RATING RATIONALE
03Mar2023

ITI Limited

Brickwork Ratings downgrades the ratings for the Bank Loan Facilities of Rs. 4469.50 Crs. of ITI Limited based on best available information, as the issuer did not cooperate.

Particulars
Facilities** Amount (Rs.Crs.) Tenure Rating#
Previous Present Previous
(24 Feb 2022)
Present
Fund Based 2445.00 2445.00 Long Term BWR A- (CE)/Stable
Reaffirmation
BWR BBB + /Stable
ISSUER NOT COOPERATING*/Downgraded^
Non Fund Based 2024.50 2024.50 Short Term BWR A2+ (CE)
Reaffirmation
BWR A2
ISSUER NOT COOPERATING*/Downgraded^
Grand Total 4469.50 4469.50 (Rupees Four Thousand Four Hundred Sixty Nine Crores and Fifty lakhs Only)
#Please refer to BWR website www.brickworkratings.com for definition of the ratings
**Details of Bank Loan facilities,consolidation or instruments are provided in Annexure
*Issuer did not cooperate; based on best available information.
Note: ^Revision in analytical approach from CE to standalone; withdrawal of earlier unsupported rating of BWR BBB+/Stable/A2. The ratings for the bank loan facilities of ITI Limited (ITIL or the company) were based on explicit credit enhancement by way of support from the Government of India (GoI) in the form of a Letter of Comfort (LoC) issued by the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications, GoI. The LoC is issued in favour of the company"s consortium bankers. The GoI has regularly been issuing such LoCs. The latest LoC dated 29 Dec2021 is valid up to 31 July 2023.


 

RATING ACTION / OUTLOOK / NATURE OF NON-COOPERATION

Bank loan ratings of ITI Ltd. (ITI) were due for a review in February 2023. Brickwork Ratings (BWR) has taken up with the company through emails and telephone calls to provide financial and operational information for the periodic monitoring and surveillance of the ratings. Despite the best efforts of BWR to get the required information for a review, the company has not shared the requisite information. Due to the lack of management cooperation and in the absence of adequate information from the company, BWR is unable to assess the company’s performance, its ability to service its debt and maintain a valid rating.

The ratings for the bank loan facilities of ITI were based on explicit credit enhancement (CE) by way of support from the Government of India (GoI) in the form of a Letter of Comfort (LoC) issued by the Ministry of Communications, Department of Telecommunications, GoI. The latest LoC dated 29 December 2021 is valid up to 31 July 2023. It is understood that the Ministry of Finance (MoF), GoI has issued Office Memorandum withdrawing the authority to issue LoC by ministries or departments or any entities of the Government of India (GoI) w.e.f. 31Mar2022. So, there is uncertainty pertaining to availability of LoC after 31 July 2023 to support the CE rating. The company has not given us any clarification in this regard despite follow up. Based on the inability of the rating team to assess the continuity and availability of the support structure for the CE rating arising from the non-cooperation of the company in sharing requisite information, the analytical approach is recommended to be changed from “Credit Enhancement” to “Standalone”.

Hence, based on extant regulatory guidelines, non-cooperation by the company, and the best available information, BWR has downgraded the ratings of the bank loan facilities to BWR BBB+/Stable/A2 and migrated them to the ISSUER NOT COOPERATING* category.

*Issuer did not cooperate; based on best available information

LIMITATIONS OF THE RATING

Information availability risk is a key factor in the assessment of credit risk as generally non-cooperation by the rated entities to provide required information for a review of the assigned rating may also be accompanied by financial stress. Users of the credit rating should therefore take into account the possible deterioration in the credit quality of the rated entity arising from its non-transparency and withholding of information required for a review of the rating.

ABOUT THE ENTITY

Incorporated in 1948, ITIL is India’s first Public Sector Undertaking, which became a public limited company on 23 November 1985. ITIL is listed on the NSE and BSE. The company is a pioneer in the Indian Telecom equipment market with a diversified product portfolio that includes electronic switching exchanges, transmission equipment, microelectronic equipment, telephone instruments, equipment for Defence, turnkey telecom services, and ground stations for satellite communications. The Central Government (President of India) held 89.97% and the Government of Karnataka held  0.03% of the share capital as on date.

ITI Limited has six manufacturing units in Bangalore, Naini, Rae Bareli, Mankapur, Pallakad and Srinagar. The manufacturing facilities of ITIL have been accredited with a quality management system as per ISO 9001-2015, environmental management system as per ISO 14001-2015, customer satisfaction as per ISO: 10002:2018, OHSAS 18001, and so on. The company’s various products and services are having approvals/certifications from recognised bodies such as the Technical Specification Evaluation Certificate (TSEC) issued by QA and Inspection Circle of BSNL, International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), Telecommunication Engineering Center (TEC), MasterCard and so on.

(as per the information shared during Feb'22 rating review)

KEY FINANCIAL INDICATORS

Please refer to the following link for the previous detailed rationale that captures the Key Financials Drivers and their Description, Liquidity Position. Rating Sensitivities, Key Financial Indicators. View Previous Document

NON-COOPERATION WITH PREVIOUS CREDIT RATING AGENCY

NA

ANY OTHER INFORMATION

Nil

RATING HISTORY FOR THE PREVIOUS THREE YEARS (including withdrawal and suspended)
Facilities Current Rating  (2023) 2022 2021 2020
Type Tenure Amount
(Rs.Crs.)
Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating
Fund Based LT 2445.00
BWR BBB+/Stable
(ISSUER NOT COOPERATING*/Downgraded^)
03Jan2022
BWR A- (CE)Positive to Stable
(Upgraded with change in Outlook)
NA
NA
31Dec2020
BWR BBB+ (CE)Stable to Positive
(Reaffirmation and change in Outlook)
0.00
NA
24Feb2022
BWR A- (CE)Stable
(Reaffirmation)
NA
NA
NA
NA
Non Fund Based ST 2024.50
BWR A2
(ISSUER NOT COOPERATING*/Downgraded^)
03Jan2022
BWR A2+ (CE)
(Upgraded )
NA
NA
31Dec2020
BWR A2 (CE)
(Reaffirmation)
0.00
NA
24Feb2022
BWR A2+ (CE)
(Reaffirmation)
NA
NA
NA
NA
Grand Total 4469.50 (Rupees Four Thousand Four Hundred Sixty Nine Crores and Fifty lakhs Only)
COMPLEXITY LEVELS OF THE INSTRUMENTS - Simple

BWR complexity levels are meant for educating investors. The BWR complexity levels are available at www.brickworkratings.com / download / ComplexityLevels.pdf. Investors queries can be sent to info@brickworkratings.com.

Hyperlink/Reference to applicable Criteria
Analytical Contacts

Swarn Saurabh

Assistant Manager - Ratings swarn.s@brickworkratings.com

Saakshi Kanwar

Associate Director - Ratings saakshi.k@brickworkratings.com
1-860-425-2742 | media@brickworkratings.com
ITI Limited
ANNEXURE-I
Details of Bank Facilities rated by BWR
SL.No. Name of the Bank/Lender Type Of Facilities Long Term(Rs.Crs.) Short Term(Rs.Crs.) Total(Rs.Crs.)
1 Bank of Baroda Cash CreditSanctioned 528.60 _ 528.60
2 Bank of Baroda Bank GuaranteeSanctioned _ 760.03 760.03
3 Bank of Baroda Letter of CreditSanctioned _ 289.40 289.40
4 Bank of Baroda Covid -19 Emergency Line CreditSanctioned 2.69 _ 2.69
5 Canara Bank Covid -19 Emergency Line CreditSanctioned 80.00 _ 80.00
6 Canara Bank Letter of CreditSanctioned _ 8.60 8.60
7 Canara Bank Bank GuaranteeSanctioned _ 10.00 10.00
8 Canara Bank Cash CreditSanctioned 77.40 _ 77.40
9 Central Bank of India Cash CreditSanctioned 44.00 _ 44.00
10 Central Bank of India Bank GuaranteeSanctioned _ 1.00 1.00
11 Central Bank of India Letter of CreditSanctioned _ 30.00 30.00
12 Indian Bank Letter of CreditSanctioned _ 5.00 5.00
13 Indian Bank Bank GuaranteeSanctioned _ 5.00 5.00
14 Indian Bank Cash CreditSanctioned 10.00 _ 10.00
15 Punjab National Bank Cash CreditSanctioned 46.00 _ 46.00
16 Punjab National Bank Bank GuaranteeSanctioned _ 36.00 36.00
17 Punjab National Bank Letter of CreditSanctioned _ 48.00 48.00
18 State Bank Of India (SBI) Credit Exposure Limit (CEL)Sanctioned _ 2.50 2.50
19 State Bank Of India (SBI) Bank GuaranteeSanctioned _ 290.00 290.00
20 State Bank Of India (SBI) Letter of CreditSanctioned _ 109.00 109.00
21 State Bank Of India (SBI) Cash CreditSanctioned 385.00 _ 385.00
22 Un tied portion from consortium of banks Cash CreditProposed 1217.31 _ 1217.31
23 Un tied portion from consortium of banks BG/ILCProposed _ 353.97 353.97
24 Union Bank of India Letter of CreditSanctioned _ 55.00 55.00
25 Union Bank of India Cash CreditSanctioned 54.00 _ 54.00
26 Union Bank of India Bank GuaranteeSanctioned _ 21.00 21.00
Total 2445.00 2024.50 4469.50
TOTAL (Rupees Four Thousand Four Hundred Sixty Nine Crores and Fifty lakhs Only)
Print and Digital Media

The Rating Rationale is sent to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your print, digital or electronic media. While it may be used by you acknowledging credit to BWR, please do not change the wordings in the rationale to avoid conveying a meaning different from what was intended by BWR. BWR alone has the sole right of sharing (both direct and indirect) its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any print or electronic or digital media.

About Brickwork Ratings

Brickwork Ratings (BWR), a Securities and Exchange Board of India [SEBI] registered Credit Rating Agency and accredited by Reserve Bank of India [RBI], offers credit ratings of Bank Loan, Non- convertible / convertible / partially convertible debentures and other capital market instruments and bonds, Commercial Paper, perpetual bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured / credit enhanced debt instruments, Security Receipts, Securitization Products, Municipal Bonds, etc. BWR has rated over 12,000 medium and large corporates and financial institutions’ instruments. BWR has also rated NGOs, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Real Estate Developers, Urban Local Bodies and Municipal Corporations. BWR has Canara Bank, a leading public sector bank, as one of the promoters and strategic partner. BWR has its corporate office in Bengaluru and a country-wide presence with its offices in Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi along with representatives in 150+ locations.

Disclaimer

Brickwork Ratings India Pvt. Ltd. (BWR), a Securities and Exchange Board of India [SEBI] registered Credit Rating Agency and accredited by the Reserve Bank of India [RBI], offers credit ratings of Bank Loan facilities, Non- convertible / convertible / partially convertible debentures and other capital market instruments and bonds, Commercial Paper, perpetual bonds, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured / credit enhanced debt instruments, Security Receipts, Securitization Products, Municipal Bonds, etc. [ hereafter referred to as "Instruments"]. BWR also rates NGOs, Educational Institutions, Hospitals, Real Estate Developers, Urban Local Bodies and Municipal Corporations.

BWR wishes to inform all persons who may come across Rating Rationales and Rating Reports provided by BWR that the ratings assigned by BWR are based on information obtained from the issuer of the instrument and other reliable sources, which in BWR"s best judgment are considered reliable. The Rating Rationale / Rating Report & other rating communications are intended for the jurisdiction of India only. The reports should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in Europe and also the USA).

BWR also wishes to inform that access or use of the said documents does not create a client relationship between the user and BWR.

The ratings assigned by BWR are only an expression of BWR"s opinion on the entity / instrument and should not in any manner be construed as being a recommendation to either, purchase, hold or sell the instrument.

BWR also wishes to abundantly clarify that these ratings are not to be considered as an investment advice in any jurisdiction nor are they to be used as a basis for or as an alternative to independent financial advice and judgment obtained from the user"s financial advisors. BWR shall not be liable to any losses incurred by the users of these Rating Rationales, Rating Reports or its contents. BWR reserves the right to vary, modify, suspend or withdraw the ratings at any time without assigning reasons for the same.

BWR"s ratings reflect BWR"s opinion on the day the ratings are published and are not reflective of factual circumstances that may have arisen on a later date. BWR is not obliged to update its opinion based on any public notification, in any form or format although BWR may disseminate its opinion and analysis when deemed fit.

Neither BWR nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as the directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, "BWR Party") guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Ratings, and no BWR Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Rating Rationales or Rating Reports. Each BWR Party disclaims all express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, any warranties of merchantability, suitability or fitness for a particular purpose or use. In no event shall any BWR Party be liable to any one for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Rating Rationales and/or Rating Reports even if advised of the possibility of such damages. However, BWR or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity. BWR and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary.

BWR keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of BWR may have information that is not available to other BWR business units. BWR has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process.

BWR clarifies that it may have been paid a fee by the issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities etc., or from obligors. BWR"s public ratings and analysis are made available on its web site, www.brickworkratings.com. More detailed information may be provided for a fee. BWR"s rating criteria are also generally made available without charge on BWR"s website.

This disclaimer forms an integral part of the Ratings Rationales / Rating Reports or other press releases, advisories, communications issued by BWR and circulation of the ratings without this disclaimer is prohibited.

BWR is bound by the Code of Conduct for Credit Rating Agencies issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India and is governed by the applicable regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India as amended from time to time.