MIRA INFORM REPORT

 

 

Report Date :

04.04.2013

 

IDENTIFICATION DETAILS

 

Name :

ESDEE PAINTS LIMITED

 

 

Registered Office :

203, Navketan Building, 2nd Floor, Chembur, Mumbai – 400071, Maharashtra

 

 

Country :

India

 

 

Financials (as on) :

31.03.2011

 

 

Date of Incorporation :

12.09.1979

 

 

Com. Reg. No.:

11- 021670

 

 

Capital Investment / Paid-up Capital :

Rs. 9.996 millions

 

 

CIN No.:

[Company Identification No.]

U24222MH1979PLC021670

 

 

TAN No.:

[Tax Deduction & Collection Account No.]

MUME04963A

 

 

PAN No.:

[Permanent Account No.]

AAACE1378A

 

 

Legal Form :

A Closely Held Public Limited Liability Company

 

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturer and Exporter of Paints and Allied Products. 

 

 

No. of Employees :

Information declined by the management

 

RATING & COMMENTS

 

MIRA’s Rating :

Ba (52)

 

RATING

STATUS

PROPOSED CREDIT LINE

41-55

Ba

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

Satisfactory

 

Maximum Credit Limit :

USD 3400000

 

 

Status :

Good

 

 

Payment Behaviour :

Regular

 

 

Litigation :

Clear

 

 

Comments :

Subject is a well established company having fine track. The company has achieved an increase in its sales turnover and profitability during 2011. The financial position of the company appears to be sound.

 

Trade relations are reported as trustworthy. Business is active. Payments are reported to be regular and as per commitments.

 

The company can be considered good for business dealings at usual trade terms and conditions. 

 

NOTES :

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

 

EXTERNAL AGENCY RATING

 

Rating Agency Name

CRISIL

Rating

(CASH CREDIT) A -

Rating Explanation

Adequate degree of safety and low credit risk

Date

01.07.2012

 

Rating Agency Name

CRISIL

Rating

(Term Loan) A -

Rating Explanation

Adequate degree of safety and low credit risk

Date

01.07.2012

 

Rating Agency Name

CRISIL

Rating

(BANK GUARANTEE) P2+

Rating Explanation

Strong degree of safety and low credit risk

Date

01.07.2012

 

 

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 DENIED BY

 

Management Non Co-operative (Name not disclosed)

 

LOCATIONS

 

Registered Office :

203, Navketan Building, 2nd Floor, Chembur, Mumbai – 400071, Maharashtra, India

Tel. No.:

91-22-25217982

Fax No.:

91-22-25212988

E-Mail :

tkfj49@hotmail.com

info@esdeepaints.com

Website :

http://www.esdeepaints.com

 

 

Branch Office :

Located at

 

North Zone:

  • Punjab
  • Chandigarh
  • Haryana
  • New Delhi
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Uttarakhand
  • Rajasthan

 

West Zone:

  • Gujrat
  • Maharashtra

 

South Zone:

  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Tamilnadu
  • Andhra Pradesh

 

Central Zone:

  • Orissa
  • Jharkhand
  • West Bengal

 

DIRECTORS

 

AS ON 29.09.2012

 

Name :

Mr. Mahavir Ganeshlal Dawra

Designation :

Director

Address :

8.Railview, Chembur, Mumbai – 400071, Maharashtra, India 

Date of Birth/Age :

02.09.1951

Qualification :

Graduate

Date of Appointment :

12.09.1979

DIN No.:

00215028

 

 

Name :

Mr. Sharad Ganeshlal Dawra

Designation :

Director

Address :

8.Railview, Chembur, Mumbai – 400071, Maharashtra, India 

Date of Birth/Age :

01.10.1957

Qualification :

Graduate

Date of Appointment :

12.09.1979

DIN No.:

00215060

 

 

Name :

Mr. Rahul Sharad Dawra

Designation :

Director

Address :

8.Railview, Chembur, Mumbai – 400071, Maharashtra, India 

Date of Birth/Age :

19.05.1980

Date of Appointment :

06.03.2009

DIN No.:

02569598

 

 

Name :

Mr. Shekhar Ganeshlal Dawra

Designation :

Director

Address :

8.Railview, Chembur, Mumbai – 400071, Maharashtra, India 

Date of Birth/Age :

13.03.1954

Qualification :

Graduate

Date of Appointment :

12.09.1979

DIN No.:

02415586

 

 

KEY EXECUTIVES

 

Name :

Ms. Sholi

Designation :

Finance Department

 

 

MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS / SHAREHOLDING PATTERN

 

AS ON 29.09.2012

 

Names of Shareholders

 

No. of Shares

Mahavir G. Dawra

 

17574

Shekhar G. Dawra

 

14803

Sharad G. Dawra

 

17108

Rekha S Doshi

 

160

Ganesh Chemicals Private Limited, India 

 

130

Mitto M. Dawra

 

725

Malini M. Dawra

 

725

Varsha M Dawra

 

660

Rahul S. Dawra

 

1125

Bela S. Dawra

 

4100

Sharad G. Dawra (HUF)

 

465

Swarnalata M. Dawra

 

3065

Mahavir G. Dawra (HUF)

 

465

G G Dawra (HUF)

 

465

Ketki S Dawra

 

865

Ganesh Industries, India

 

18000

Ganesh Warehousing and Transport Agency, India

 

19530

Total

 

99965

 

AS ON 29.09.2012

 

Equity Share Break up (Percentage of Total Equity)

 

Category

Percentage

Directors or relatives of Directors

100.00

Total

100.00

 

 

BUSINESS DETAILS

 

Line of Business :

Manufacturer and Exporter of Paints and Allied Products. 

 

 

Products :

  • Poly Urethane
  • Epoxy Hi-performance
  • Plastic coating
  • General Industrial
  • Wood Coating
  • Decorative
  • Enamel
  • Lacquer
  • Thinner

 

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

No. of Employees :

Information declined by the management

 

 

Bankers :

Bank of India, Thane MCB, G - 5, Akruti SMC Building, Near Khopat Junction,  .B.S. Marg, Thane West - 400601, Maharashtra, India

 

 

Facilities :

Secured Loan

As on 31.03.2011

(Rs. In Millions)

As on 31.03.2010

(Rs. In Millions)

 

 

 

Working Capital Loans Banks Secured

122.178

128.129

Loans Taken For Other Fixed Assets Secured

42.286

4.712

Total

164.464

132.841

 

 

 

Unsecured Loan

As on 31.03.2011

(Rs. In Millions)

As on 31.03.2010

(Rs. In Millions)

 

 

 

Loans Directors Unsecured

33.333

25.498

Other Debt Unsecured

4.500

4.658

Total

37.833

30.156

 

 

 

Banking Relations :

--

 

 

Auditors :

 

Name :

Chandulal M. Shah and Company

Chartered Accountants

Address :

304, Maker Bhavan No. 3, 21, New Marine Lines, Mumbai - 400 020, Maharashtra, India

Tel. No.:

91-22-2331980/ 81

PAN No.:

AACFC5019K

 

 

Related Parties  :

  • Ganesh Industries
  • Ganesh Warehousing
  • Ganesh Chemicals Private Limited

 

 

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

 

As on 31.03.2011

 

Authorised Capital :

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

 

 

 

 

300000

Equity Shares

Rs. 100/- each

Rs. 30.000 millions

 

 

 

 

 

Issued, Subscribed & Paid-up Capital :

No. of Shares

Type

Value

Amount

 

 

 

 

99965

Equity Shares

Rs. 100/- each

Rs. 9.996 millions

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

FINANCIAL DATA

[all figures are in Rupees Millions]

 

ABRIDGED BALANCE SHEET

 

SOURCES OF FUNDS

 

31.03.2011

31.03.2010

31.03.2009

SHAREHOLDERS FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Share Capital

9.996

9.996

9.996

2] Share Application Money

0.000

0.000

0.000

3] Reserves & Surplus

843.175

700.671

574.373

4] (Accumulated Losses)

0.000

0.000

0.000

NETWORTH

853.171

710.667

584.369

LOAN FUNDS

 

 

 

1] Secured Loans

1706.342

1421.334

96.080

2] Unsecured Loans

1706.342

30.156

27.155

TOTAL BORROWING

3412.684

1451.49

123.235

DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

1055.468

873.664

707.604

 

 

 

 

APPLICATION OF FUNDS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIXED ASSETS [Net Block]

244.093

142.931

137.579

Capital work-in-progress

24.430

82.226

1.347

 

 

 

 

INVESTMENT

0.001

0.001

0.001

DEFERREX TAX ASSETS

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS, LOANS & ADVANCES

 

 

 

 

Inventories

430.138

348.819

0.001

 

Sundry Debtors

458.712

403.692

296.743

 

Cash & Bank Balances

24.894

28.787

56.755

 

Other Current Assets

4.666

5.703

0.000

 

Loans & Advances

234.726

219.749

140.230

Total Current Assets

1153.136

1006.750

493.729

Less : CURRENT LIABILITIES & PROVISIONS

 

 

 

 

Sundry Creditors

159.139

140.792

99.859

 

Other Current Liabilities

65.653

41.457

24.768

 

Provisions

141.400

175.995

107.795

Total Current Liabilities

366.192

358.244

232.422

Net Current Assets

786.944

648.506

568.677

 

 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS EXPENSES

0.000

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

TOTAL

1055.468

873.664

707.604

 


PROFIT & LOSS ACCOUNT

 

 

PARTICULARS

31.03.2011

31.03.2010

31.03.2009

 

SALES

 

 

 

 

 

Income

2553.577

2158.161

1721.662

 

 

Other Income

13.730

15.331

12.406

 

 

TOTAL                                     (A)

2567.307

2173.492

1734.068

 

 

 

 

 

Less

EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

Consumption Materials Changes Inventories

1884.596

1589.289

1575.526

 

 

Manufacturing Service Costs

81.736

74.414

 

 

 

Employee Related Expenses

42.407

34.834

 

 

 

Administrative Selling Other Expenses

282.006

240.447

 

 

 

Prior Period Items

0.315

0.055

 

 

 

TOTAL                                     (B)

2291.060

1939.039

1575.526

 

 

 

 

 

Less

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

276.247

234.453

158.542

 

 

 

 

 

Less

FINANCIAL EXPENSES                                    (D)

25.244

20.521

20.929

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

251.003

213.932

137.613

 

 

 

 

 

Less/ Add

DEPRECIATION/ AMORTISATION                     (F)

32.378

20.387

18.781

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROFIT BEFORE TAX (E-F)                              (G)

218.625

193.545

118.832

 

 

 

 

 

Less

TAX                                                                  (H)

68.656

67.247

41.251

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROFIT AFTER TAX (G-H)                                (I)

149.969

126.298

77.581

 

 

 

 

 

 

EARNINGS IN FOREIGN CURRENCY

 

 

 

 

 

Export Earnings

26.634

0.000

0.000

 

TOTAL EARNINGS

26.634

0.000

0.000

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings Per Share (Rs.)

1500.22

NA

NA

 

 

KEY RATIOS

 

PARTICULARS

 

 

31.03.2011

31.03.2010

31.03.2009

PAT / Total Income

(%)

5.84

5.81

4.47

 

 

 

 

 

Net Profit Margin

(PBT/Sales)

(%)

8.56

8.97

6.90

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Total Assets

(PBT/Total Assets}

(%)

15.65

16.83

12.66

 

 

 

 

 

Return on Investment (ROI)

(PBT/Networth)

 

0.26

0.27

0.20

 

 

 

 

 

Debt Equity Ratio

(Total Liability/Networth)

 

0.67

0.73

0.61

 

 

 

 

 

Current Ratio

(Current Asset/Current Liability)

 

3.15

2.81

3.45

 

 

 

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

No

9]

Name of person contacted

No

10]

Designation of contact person

No

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

No

15]

Capital in the business

Yes

16]

Details of sister concerns

Yes

17]

Major suppliers

No

18]

Major customers

No

19]

Payments terms

No

20]

Export / Import details (if applicable)

No

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

No

30]

Major Shareholders, if available

Yes

31]

Date of Birth of Director, if available

Yes

32]

PAN of Director, if available

No

33]

Voter ID No of Director, if available

No

34]

External Agency Rating, if available

Yes

 

SALES:

 

The company's gross sale of Rs.2879.600 Millions for the year reflects a growth of around 20.06% over the previous year. The company continued to expand its dealer network aggressively, covered several new towns for direct representation and with adequate and with adequate resources deployed.

 

 

BANKERS CHARGES REPORT AS PER REGISTRY:

 

Corporate identity number of the company

U24222MH1979PLC021670

Name of the company

ESDEE PAINTS LIMITED

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

203, Navketan Building, 2nd Floor, Chembur, Mumbai – 400071, Maharashtra, India

E-mail Id : tkfj49@hotmail.com

This form is for

Modification of charge

Charge identification (ID) number of the charge to be modified

80020695

Type of charge

Book debts

Movable property (not being pledge)

Particular of charge holder

Bank of India, Thane MCB, G - 5, Akruti SMC Building, Near Khopat Junction,  .B.S. Marg, Thane West - 400601, Maharashtra, India

E-mail Id : ThaneMCB.RaigadThane@bankofindia.co.in

Nature of instrument creating charge

i) Supplemental Deed of Hypothecation

 

ii) Letter of Charge holder to consolidate hypothecation charge related to stocks and book debts (Both the instrument and the charge holder's letter constituting single modification after consolidation of charges pertaining to book debts and stocks)

Date of instrument Creating the charge

12.10.2011

Amount secured by the charge

Rs.180.000 Millions

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

Rate of Interest

3% over Base Rate presently 13.75% p.a. with monthly rest

 

Terms of Repayment

on Demand

 

Margin

Cash Credit: Stocks 25% and Book Debts up to 90 days 40%.

 

Extent and Operation of the charge

Charge of hypothecation to cover increased limit of Cash Credit Facility (Stocks and Book Debts) of Rs.180.000 Millions.  It is to extend to movables as secured under two principal deeds of hypothecation dated 7-5-1986 and also subsequent respective supplemental deeds from time to time on 31.10.2001, 17.9.2004, 14.11.2006, 19.2.2008, 20.2.2009, 25.6.2008 (adhoc), 13.4.2010 (last in respect of Stocks) and latest on 6.4.2010 (in respect of B.D)

 

Others

Particulars of separate Original charges on book debts and stocks and respective modifications thereof, hitherto filed separately, under charge IDs 80020695 and 80020694 are now being consolidated herein under the charge pertaining to stocks (ID 8002695)

Short particulars of the property or asset(s) charged (including complete address and location of the property)

a) All tangible movable plant, machineries (present and future) whether installed or lying loose or in transit or in or upon premises or godowns

 

b) All tangible movable properties and assets (present and future) including stocks of Raw Materials, such as Paints etc, WIP, finished goods, semi-finished goods, spare arts, components and stock in process wheresoever situate at Thane, Turbhe, Ahmedabad or elsewhere or in transit and particularly described in Part B of Schedule II of the Agreement

 

c) All present and future Book Debts, outstanding moneys, receivables, claims, bills - now /  hereafter due and owing or as may become due / owing to company by any persons, firms, company body corporate or Governemnt - Central / any State or its Department or any Municipal or local or public / semi Government body or undertaking or project whatsoever - all to continue to constitute security in terms of two principal deeds ofhypothecation dated 7-5-1986 and subsequent supplemental deeds of hypothecation (stocks) and (Book Debts) respectively resting with last modifications on 13-4-2010 and 6-4-2010.

Date of instrument modifying the charge

13.04.2010

Particulars of the present modification

Security of hypothecation created by separate principal deeds of hypothecation dated 7-5-1986 and later modified from time to time, with last of such modifications being separately securing Demand Cash Credit (Stocks) of Rs.110.000 Millions on 13. 4.2010 and Book Debts of Rs.75.000 Millions on 6-4-2010 (maximum Rs.150.000 Millions),

 

Now By Present Modification :

i) is consolidated in terms of Bank's letter to that effect and ii) enhanced to Rs.180.000 Millions, being working capital fund based (stocks and Book Debts) limit.

 

FIXED ASSETS:

 

  • Lab Equipments
  • Weighing Scale
  • Electric Installation
  • Car and Scooters
  • Computers
  • Generators
  • Air Conditioner
  • Factory Building
  • Fire Equipments
  • Furniture and Fixtures
  • Air-Pollution Control Equipments
  • Office Equipments
  • Truck
  • Plant and Machinery
  • Godown
  • Office Building
  • Residential Building
  • Land
  • Staff Quarters
  • Staff Bus
  • Factory Equipments
  • Fire Hydrant Systems

 


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.54.39

UK Pound

1

Rs.82.04

Euro

1

Rs.69.59

 

 

INFORMATION DETAILS

 

Information Gathered by :

JML

 

 

Report Prepared by :

SDA

 


 

SCORE & RATING EXPLANATIONS

 

SCORE FACTORS

 

RANGE

POINTS

HISTORY

1~10

5

PAID-UP CAPITAL

1~10

5

OPERATING SCALE

1~10

6

FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

 

--BUSINESS SCALE

1~10

6

--PROFITABILIRY

1~10

5

--LIQUIDITY

1~10

7

--LEVERAGE

1~10

5

--RESERVES

1~10

7

--CREDIT LINES

1~10

6

--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

DEFAULTER

 

 

--RBI

YES/NO

NO

--EPF

YES/NO

NO

TOTAL

 

52

 

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.