Initiation of Insolvency proceedings by Debtor
Under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (Code), in case of an entrepreneur (Corporate Debtor) in debt may submit an application under Section- 10 of the Code for initiation of insolvency proceedings. The entrepreneur must supply all information regarding the books of account and the RP (person who determines the liquidation value of the Corporate Debtor by way of reaching at an estimated probable value of the assets on the insolvency initiation date) to be appointed. In addition, a special resolution has to be passed by the shareholders of the Corporate Debtor or a resolution by at least 3/4th of the total number of partners of the company must be passed whereby agreeing to the filing of the insolvency resolution application.

Although there may be some panic of abuse of Section-10, it is a crucial tool available to the corporate debtors when looking to resolve their insolvency, especially in cases where creditors hold back or are dragging their feet on selecting an outside Code resolution plan. Anyhow, the success of this legal provision is dependent on how jurisprudence around Sections 65 and 66 of the Code evolves. While Section- 65 provides a brake to file (keeping in mind the risk of National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) deciding malicious or fraudulent intention by the debtor), Section- 66 provides a motivation to the Directors to file (to evade personal liability for unfair trading).

Fast Track Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process
Under Section- 55 of the Code, the yardstick for requesting Fast Track Resolution depends on the debtor income, assets and volume of debt. This covers the procedure from inception of insolvency till the acceptance of such resolution by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), which concludes the procedure. The entire procedure is concluded within 90 days. Although, the National Company Law Tribunal may, if contented, increase the period of 90 days by another 45 days.

Voluntary winding up of a company
Under the Companies Act, 2013, the Corporate Debtor (entrepreneur) with other partners can formally resolve to voluntarily wind up the business of the company and thus, dissolve it under Section- 304. The aim of voluntarily winding up a company is to enable the creditors and debtors to settle their issues among themselves without having to go to Court. However, voluntary winding up is only available to solvent companies i.e. companies having more assets than liabilities.

How can the Government provide relief/ support to such entrepreneurs?
First, it is not entirely fair to tax such business houses but become their support system in tough times primarily because businesses like CCD are private and therefore, they cannot be given direct bailout packages or financial help like in the case of Air India etc. However, these businesses have shareholders who are the common people or in other words the electorate and when such businesses dissolve the share holders are impacted terribly. Since share holders are the investors they need to be protected for building nation economy.

Now the question is how the Government can help well before the naming and shaming of such entrepreneurs begin. The law, local investigating agencies as well as the government must identify, whether the entrepreneur is trying to find a solution or whether he is trying to evade paying back the money. Moreover, the Government agencies should have cells which can work out a plan to save the business house through mergers etc. though all this requires a decent amount of time.

Therefore, the Government can try and make amends in the present law to go all out to help already established businesses. This will act as an amazing booster to other business houses to enhance their performance because they will have the backing of the Government. The Government through fair and impartial means must identify who has cheated by design or who has been a victim of market trends.