proper evidence of
authority to act in such capacity, if not on
file with the Depositary, must be forwarded
with this Receipt.
All endorsements or assignments of Receipts
must be guaranteed by a member of a
Medallion Signature Program approved by the
Securities Transfer Association, Inc.
SIGNATURE GUARANTEED
Legends
[The Receipts issued in respect of Partial Entitlement American Depositary Shares shall bear the following legend on the face of the Receipt: "This Receipt evidences American Depositary Shares representing partial entitlement' equity shares, par value Rs.10 per share ("Shares"), of Satyam Infoway Limited and as such do not entitle the holders thereof to the same per-share entitlement as other Shares (which are "full entitlement" Shares) issued and outstanding at such time. The American Depositary Shares represented by this Receipt shall entitle holders to distributions and entitlements identical to other American Depositary Shares when the Shares represented by such American Depositary Shares become "full entitlement" Shares.]
[This certificate represents "Restricted ADSs" issued upon the terms of Section 2.12 of the Deposit Agreement (as hereinafter defined). This certificate and the Restricted ADSs represented hereby may not be sold or otherwise transferred without an effective registration statement for such securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless an exemption from registration under said act is available for such sale or transfer.
EXHIBIT B
FEE SCHEDULE
DEPOSITARY FEES AND RELATED CHARGES
All capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Deposit Agreement.
I. Depositary Fees
The Company, the Holders, the Beneficial Owners and the persons depositing Shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation agree to pay the following fees of the Depositary:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Service Rate By Whom Paid ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Issuance of ADSs upon deposit Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person for whom deposits are made of Shares (excluding fraction thereof) issued. or party receiving ADSs. issuances contemplated by paragraph (4) below). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Delivery of Deposited Up to $5.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person surrendering ADSs or making Securities, property and fraction thereof) surrendered. withdrawal. cash against surrender of ADSs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Distribution of cash Up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person to whom distribution is made. dividends or other cash fraction thereof) held. distributions (i.e., sale of rights and other entitlements). ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Distribution ADSs pursuant to Up to $2.00 per 100 ADSs (or Person to whom distribution is made. (i) stock dividends or other fraction thereof) issued. free distributions, or (ii) exercise of rights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
II. Charges
Holders, Beneficial Owners, persons depositing Shares for deposit and persons surrendering ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing Deposited Securities shall be responsible for the following charges:
(i) taxes (including applicable interest and penalties) and other governmental charges;
(ii) such registration fees as may from time to time be in effect for the registration of Shares or other Deposited Securities on the share register and applicable to transfers of Shares or other Deposited Securities to or from the name of the Custodian, the Depositary or any nominees upon the making of deposits and withdrawals, respectively;
(iii) such cable, telex and facsimile transmission and delivery expenses as are expressly provided in the Deposit Agreement to be at the expense of the person depositing Shares or Holders and Beneficial Owners of ADSs;
(iv) the expenses and charges incurred by the Depositary in the conversion of foreign currency;
(v) such fees and expenses as are incurred by the Depositary in connection with compliance with exchange control regulations and other regulatory requirements applicable to Shares, Deposited Securities, ADSs and ADRs; and
(vi) the fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary in connection with the delivery of Deposited Securities.
Exhibit (b)
November 2, 2007
Sify Limited
2nd Floor
TIDEL Park
4 Canal Bank Road
Taramani
Chennai 600 113
India
Sify Limited - Direct Registration System for ADSs evidenced by Equity Shares
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000, as further amended by Amendment No. 2 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002, by and among Sify Limited (the "Company"), Citibank, N.A., as Depositary (the "Depositary"), and all Holders and Beneficial Owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts ("ADRs") evidencing American Depositary Shares ("ADSs") issued thereunder, each ADS representing one (1) Equity Share (the "Shares") of the Company. Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall have the meaning assigned thereto in the Deposit Agreement.
The purpose of this letter agreement is to supplement the Deposit Agreement to enable the establishment by the Depositary of a "direct registration system" (the "DR System") for ADSs and the issuance by the Depositary of "uncertificated ADSs" as part of the DR System. In order to enable such issuance of "uncertificated ADSs", the Company and the Depositary agree as follows:
1. Notwithstanding any provision of the Deposit Agreement, the Depositary may at any time and from time to time, issue ADSs that are not evidenced by ADRs (such ADSs, the "Uncertificated ADSs", and the ADSs evidenced by ADRs, the "Certificated ADSs");
2. Uncertificated ADSs shall not be represented by any instrument(s) but shall be evidenced only by the registration of "uncertificated securities" on the books and records of the Depositary maintained for such purpose. Any reference to Holders of ADR(s) or ADS(s) in the Deposit Agreement shall, in the context of the Uncertificated ADSs, refer to the person(s) in whose name the Uncertificated ADSs are registered on the books of the Depositary maintained for such purpose:
3. Holders of Uncertificated ADSs that are not subject to any registered pledges, liens, restrictions or adverse claims, of which the Depositary has written notice at such time, shall at all times have the right to exchange the Uncertificated ADSs (or any portion thereof) for Certificated ADSs of the same type and class, subject in each case to applicable laws and any rules the Depositary may establish in respect of the Uncertificated ADSs;
4. Holders of Certificated ADSs shall, so long as the Depositary
maintains the DR System for the ADSs, have the right to exchange the
Certificated ADSs (or any portion thereof) for Uncertificated ADSs upon (i) the
due surrender of the Certificated ADSs to the Depositary for such purpose, and
(ii) the presentation of a written request to such effect to the Depositary,
subject in each case to (a) all liens and restrictions noted on the ADR
evidencing the Certificated ADS(s) and all adverse claims of which the
Depositary then has written notice, (b) the terms of the Deposit Agreement (as
supplemented by this letter agreement) and the rules that the Depositary may
establish from time to time for such purposes thereunder; and (c) applicable
law.
5. Uncertificated ADSs shall in all material respects be identical
to Certificated ADSs of the same type and class, except that (i) no ADR(s) shall
be, nor shall need to be, issued to evidence Uncertificated ADSs, (ii)
Uncertificated ADSs shall, subject to the terms of the Deposit Agreement (as
supplemented by this letter agreement), be transferable upon the same terms and
conditions as uncertificated securities under New York law, (iii) each Holder's
ownership of Uncertificated ADSs shall be recorded on the books and records of
the Depositary maintained for such purpose and evidence of such Holder's
ownership shall be reflected in periodic statements provided by the Depositary
to each such Holder in accordance with applicable law, (iv) the Depositary may
from time to time, upon notice to the Holders of Uncertificated ADSs affected
thereby, establish rules and amend or supplement existing rules, as may be
deemed reasonably necessary to maintain the DR System and for the issuance of
Uncertificated ADSs on behalf of Holders, provided that such rules do not
conflict with the terms of the Deposit Agreement (as supplemented by this letter
agreement) and applicable law, (v) the Holder of Uncertificated ADSs shall not
be entitled to any benefits under the Deposit Agreement (as supplemented by this
letter agreement) and such Holder's Uncertificated ADSs shall not be valid or
enforceable for any purpose against the Depositary or the Company unless such
Holder is registered on the books and records of the Depositary maintained for
such purpose, (vi) the Depositary may, in connection with any deposit of Shares
resulting in the issuance of Uncertificated ADSs and with any transfer, pledge,
release and cancellation of Uncertificated ADSs, require the prior receipt of
such documentation as the Depositary may reasonably request, and (vii) upon
termination of the Deposit Agreement (as supplemented by this letter agreement),
the Depositary shall not require Holders of Uncertificated ADSs to affirmatively
instruct the Depositary before remitting proceeds from the sale of the Deposited
Securities represented by such Holders' Uncertificated ADSs under the terms of
Section 6.2 of the Deposit Agreement;
6. When issuing ADSs under the terms of the Deposit Agreement, including, without limitation, issuances pursuant to [Sections 4.3 and 4.4] thereof, the Depositary may in its discretion determine to issue Uncertificated ADSs rather than Certificated ADSs, unless otherwise specifically instructed in writing by the applicable Holder to issue Certificated ADSs;
7. Holders of Uncertificated ADSs may request the sale of ADSs through the Depositary, subject to the terms and conditions generally applicable to the sale of ADSs through the Depositary (which may be changed by the Depositary from time-to-time);
8. All provisions and conditions of the Deposit Agreement shall apply to Uncertificated ADSs to the same extent as to Certificated ADSs, except as contemplated herein. The Depositary is authorized and directed to take any and all actions, and establish any and all procedures, deemed reasonably
necessary to give effect to the terms hereof. Any references in the Deposit Agreement or any ADR(s) to the terms "American Depositary Share(s)" or "ADS(s)" shall, unless the context otherwise requires, include Certificated ADS(s) and Uncertificated ADS(s), individually or collectively, as the context may require;
9. Except as set forth herein and except as required by applicable law, the Uncertificated ADSs shall be treated as ADSs issued and outstanding under the terms of the Deposit Agreement (as supplemented by this letter agreement). In the event that, in determining the rights and obligations of parties to the Deposit Agreement (as supplemented by this letter agreement) with respect to any Uncertificated ADSs, any conflict arises between (a) the terms of the Deposit Agreement and (b) the terms hereof, the terms and conditions set forth herein shall be controlling and shall govern the rights and obligations of the parties to the Deposit Agreement pertaining to the Uncertificated ADSs; and
10. This letter agreement shall be interpreted under, and all the rights and obligations hereunder shall be governed by, the laws of the State of New York without regard to the principles of choice of law thereof.
In addition, the Company and the Depositary agree that (i) the terms hereof supplement the Deposit Agreement, and do not prejudice any substantial existing rights of Holders of ADSs and, as a result, notice may but does not need to be given of the terms hereof to Holders of ADSs, and (ii) the Company and the Depositary shall make reference to the terms hereof in, or attach an executed copy hereof to, the next Registration Statement on Form F-6 filing made with the Securities and Exchange Commission in respect of the ADSs.
CITIBANK, N.A.,
As Depositary
By: /s/ Ana-Maria Carasso ---------------------------- Name: Ana-Maria Carasso Title: Vice President Date: November 2, 2007 |
Acknowledged and Agreed:
SIFY LIMITED
SIFY LIMITED INCUMBENCY CERTIFICATE
The undersigned hereby certifies that (i) he is the Company Secretary of Sify Limited (the "Company") and as such s/he is authorized to execute this Incumbency Certificate, (ii) M P Vijay Kumar, Chief Financial Officer ("Authorized Officer") has been elected or appointed. is qualified and is now acting as an officer of the Company in the capacity indicated below, and that the signature set forth opposite the Authorized Officer's name is the Authorized Officer's true and genuine signature, and (iii) the Authorized Officer has all requisite power and authority to execute and deliver the Instruction Letter, dated as of November 2, 2007 (the "Letter"), between the Company and Citibank, N.A., in the name and on behalf of the Company, that the Authorized Officer has duly executed and delivered the Letter on behalf of the Company, and that his or her signature on such Letter is genuine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name Title Phone Signature -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- M P Vijay Kumar Chief Financial Officer 91 44 2254 0770 /s/ M P Vijay Kumar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the corporate seal of the Company this 12 day of November, 2007.
SIFY LIMITED
By: /s/ V Ramasubramanian --------------------- Name: V Ramasubramanian Title: Company Secretary |
Exhibit (d)
[PBWT LETTERHEAD]
May 11, 2009
Citibank, N.A. - ADR Department
388 Greenwich Street
New York, New York 10013
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We refer to the Registration Statement on Form F-6 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") by the legal entity created by the Deposit Agreement, dated as of October 18, 1999, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2000, as further amended by Amendment No. 2 to Deposit Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2002, as supplemented by the Supplemental Letter Agreement, dated as of November 2, 2007 (the Deposit Agreement as so amended and supplemented, the "Deposit Agreement"), as proposed to be further amended by Amendment No. 3 to Deposit Agreement (the "Amendment" and the Deposit Agreement as so amended by the Amendment the "Amended Deposit Agreement"), by and among Citibank, N.A., as Depositary, Sify Technologies Limited, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Republic of India (the "Company"), and the Holders and Beneficial Owners (each as defined in the Amended Deposit Agreement and hereinafter used as so defined) from time to time of ADSs issued thereunder, for the purpose of registering under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), 25,000,000 American Depositary Shares (the "ADSs") to be issued under the terms of the Amended Deposit Agreement. Each ADS will represent, subject to the terms and conditions of the Amended Deposit Agreement and, if applicable, the American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") representing such ADS, the right to receive one (1) equity share of the Company (the "Shares"). A copy of the signed Deposit Agreement and a draft copy of the Amendment have been filed as Exhibits to the Registration Statement.
Nothing contained herein or in any document referred to herein is intended by this firm to be used, and the addressees hereof cannot use anything contained herein or in any document referred to herein, as "tax advice" (within the meaning given to such term by the United States Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in IRS Circular 230 and any related interpretative advice issued by the IRS in respect of IRS Circular 230 prior to the date hereof, and hereinafter used within such meaning and interpretative advice). Without admitting that anything contained herein or in any document referred to herein constitutes "tax advice" for any purpose, notice is hereby given that, to the extent anything contained herein or in any document referred to herein constitutes, or is or may be interpreted by any court, by the IRS or by any other administrative body to constitute, "tax advice," such "tax advice" is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to any party any transaction or matter addressed herein.
Assuming that the Deposit Agreement has been duly executed and delivered, and the Shares have been legally issued, and that, at the time of their issuance, the Registration Statement will have been declared effective by the SEC and the Amendment will have been duly executed and delivered, we are of the opinion that the ADSs, when issued in accordance with the terms of the Amended Deposit Agreement and the Registration Statement, will be legally issued and will entitle the Holders to the rights specified in the Amended Deposit Agreement and, if applicable, the ADR(s) evidencing the ADS(s).
This opinion is limited to the laws of the State of New York and the Federal laws of the United States. Without admitting that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act, we hereby consent to the use of this opinion as Exhibit (d) to the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours,
PATTERSON BELKNAP WEBB & TYLER LLP
By: /s/ Herman H. Raspe ------------------------------ A Member of the Firm |