Pre-packaged insolvency plans may cover big companies

India is looking to offer pre-packaged insolvency resolution process (PIRP) to bigger companies as part of large-scale changes to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code likely in the Monsoon session of Parliament.

A bill to amend the Companies Act could also be introduced in the same session, a senior government official said.

The session is likely to commence in late July or August.

The changes to the IBC will be based on the discussion paper floated by the ministry of corporate affairs in January which mooted Fast Track Corporate Insolvency (FIRP) through which corporate debtors of a company can choose to opt for a resolution process outside the judicial process.

The proposed changes could also expand the scope of PIRP. During Covid-19 outbreak, the government allowed debtors classified as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to avail PIRP scheme to alleviate the disruption caused by IBC proceedings. While the mechanism may not be extended to all large companies, it is likely to allow companies below a certain turnover to avail it.