MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

29.11.2012

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

RAJSHANTI METALS PRIVATE LIMITED

 

 

Registered Office :

B-42, Shankar Tekri, GIDC Estates, Jamnagar-361004, Gujarat

 

 

Country :

India

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.03.2012

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

18.11.1991

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

04-016616

 

 

Capital Investment / Paid-up Capital :

Rs. 3.910 Millions

 

 

CIN No.:

[Company Identification No.]

U74999GJ1991PTC016616

 

 

TAN No.:

[Tax Deduction & Collection Account No.]

RKTR00954C

 

 

PAN No.:

[Permanent Account No.]

AABCR0211Q

 

 

Legal Form :

Private Limited Liability Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturer of Extruded And Drawn Brass Rods, Flat Bars.

 

 

No. of Employees :

75 (Approximately)

 

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

B (34)

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

26-40

B

Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

Small

 

Maximum Credit Limit :

USD 220000

 

 

Status :

Moderate

 

 

Payment Behaviour :

Slow But Correct

 

 

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

Comments :

Subject is an established company having moderate track. There appears some dip in the sales of the company during 2012. Profitability has dipped momentously.

 

However, trade relations are reported as fair. Business is active. Payments terms are slow but correct.

 

The company can be considered for business dealings with some caution.

 

NOTES :

Any query related to this report can be made on e-mail : infodept@mirainform.com while quoting report number, name and date.

 

 

INDIAN ECONOMIC OVERVIEW

 

India is developing into an open-market economy, yet traces of its past autarkic policies remain. Economic liberalization, including industrial deregulation, privatization of state-owned enterprises, and reduced controls on foreign trade and investment, began in the early 1990s and has served to accelerate the country’s growth, which has averaged more than 7% per year since 1997. India’s diverse economy encompasses traditional village farming, modern agriculture, handicrafts, a wide range of modern industries, and a multitude of services. Slightly more than half of the work force is in agriculture, but services are the major source of economic growth, accounting for more than half of India’s output, with only one-third of its labor force. India has capitalized on its large educated English-speaking population to become a major exporter of information technology services and software workers. In 2010, the Indian economy rebounded robustly from the global financial crisis – in large part because of strong domestic demand – and growth exceeded 8% year-on-year in real terms. However, India’s economic growth in 2011 slowed because of persistently high inflation and interest rates and little progress on economic reforms. High international crude prices have exacerbated the government’s fuel subsidy expenditures contributing to a higher fiscal deficit, and a worsening current account deficit. Little economic reform took place in 2011 largely due to corruption scandals that have slowed legislative work. India’s medium-term growth outlook is positive due to a young population and corresponding low dependency ratio, healthy savings and investment rates, and increasing integration into the global economy. India has many long-term challenges that it has not yet fully addressed, including widespread poverty, inadequate physical and social infrastructure, limited non-agricultural employment opportunities, scarce access to quality basic and higher education, and accommodating rural-to-urban migration.

Source : CIA

 

 

EXTERNAL AGENCY RATING

 

Rating Agency Name

CARE

Rating

A4 – (Short Term Bank Facilities)

Rating Explanation

Minimal degree of safety and very high credit risk.

Date

02.04.2012

 

 

Rating Agency Name

CARE

Rating

BB (Long Term Bank Facilities)

Rating Explanation

Moderate risk of default.

Date

02.04.2012

 

 

RBI DEFAULTERS’ LIST STATUS

 

Subject’s name is not enlisted as a defaulter in the publicly available RBI Defaulters’ list.

 

 

EPF (Employee Provident Fund) DEFAULTERS’ LIST STATUS

 

Subject’s name is not enlisted as a defaulter in the publicly available EPF (Employee Provident Fund) Defaulters’ list as of 31-03-2012.

 

 

INFORMATION PARTED BY

 

Name :

Mr. Raj

Designation :

Accountant

Contact No.:

91-288-2560614

Date :

28.11.2012

 

 

LOCATIONS

 

Registered Office/ Factory :

B-42, Shankar Tekri, Gidc Estates, Jamnagar-361004, Gujarat, India

Tel. No.:

91-288-2560614

Mobile No.:

91-9824031712 (Mr. Naresh Shah)

Fax No.:

91-288-2560665

E-Mail :

mjpassociates@gmail.com

rajshanti@sancharnet.in

rajshantimetals@gmail.com

info@rajshanti.com

Website :

www.rajshanti.com

Location :

owned

 

 

DIRECTORS

 

AS ON 17.09.2011

 

Name :

Mr. Shantilal Motichand Haria

Designation :

Director

Address :

Raj, 5, Oswal Colony, Sumer Club Road, Jamnagar 3601 005, Gujarat, India

Date of Appointment :

18.11.1991

DIN No.:

00347391

 

 

Name :

Mr. Rajesh S Haria

Designation :

Director

Address :

Raj, 5, Oswal Colony, Sumer Club Road, Jamnagar 3601 005, Gujarat, India

Date of Appointment :

15.06.2007

DIN No.:

00347487

 

 

KEY EXECUTIVES

 

Name :

Mr. Raj

Designation :

Accountant

 

 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS / SHAREHOLDING PATTERN

 

AS ON 17.09.2011

 

Names of Shareholders

No. of Shares

Shantilal Motichand Haria

225740

Rajesh Shantilal Haria

80000

Kanchanben Shantilal Haria

64910

Shantilal Motichand Haria (Huf)

10

Naynaben Shantilal Haria

10

Shilpaben Ketanbhai Gosrani

10

Bhavini Rajeshbhai Haria

20250

Bansi Ketanbhai Gosrani

10

Naresh Jivanlal Shah

10

Ashaben Nareshbhai Shah

10

Ishani Rajesh Haria

10

Anandsons Overseas Trading Private Limited, India

10

Chandrakant Chunilal Anandpara

10

Chunilal Dharamsi Anandpara

10

TOTAL

391000

 

AS ON 17.09.2011

 

Equity Shares Break Up

Percentage of Holding

Directors or relatives of Directors

99.98

Other top fifty shareholders

0.02

TOTAL

100.00

 

 

BUSINESS DETAILS

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturer of Extruded And Drawn Brass Rods, Flat Bars.

 

 

Exports :

 

Countries :

·         Sri Lanka

 

 

Imports :

 

Products :

·         Raw Materials

Countries :

·         Europe

·         UK

·         USA

 

 

Terms :

 

Selling :

Cash, Credit

 

 

Purchasing :

Cash, Credit

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Customers :

·         Wholesales

·         Retailers

 

 

No. of Employees :

75 (Approximately)

 

 

Bankers :

  • State Bank of India, Digvijay Plot Branch, Jamnagar-361004, Gujarat, India
  • State Bank of Saurashtra, Digvijay Plot Branch
  • HDFC bank
  • Canara Bank
  • Corporation Bank
  • ICICI Bank Limited
  • Punjab National Bank

 

 

Facilities :

Secured Loan

 

Rs. In Millions

31.03.2012

Rs. In Millions

31.03.2011

Long Term Borrowings

 

 

From Financial Institution

 

 

Life Insurance Corporation of India

1.893

1.712

From Scheduled Bank

 

 

State Bank of India  Term Loan of W E C A/c

0.771

4.114

Short Term Borrowing

 

 

State Bank of India – SLC

10.124

3.218

State Bank of India – ECB

13.342

13.382

State Bank of India – ODBD

0.000

20.124

State Bank of India – CC

86.563

59.825

 

 

 

TOTAL

112.693

102.375

 

 

 

Unsecured Loan

 

Rs. In Millions

31.03.2012

Rs. In Millions

31.03.2011

Long Term Borrowings

 

 

From Directors and Relatives of Directors

 

 

From Directors

13.818

15.702

From Shareholders

14.018

13.543

 

 

 

TOTAL

27.836

29.245

 

 

 

Banking Relations :

--

 

 

Auditors :

 

Name :

D S Varia And CO

Chartered Accountant

Address :

CA House, 3rd Floor, Behind Dr. Takwani’s Hospital, Walkeshwari NAgari, Jamnagar-361008, Gujarat, India

Mobile No.:

91-942727798

E-Mail :

dsvaria@yahoo.co.in

PAN No.:

AAHPV6079R

 

 

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

AS ON 31.03.2012

 

Authorised Capital :

 

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

 

 

 

 

500000

Equity Shares

Rs.10/- each

Rs. 5.000 Millions

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issued, Subscribed & Paid-up Capital :

 

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

 

 

 

 

391000

Equity Shares

Rs.10/- each

Rs. 3.910 Millions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

FINANCIAL DATA

[all figures are in Rupees Millions]

 

ABRIDGED BALANCE SHEET

 

SOURCES OF FUNDS

 

31.03.2012

31.03.2011

31.03.2010

SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Share Capital

3.910

3.910

3.910

2] Share Application Money

0.000

0.000

0.000

3] Reserves & Surplus

52.642

50.699

35.829

4] (Accumulated Losses)

0.000

0.000

0.000

NETWORTH

56.552

54.609

39.739

LOAN FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Secured Loans

112.693

102.375

100.365

2] Unsecured Loans

27.836

29.245

26.462

TOTAL BORROWING

140.529

131.620

126.827

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

197.081

186.229

166.566

 

 

 

 

APPLICATION OF FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED ASSETS [Net Block]

19.187

22.216

25.396

Capital work-in-progress

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT

2.050

1.958

0.549

DEFERREX TAX ASSETS

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS & ADVANCES

 

 

 

 

Inventories

115.813

91.802

54.510

 

Sundry Debtors

51.492

42.525

46.964

 

Cash & Bank Balances

4.194

2.603

0.732

 

Other Current Assets

2.366

2.274

0.000

 

Loans & Advances

35.299

31.832

42.198

Total Current Assets

209.164

171.036

144.404

Less : CURRENT LIABILITIES & PROVISIONS

 

 

 

 

Sundry Creditors

30.393

7.044

0.287

 

Other Current Liabilities

1.465

0.789

1.284

 

Provisions

1.462

1.148

2.212

Total Current Liabilities

33.320

8.981

3.783

Net Current Assets

175.844

162.055

140.621

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

197.081

186.229

166.566

 

PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT

 

 

PARTICULARS

31.03.2012

31.03.2011

31.03.2010

 

SALES

 

 

 

 

 

Income

403.238

425.916

410.602

 

 

Other Income

NA

5.791

3.597

 

 

TOTAL                                     (A)

NA

431.707

414.199

 

 

 

 

 

Less

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Other Expenses

NA

395.014

364.531

 

 

Administrative Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

TOTAL                                     (B)

NA

395.014

364.531

 

 

 

 

 

Less

PROFIT / (LOSS) BEFORE INTEREST, TAX, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTISATION (A-B)      (C)

21.614

36.693

49.668

 

 

 

 

 

Less

FINANCIAL EXPENSES                         (D)

16.130

17.148

16.226

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROFIT / (LOSS) BEFORE TAX, DEPRECIATION AND AMORTISATION (C-D)                               (E)

5.484

19.545

33.442

 

 

 

 

 

Less/ Add

DEPRECIATION/ AMORTISATION                     (F)

3.142

3.676

4.101

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROFIT / (LOSS) BEFORE TAX (E-F)                 (G)

2.342

15.869

29.341

 

 

 

 

 

Less

TAX                                                                  (H)

0.400

1.000

1.621

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROFIT / (LOSS) AFTER TAX (G-H)                  (I)

1.942

14.869

27.720

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS IN FOREIGN CURRENCY

 

 

 

 

 

Export Earnings

4.321

2.335

4.649

 

TOTAL EARNINGS

4.321

2.335

4.649

 

 

 

 

 

 

IMPORTS

 

 

 

 

 

Raw Materials

NA

NA

276.492

 

TOTAL IMPORTS

NA

NA

276.492

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Per Share (Rs.)

4.97

38.03

70.90

 

 

Expected Sales (2012-2013) : Rs. 450.000 Millions

 

The above information has been parted by Mr. Raj.

 

 

 

 

KEY RATIOS

 

PARTICULARS

 

 

31.03.2012

31.03.2011

31.03.2010

PAT / Total Income

(%)

NA

3.44

6.69

 

 

 

 

 

Net Profit Margin

(PBT/Sales)

(%)

0.58

3.73

70.52

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Total Assets

(PBT/Total Assets}

(%)

1.03

8.21

17.27

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Investment (ROI)

(PBT/Networth)

 

0.04

0.29

0.73

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Equity Ratio

(Total Liability/Networth)

 

3.07

2.57

3.28

 

 

 

 

 

Current Ratio

(Current Asset/Current Liability)

 

6.28

19.04

38.17

 

 

LOCAL AGENCY FURTHER INFORMATION

 

Sr. No.

Check List by Info Agents

Available in Report (Yes / No)

1]

Year of Establishment

Yes

2]

Locality of the firm

Yes

3]

Constitutions of the firm

Yes

4]

Premises details

No

5]

Type of Business

Yes

6]

Line of Business

Yes

7]

Promoter's background

Yes

8]

No. of employees

Yes

9]

Name of person contacted

Yes

10]

Designation of contact person

Yes

11]

Turnover of firm for last three years

Yes

12]

Profitability for last three years

Yes

13]

Reasons for variation <> 20%

-----

14]

Estimation for coming financial year

Yes

15]

Capital in the business

Yes

16]

Details of sister concerns

No

17]

Major suppliers

No

18]

Major customers

No

19]

Payments terms

Yes

20]

Export / Import details (if applicable)

Yes

21]

Market information

-----

22]

Litigations that the firm / promoter involved in

-----

23]

Banking Details

Yes

24]

Banking facility details

Yes

25]

Conduct of the banking account

-----

26]

Buyer visit details

-----

27]

Financials, if provided

Yes

28]

Incorporation details, if applicable

Yes

29]

Last accounts filed at ROC

Yes

30]

Major Shareholders, if available

Yes

31]

Date of Birth of Proprietor/Partner/Director, if available

No

32]

PAN of Proprietor/Partner/Director, if available

No

33]

Voter ID No of Proprietor/Partner/Director, if available

No

34]

External Agency Rating, if available

Yes

 

 

SUNDRY CREDITORS DETAILS

(Rs. In Millions)

Particulars

 

31.03.2012

31.03.2011

31.03.2010

 

 

 

 

Sundry Creditors

29.053

5.801

0.287

Advance from Customers

1.340

1.243

0.000

TOTAL

30.393

7.044

0.287

 

 

OPERATION DURING THE YEAR

 

The total income of the Company has been reported to Rs. 403.238 Millions as compared to the previous year of Rs. 425.916 Millions (decrease by 5.62%) but the profit of the company has been declined to Rs. 2.342 Millions before tax as compared to the profit of the previous year of Rs. 15.869 Millions, which due to all time high to the valuation of US$ globally effected in brass industries profit of the previous year was also affected due to disclosure of income Rs. 5.300 Millions during income tax survey proceedings. Besides, the Profit has been reduced comparatively. The management has put their full efforts to improve the financial results in the coming year.

 

 

FORM 8

 

Corporate identity number of the company

U74999GJ1991PTC016616

Name of the company

RAJSHANTI METALS PRIVATE LIMITED

Address of the registered office or of the principal place of  business in India of the company

B-42, Shankar Tekri, Gidc Estates, Jamnagar-361004, Gujarat, India

This form is for

Modification of charge

Charge identification number of the charge to be modified

90109028

Type of charge

·         Immovable property

·         Book debts

·         Others

Particular of charge holder

State Bank of India, Digvijay Plot Branch, Jamnagar-361004, Gujarat, India

Nature of instrument creating charge

Instrument Modifying the Charge:

 

No Due Certificate

Date of instrument Creating the charge

19.04.2012

Amount secured by the charge

Rs. 110.800 Millions

Brief of the principal terms an conditions and extent and operation of the charge

Rate of interest

For Working Capital: Interest at 5.25% above base rate (Base rate at present is 7.50% w.e.f. 01/07/2010 i.e. 12.75 % P.A. (Against card rate for SB7 rating is 6.50% above base rate i.e. 14%)

 

Terms of repayment

Working Capital payable on Demand

 

Margin

Raw Material, Semi finished Goods, Finished Goods, components, spares : 25 %

Receivables : 50 %

Letter of Credit, Bank Guarantee : 25 %

 

Extent and operation of the charge

The charge operates to extend over properties of the company as of this form in favour of bank to secure repayment of entire credit facilities of Rs. 110.800 Millions in addition to all interests, costs and expenditure.

Short particulars of the property charged (Including location of the property)

Hypothecation of All Kinds of Stocks, Receivables And Entire Current Assets Of The Company.

 

Shed No. B-41 of Survey No. 1487/2, Situated At GIDC Industrial Estate, Shankar Tekri, Jamnagar.

 

Shed/Plot No. B-42, Revenue Survey No. 1487/2, Situated At GIDC Industrial Estate, Shankar Tekri, Jamnagar.

 

Shed/Plot No. B-34, Revenue Survey No. 1487, of Small Scale Industrial Co-Operative Society Limited GIDC Industrial Estate, Shankar Tekri, Jamnagar.

Date of instrument modifying the charge

23.09.2010

Particulars of the present modification

The Company has repaid Term Loan.  Now, Total Credit facilities Limit reduced from Rs. 117.800 Millions to Rs. 110.800 Millions.

 

 

FIXED ASSETS

 

·         Factory Shed And Building

·         Plant And Machinery

·         Laboratory-Office-Factory Equipments

·         Computer

·         Furniture And Fixture

·         Tools And Electric Discharge Machines

·         Dies

·         Vehicles 

 

 

 

 


CMT REPORT (Corruption, Money Laundering & Terrorism]

 

The Public Notice information has been collected from various sources including but not limited to: The Courts, India Prisons Service, Interpol, etc.

 

1]         INFORMATION ON DESIGNATED PARTY

No exist designating subject or any of its beneficial owners, controlling shareholders or senior officers as terrorist or terrorist organization or whom notice had been received that all financial transactions involving their assets have been blocked or convicted, found guilty or against whom a judgement or order had been entered in a proceedings for violating money-laundering, anti-corruption or bribery or international economic or anti-terrorism sanction laws or whose assets were seized, blocked, frozen or ordered forfeited for violation of money laundering or international anti-terrorism laws.

 

2]         Court Declaration :

No records exist to suggest that subject is or was the subject of any formal or informal allegations, prosecutions or other official proceeding for making any prohibited payments or other improper payments to government officials for engaging in prohibited transactions or with designated parties.

 

3]         Asset Declaration :

No records exist to suggest that the property or assets of the subject are derived from criminal conduct or a prohibited transaction.

 

4]         Record on Financial Crime :

            Charges or conviction registered against subject:                                                  None

 

5]         Records on Violation of Anti-Corruption Laws :

            Charges or investigation registered against subject:                                                          None

 

6]         Records on Int’l Anti-Money Laundering Laws/Standards :

            Charges or investigation registered against subject:                                                          None

 

7]         Criminal Records

No available information exist that suggest that subject or any of its principals have been formally charged or convicted by a competent governmental authority for any financial crime or under any formal investigation by a competent government authority for any violation of anti-corruption laws or international anti-money laundering laws or standard.

 

8]         Affiliation with Government :

No record exists to suggest that any director or indirect owners, controlling shareholders, director, officer or employee of the company is a government official or a family member or close business associate of a Government official.

 

9]         Compensation Package :

Our market survey revealed that the amount of compensation sought by the subject is fair and reasonable and comparable to compensation paid to others for similar services.

 

10]        Press Report :

            No press reports / filings exists on the subject.

 


 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

 

MIRA INFORM as part of its Due Diligence do provide comments on Corporate Governance to identify management and governance. These factors often have been predictive and in some cases have created vulnerabilities to credit deterioration.

 

Our Governance Assessment focuses principally on the interactions between a company’s management, its Board of Directors, Shareholders and other financial stakeholders.

 

 

CONTRAVENTION

 

Subject is not known to have contravened any existing local laws, regulations or policies that prohibit, restrict or otherwise affect the terms and conditions that could be included in the agreement with the subject.

 

 

FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATES

 

Currency

Unit

Indian Rupees

US Dollar

1

Rs. 55.70

UK Pound

1

Rs. 89.34

Euro

1

Rs. 72.35

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Information Gathered by :

PJA

 

 

Report Prepared by :

DPT


 

SCORE & RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

SCORE FACTORS

 

RANGE

POINTS

HISTORY

1~10

4

PAID-UP CAPITAL

1~10

3

OPERATING SCALE

1~10

5

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

 

--BUSINESS SCALE

1~10

5

--PROFITABILIRY

1~10

3

--LIQUIDITY

1~10

3

--LEVERAGE

1~10

3

--RESERVES

1~10

4

--CREDIT LINES

1~10

4

--MARGINS

-5~5

--

DEMERIT POINTS

 

 

--BANK CHARGES

YES/NO

YES

--LITIGATION

YES/NO

NO

--OTHER ADVERSE INFORMATION

YES/NO

NO

MERIT POINTS

 

 

--SOLE DISTRIBUTORSHIP

YES/NO

NO

--EXPORT ACTIVITIES

YES/NO

YES

--AFFILIATION

YES/NO

NO

--LISTED

YES/NO

NO

--OTHER MERIT FACTORS

YES/NO

YES

TOTAL

 

34

 

This score serves as a reference to assess SC’s credit risk and to set the amount of credit to be extended. It is calculated from a composite of weighted scores obtained from each of the major sections of this report. The assessed factors and their relative weights (as indicated through %) are as follows:

 

Financial condition (40%)            Ownership background (20%)                 Payment record (10%)

Credit history (10%)                    Market trend (10%)                                Operational size (10%)

 


 

RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

 

RATING

STATUS

 

 

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

>86

Aaa

Possesses an extremely sound financial base with the strongest capability for timely payment of interest and principal sums

 

Unlimited

71-85

Aa

Possesses adequate working capital. No caution needed for credit transaction. It has above average (strong) capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Large

56-70

A

Financial & operational base are regarded healthy. General unfavourable factors will not cause fatal effect. Satisfactory capability for payment of interest and principal sums

 

Fairly Large

41-55

Ba

Overall operation is considered normal. Capable to meet normal commitments.

 

Satisfactory

26-40

B

Capability to overcome financial difficulties seems comparatively below average.

 

Small

11-25

Ca

Adverse factors are apparent. Repayment of interest and principal sums in default or expected to be in default upon maturity

 

Limited with full security

<10

C

Absolute credit risk exists. Caution needed to be exercised

 

 

Credit not recommended

-

NB

                                       New Business

-

 

 

 

 

 

PRIVATE & CONFIDENTIAL : This information is provided to you at your request, you having employed MIPL for such purpose. You will use the information as aid only in determining the propriety of giving credit and generally as an aid to your business and for no other purpose. You will hold the information in strict confidence, and shall not reveal it or make it known to the subject persons, firms or corporations or to any other. MIPL does not warrant the correctness of the information as you hold it free of any liability whatsoever. You will be liable to and indemnify MIPL for any loss, damage or expense, occasioned by your breach or non observance of any one, or more of these conditions

This report is issued at your request without any risk and responsibility on the part of MIRA INFORM PRIVATE LIMITED (MIPL) or its officials.