| Companies  (Appointment and Qualifications of Secretary) Amendment Rules, 2009 | 
| The  Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 642 and  Section 383A of the Companies Act, 1956 has amended the COMPANIES (APPOINTMENT  AND QUALIFICATIONS OF SECRETARY) RULES, 1988 vide Notification No. G.S.R. 11  (E), dated 5-1-2009. | 
| The  amendment seeks to enhance the paid-up capital requirements for companies  compulsorily required to appoint a whole time secretary to five crore  rupees”. | 
| Under  the amended rules a company having a paid up share capital of two crore rupees  or more but less than five crore rupees may appoint any individual who is a  member of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India as a whole-time  secretary to perform the duties of a secretary under the Companies Act, 1956.  | 
| Further,  where a company has appointed a whole-time company secretary, possessing the  qualification of membership of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India,  such a company is not required to obtain a certificate from a secretary in  whole-time practice under rule 3 of the Companies (Compliance Certificate)  Rules, 2001. | 
| The  said amendment shall come into force from 15th March, 2009. | 
| A  copy of the notification may be downloaded at the link: | 
| http://www.mca.gov.in/MinistryWebsite/dca/notification/pdf/GSR11(E)_20jan2009.pdf |