NCC Limited

FY2025 Q2

2024-11-07 Transcript PDF
Moderator

Thank you very much. We will now begin the question and answer session. The first question is from the line of Shravan Shah from Dolat Capital. Please go ahead.

Dolat Capital

Just to recheck, you are maintaining the previous revenue and EBITDA margin guidance I understand. So, just to recheck on that, if I look at 15% revenue growth, we need a (+17%) kind of revenue growth in the second half and in terms of the margin level , we need at least 9.7% to 10% kind of EBITDA margin in the second half. So, are we confident that we will be able to do that?

R. S. Raju

Now the guidance what we given at the beginning of the year and we are still confident to achieve the guidance what we given. As far as order book guidance is concerned , we have given about 20,000 to 22,000. So, though the order book in the first half year is lower than what we supposed to do, but the kind of the pipeline of the orders giving a good confidence to us to achieve easily the 20 to 20,000 crores. Even there is a good visibility to surpass the limit what we given for the order booking. As far as invoice booking is concerned, as in the first half year we achieved 13% that you know already we explained. P articularly in the 2nd Quarter because of the rains and floods, we couldn't achieve because of the difficulties happened because of the heavy rains in the season. So, in the second half, so whatever 15% is there, we easily achieve, but the 2% whatever is there, now the backlog, that also we are confident we achieve that one. And ultimately at this moment, we are confident we achieve 15% guidance whatever is given for the invoice booking. As far as EBITDA margins are concerned, as we've given 9.5% bottom lower band. And in the first half year, we achieved about 9.2% in EBITDA. So, in the second half, we are sure to achieve 9.5% lower band. But what our backlog is there for the first half year, the 0.3, is to be seen that how far we able to achieve 9.8 or 9.9 to make it as 9.5. But at this moment, we are able to achieve 9.5% in the second half year.

Dolat Capital

Just to clarify sir, in terms of the order inflow including the October 1 is I think 8660 odd and L1 is how much sir, Rs. 8700 odd crore?

Neerad Sharma

The total L1 value would be as of September end would be let us say that close to more than Rs. 9000 crore. And Shravanji, if I may add one point, you talked about the submissions that we have made for the month of October. If we really add these two numbers, we have already achieved about 41% of the lower band. If you really include the announcement that we have made for the month of October, the total order book is 8,256, which is about 41% of the lower band. So, we are on the journey. And I think we don't see any reason to revise the order inflow guidance that we have shared with the trade.

Dolat Capital

Sir, just a couple of data points just to get it from you. One is how much is retention money and loans and advances and the investment in subsidiaries and associates. So, exposure to associates and subsidiaries is how much?

R. S. Raju

Investments, there is no surging from the previous quarter. It is now standing at Rs. 2034 crores, against Rs. 1033 of the previous quarter. And the loans, loans now standing at Rs. 381 crores as against Rs. 361 crores of the previous quarter, about Rs. 20 crores increase. Inventories Rs. 1,469 crores against Rs. 1,304. Trade receivables, they're there.

Dolat Capital

Yes. Sir, I have that. I need retention money.

Dolat Capital

And the debt level previously you mentioned by end of the year we will be reaching to Rs. 500 odd crore versus Rs. 1730 odd crore. So, that stance remains the same.

R. S. Raju

At this moment, that stance there is no change. As you are aware, generally the collections are good in the fourth quarter. And this is what makes us believe that we should be able to hit that number.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Parth Thakkar from JM Financial. Please go ahead.

JM Financial

My first question is, what are the outstanding receivables from AP and how much recovery are we expecting in 2H?

R. S. Raju

As far as the AP projects are concerned, there are two categories. One is capital city projects and other category is running projects. So, we have received nearly Rs. 220 crores in the last two months from the AP government towards the running projects. As far as capital city projects are concerned, the outstanding is about approximately Rs. 150 crores is there. That also we expect to receive. There is a good movement and discussions going on with the client . And before March of this fiscal, we expect to receive that amount. So, as far as any other points you have on the AP projects?

JM Financial

My other question is can you help me understand what is the pending real estate deal and the land that we sold in Vizag?

Neerad Sharma

If you could please repeat your question sir. I think you are talking ab out the Vizag real estate deal.

Neerad Sharma

What remains to be received from them, we have received most of the payment. What remains to be received is about Rs. 23 crore. This is what we had disclosed in the last quarter. What remains to be received from them is let us say that negligible amount of Rs. 10 crore and with that receipt it is also important to understand that we have received the full payment as far as the equity portion of that project is concerned.

Sanjay Pusarla

Another Rs. 15 crores from the loan given to them and that loan is an interest bearing loan.

Moderator

Thank you. We have the next question from the line of Prithvi Raj from Unifi Capital. Please go ahead.

Unifi Capital

Could you give some color on, in which geographies are you seeing higher projects that are being awarded? Is it central government? Is it state government? Can you throw some color on what kind of projects are you getting?

Neerad Sharma

Are we getting, Mr. Prithvi, are you asking about the projects we are getting or bidding?

Unifi Capital

Yes, that's right. The projects which are in the pipeline, and which are being awarded now.

Neerad Sharma

See, primarily we are getting projects. We have shared one slide. I would encourage you to download and see the slide. But we have received few projects from the state of Maharashtra. We have also received few Jal Jeevan Mission projects. Going forward, we expect a very healthy pipeline of projects, more than Rs. 2 lakh crore , to be exact, Rs. 2.10 lakh crore pipeline of projects to come up for bidding. Primarily, it would come f rom four divisions, buildings, transportation, water and electrical T&D and we might get few projects in the irrigation and mining as well.

Unifi Capital

And then one specific question on AP, are you seeing any traction there when you're having conversations with the state government?

Neerad Sharma

We are hopeful. They have initiated the whole process. And we have been given to understand that the previous project they are planning to close. And they will start the process of award soon. So, as per the information that has been made available to us , we should be able to see concrete action by Q3 or Q4 of the current financial year.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Parikshit Kandpal from HDFC Securities. Please go ahead.

HDFC Securities

Sir, first question is on the prospect pipeline. You said that 2 trillion almost 2 lakh crores for the business. I understand for the next 6 months, right?

Neerad Sharma

Yes, but maybe few states difficult to predict subject to the elections. You are aware that elections have been announced in two of the key states. But yes, overall in the six months or this could also spill to nine months also, depending on the new government that comes to the power, their priorities, their preferences.

Neerad Sharma

That is right.

HDFC Securities

So, balance 2 trillion when you are bidding. So, typically, when you look at your historical bidding ratios, so what kind of conversion have you seen? For the rest of the year, when you are targeting, so Rs. 20,000-Rs. 22,000 crores, do you think there is a decent possibility of this number exceeding like Rs. 30,000 crores of inflows, given that you are talking about a very large number of 2 trillion for the rest of the year?

Neerad Sharma

Two questions, firstly, there is no fixed percentage. It really depends on the lumpiness of the contract. G enerally, this number would vary for 10% -15% anywhere in that range . It really depends on the lumpiness of the contract. What I essentially mean by that is let us say that there are few very large projects, Rs. 25,000 crores we have seen, very big projects like bullet train , so big packages if we win or lose, this will change the percentage drastically. So, this is the range that we have seen in the past.

HDFC Securities

So, 10% itself will mean around 20,000. So, that means, are you targeting almost another Rs. 20,000 crores of inflows for the rest of the year?

Neerad Sharma

But we are not very sure whether that will really get converted into contracts or not. You have seen that there is a delay. There is a timeline between L1 and the formal award of the contract, receipt of the LOA. So, it is really difficult to predict a timeline. This is not something that is really in our span of control, this is a call that our client has to take. We have seen in the past that the L1 announcement is made and it takes a substantial amount of time to receive the LOA. So, that is the reason we want to be a bit on this side.

HDFC Securities

Just on this advances loans, now you said equity portion has come in for the DP project, sorry I could not get, what is the total quantum of loans which were there and how much we have received and what is the timeline for the balance to come in?

Neerad Sharma

I think the loan is close to Rs. 477 crore which is expected to be paid out in the next 2 years.

Sanjay Pusarla

No, it is 320 plus another 64, Rs. 384 crores including the interest that is outstanding. And this year we have already received around Rs. 15 crores and it is expected that we will receive the balance money also the next couple of years. As Mr. Raju has said before, there is a traction going on there and now the sale is also happening and we are expecting that the market w ill improve there because it is near to the airport which is coming up in Vishakhapatnam. So, likely that these sales wi ll happen and we also have an understanding with them whatever sale that happens that they need to share the money with us through escrow mechanism. There is escrow mechanism in place. Whatever sales happen will go to the escrow account and we will get paid. The time frame is 2-3 years.

HDFC Securities

384 is right now the current outstanding right after you have received the Rs. 15 crores.

Sanjay Pusarla

380.

HDFC Securities

After receiving the Rs. 15 crores which you spoke about?

Sanjay Pusarla

No, after that we received Rs. 15 crores that means 365 is the outstanding.

HDFC Securities

Sir, j ust on t he building segment, if you can help us understand how much, is it all the government projects or do you also have some private projects, private residential projects in that?

Neerad Sharma

There are some projects from the private sector as well. There are some data centers from one of the leading power producers. We have some contracts in the building division from the private sector as well.

HDFC Securities

But you are not looking at adding more projects on the private sector because given that we have a strong presence in the building segment and there is shortage of good quality contractors in the private real estate, which is now doing well. So, do you think there is an opportunity for us to again look at that segment and add incremental orders?

Neerad Sharma

We are always open to look at the private sector contracts in the building space. It depends on what kind of projects are coming? What is the value of the projects? What is the location of the project? Who is the project proponent ? Depending on that, we do a thorough risk assessment and then decide whether to bid or not.

HDFC Securities

But often talks with developers, leading developers like L1_30.51__ developers, are they considering you for their projects like residential, private residential?

R. S. Raju

Yes, we are right about our participation in the private sector and we have internally taken not to participate in the private sector. Only in exceptional cases where the client is good, where the business relationship is there, so only in exceptional cases, after evaluating thoroughly about the clients, our private clients, performance and payments, then only we are entering. That is why the order book is also not much. It is hardly 2%-3% of the total order book.

HDFC Securities

Sir, just one more question. We have a very strong balance sheet now , you have settled some claims, you have received some money, we are receiving the real estate monetization money, so we are talking about Rs. 500 crores of debt by the CRM , but when I look at the order inflows, you talk about very robust prospect pipeline of 2 trillion, you have already got 17,000 and potentially if your conversion at the lower end happens, you are looking at another Rs. 20,000 crores for the rest of the year, even if it fits in L1. So, in the past, we have had the best year in order inflow was about 27,000. We have been doing 25 to 27 for some time, but do you think now the time has come given the balance sheet is strong? Now this can be really taken up because we are a very diversified player and can this number now start going up much higher, like if you are able to convert this year, it could be potentially very close to about Rs. 35,000-Rs. 40,000 crores of inflows. Even if it is since an L1, do you think you have that scale and capacity now to execute that kind of scale?

R. S. Raju

Yes, you are right on that point of view. And in the same similar line also the management is working to expand its business. So, at the same time, already in the last 2-3 years, the Company increased its turnover, you have seen this average ratio, compounding average ratio of the last 3 years in vice-versa, about 35% is there. So, we have grown to a particular level. From here again, growing to that level, we have to consolidate the business and strengthen all the department. That process is going on. And one way also the management is looking to expand and there is also chance to even book beyond 20,000, 25,000, 30,000 orders also since market also opportunities for themselves is there. Both the ways we are looking that one. So, it is not that only we confined to 20,000 or 22,000.

R. S. Raju

So, that is the reason actually that guidance we said we are strongly that we believe that we will be able to achieve minimum guidance.

HDFC Securities

And this, I think Neera d earlier spoke about some bullet train projects, so which is this 25,000 crore project in that pipeline? And if you can name a few large projects in that 2 trillion pipeline, which you spoke about?

Neerad Sharma

No, Parikshit, I did not mean that. What I was trying to do was to explain to you that how this percentage could vary widely. There is no project line of the bullet train of Rs. 25,000 crore on the horizon. It was in the past.

HDFC Securities

But this 2 trillion, what are the larger opportunities, like, which are the larger projects that you have come up with in your prospect?

Neerad Sharma

The projects, I couldn't identify, but I will talk about the sectors, for example, the metro projects, all the length and breadth of the country, there are metro projects coming up. There are also plans to lay new railway lines. So, these kind of projects, there are projects planned in the water space, RDSS, lot of projects are expected to come up for transmission and distribution. So, these are the verticals that have most of the projects in the pipeline.

Prem Khurana

Sir, I have two questions. One was, would you be able to share some more on the L1 pipeline that you have almost around Rs. 9,000 odd crores, which all segments were taken? What do you think you would, the BharatNet phase bringing awards, is there anything to say about that?

Neerad Sharma

The first question, Mr. Khurana is, a s a matter of policy, we do not really talk about the L1 project except to share the value. We do not know by what time these L1s are going to get converted into LOAs. So, we just talk about because we were asked these questions, so we have put it in number. But yes, this project that you just talked about is Bharat Broad band Net, we also got to know about these L1 projects. So, unless and until we receive a formal communication from the client, we do not really wish to announce that.

Prem Khurana

So, does it mean that we are saying that this 9000 would not include any of these news that has been there in the market because you have yet to receive any communication, and it is still not a part of this?

Neerad Sharma

No, but L1 I shared, we have not, we don't share the details of all the projects, but this is part of the total value that I just. And I said this is upwards of Rs. 9,000 crore. If you are talking about this BharatNet, we understand that some packages have still not been opened, the client will decide which one to award, when to award, this is something that is expected to take some time.

Prem Khurana

If you just to understand the thought process, we recently picked up the smart metering orders where in mind there will be a significant amount of bought out component, I have been assuming you have these BharatNet orders, Bharat Broadband, there again, there will be optical fiber that you would have to source from someone else. So, has there been some change in the thought process wherein we are going for projects wherein there is a significant portion which is in the form of bought out components? Or is it that the size is so favorable that you can't ignore th is sort of opportunities?

Neerad Sharma

These are really the large opportunities and otherwise also in few of the projects that we execute, other than these two new areas, there is a significant part of the bought out items. So, we have been executing those kind of projects in the past. And we have the expertise, and these are the emerging areas, so why not whenever big opportunit ies come up in front of us, it is better to evaluate those opportunities and decide not to participate. So, that is the reason we are always open to look at these kind of opportunities.

Prem Khurana

I was wondering, given the sort of size that we are targeting these days in terms of the project sizes, and given these are fairly large, wherein you won't get to the sort of competition that you would get to have with smaller orders , fair to assume, you are targeting higher margins with these opportunities, then what we generally tend to deliver in terms of average number?

Neerad Sharma

It is difficult Mr. Khu rana to really predict a margin at this point of time. As you rightly highlighted, these are the new areas and we have bagged these projects almost for the first time. So, there is going to be a learning curve, and it is premature really to talk about the potential margin that we will really make on these projects. Let the projects move forward. Let us execute 30%-40% of the project. I think that would be the right time to talk about the margin. Otherwise, this would be little premature to commit a number.

Prem Khurana

And just one last if I may, would you be able to share status on the GMLR project?

Sanjay Pusarla

As far as the GMLR project is concerned, we have already placed the orders for the TBM machines and both the partners and for clearance, we are waiting for the clearance. There was a change in the location and there is a likely that the tunnel length also will get increased. So, that is the reason we are waiting for permission from BMC. It is expected to come in maybe the third quarter end. So, once it comes, then the project will completely take off.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Nikhil Abhyankar from UTI Mutual Fund. Please go ahead.

UTI Mutual Fund

I had a specific question regarding the smart metering project that we are doing, the two projects. Sir, can you tell us about the experience as in how is the execution going on, and when should we expect to complete? Have we completed a part of the project wherein we have already started receiving the….

Neerad Sharma

Firstly, as you are aware, we have bagged three projects. Two projects are from the state of Maharashtra. The order value of these two projects is close to Rs. 5,700 crores. And the third project that we have bagged is from the state of Bihar. The value would be about Rs. 2,300 crores order value. As we have shared in the last conversation with you, we have started the trials for the Bihar state. We have already installed some meters, a couple of lakh meters have already been installed in the state of Bihar. Maharashtra, we have been asked to go a bit slow. The government has decided to defer this project for a few months and as you are aware, the election has already been announced in the state of Maharashtra. So, we will wait for a couple of months’ time, let the new government come to power and then we are hopeful that the execution would start. But to answer your question specifically, this project we have been asked to go slow, Maharashtra project. Bihar, we are making good progress.

Nkhil Abhyankar

I wanted to ask about you mentioned that we have commissioned a couple of million of smart meters. So, have you started receiving annuities on those?

Neerad Sharma

No, we have not received the annuity as per the contract. We have to demonstrate the successful connectivity for the sample size of the project, which is about 5%. So, once we install, it is not about the installation of the meters only. There is a network connectivity. These meters are expected to work like a mobile phone, either on RF , radio frequency or mobile network. Then we have to connect this with the local server that is going to get connected to the billing server of the DISCOMs. So, the annuity hasn't started. Once the sample testing is done, then we will receive the green signal from the client to start rolling out the project, for the rest of the households. Then this cycle would start. As we speak, this hasn't started.

Sanjay Pusarla

One small correction it was not 2 million , it was 2 lakhs . So, that is the reason you are asking whether annuity has started.

UTI Mutual Fund

And just a final question regarding sir, there is a lot of opportunities coming out in the renewable sector, especially in the solar EPC segment. So, are we looking to participate in those?

Neerad Sharma

Currently, we are studying the sector. We are not participating currently in these bi ds, but we will evaluate and decide an appropriate point of time.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Vishal Periwal from Antique Stock Broking. Please go ahead.

Antique Stock Broking

First is on, I think you mentioned investments in subsidiary and loans given totally to roughly Rs. 1,400 odd crores Is it possible to be broad headline subsidiary where the investment is?

Sanjay Pusarla

The investments and loans together Rs. 3,500 crores, out of that u rban is Rs. 229 crores and NCC IHL is Rs. 559 crores and NCC IHMPL that is Rs. 223 crores and Oman it is Rs. 57 crores, Vizag urban is Rs. 416 crores and rest of the other things.

Antique Stock Broking

So, in this smart metering one, how much?

Sanjay Pusarla

Still we have not invested anything, we have invested barely Rs. 10 crores in that and once the financial closure is completed and the project takes off it will be done and as you know that one smart meter project is within NCC itself and the two other projects are with the SPVs.

Antique Stock Broking

The two in subsidiary is the Maharashtra one?

Sanjay Pusarla

Both are in Maharashtra. That is the requirement as per the tender events.

Antique Stock Broking

And on this order book sir, the console minus standalone order book that if you do, then the difference is coming from the Pachhwara or anything else also?

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Priyesh Babariya from Mahindra Manul ife Mutual Fund. Please go ahead.

Mahindra Manul ife Mutual Fund

Sir, just similar question to what Prem was asking. Let us say if we look at the pipeline of around Rs. 2.1 lakh crores that you have mentioned, assuming this sort of projects could be a large project and also, we are looking out to bid for the large projects and especially the projects where the bought out components will be kind of higher. So, what sort of margin profile are we actually looking at or what sort of trajectory do you see , let us say, in the next 2-3 years that factor the execution of these kinds of projects where value addition for us will be less?

Neerad Sharma

This question has already been answered. I have offered a detailed answer to this question. So, anyway, to reiterate, as you highlighted, some of these segments are new segments and it is really premature to talk about the possible margins. In these pipelines, the projects would come up for bidding, a lot of people would bid, we would be successful i n some bids, some bids will not be successful. Then we will start the execution of the project, then that would be the realistic time to talk abo ut the margin that we will really end up with. It is premature to talk about the margin that we will make on these new segments, new projects.

Mahindra Manul ife Mutual Fund

And another thing is that it would be really difficult to actually to change the margin beyond 10% or so, considering that this project will be very large?

Neerad Sharma

See, we have already shared the margin guidance with you, and we do not wish to revise that. The guideline, the margin that we have shared with the state is EBITDA margin of 9.5%-10%. And we continue to stick with the same number. Maybe , we might hit at the lower end of the band, as things stand today. But we have to wait and watch.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Vaibhav Shah from JM Financial. Please go ahead.

JM Financial

Sir, out of our current standalone order book as of September, what would be the executable portion, a ballpark number would do?

Sanjay Pusarla

The order book standing for the standalone as at the end of September is Rs. 48,027 crores. And out of this, generally what happens is that 20% to 30% of this is executable generally. So, if you take 30% also, 12,000 is executable in the current year.

JM Financial

What I meant was, how much is currently under execution? What is the value for which the execution is yet to start?

Sanjay Pusarla

Yet to start there is nothing right now because the project is regarding only the smart meters where the EPC contract was there where there was a whole little bit in the case of Maharashtra but there we are going ahead. As far as the Malad is concerned, I have explained you that there is a Supreme Court order to restart the project and we have restarted the project and the land filling everything is over, the tree cutting is happening, we are waiting for some permissions . When that comes and due to the rains also in Mumbai region , the progress was also not as expected but the coming quarter we are expecting a good progress . A nd as far as the other projects like GMLR, we said very clearly explained before that because of change in alignment or change in the location they are, w e are waiting for the approvals from the BMC. Once that comes in, then that process also will take off. Otherwise, all other projects are going on, running projects.

JM Financial

So, secondly, what would be our order book of JJM projects from UP as of September?

R. S. Raju

By the end of September, it's Rs. 5467 crores.

JM Financial

Earlier indicated that we were targeting to complete the entire book by March ‘2 5. So, what would be a revised target for these now?

R. S. Raju

Like this, as we explained the shortfall in the turnover in the current quarter is also because of the unprecedented rains in UP and also the elections and all. Now we are expecting that majority of the work will be completed by March ‘25 and maybe a fraction of work will be left over which will be done before June 25. That is the timeline.

JM Financial

And lastly, when do we expect to receive the LOAs for the MSRDC 2 packages?

R. S. Raju

We are waiting for the government to come in. And because of the election code, they are not able to do that. Once the elections are over, it's likely can happen.

JM Financial

And in the previous call, we had mentioned that the outstanding receivables from AP , overall, the total number was somewhere close to Rs. 550 crores. So, is the number still the similar?

R. S. Raju

We received around Rs. 200 crores in AP. We received money from AP in respect of A AIB projects and ADB projects, and also APMSIDC projects. What are all projects which are running, other than capital city projects , we have received the mon ey now. The money flow started.

JM Financial

So, only 150 is pending from the capital city and entire running projects, money has been received?

Neerad Sharma

There are two parts as my colleague Mr. Raju has already explained. From the old project that is AP Capital City, we have to receive about Rs. 150 crores. Other than that, there are running projects in which we have already received about Rs. 220 crores. So, it's a running project. What it essentially means is every month we will raise the bill, we will do the work and the client will pay. It's a cycle.

JM Financial

Okay, so what are the current outstanding for the running projects?

Neerad Sharma

Total outstanding including the running projects and the AP Capital City is Rs. 450 crores.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Ankita Shah from Elara Capital. Please go ahead.

Elara Capital

Out of the total inflow that is received in this year, including the L1, how much portion of projects will be from the state of Maharashtra?

Neerad Sharma

The share of projects in Maharashtra is out of the total order book somewhere around...

Elara Capital

Not order book sir, inflows.

Neerad Sharma

42% of this total number.

Neerad Sharma

And if we include the total order book, about 38 55:41___ is from the state of Maharashtra.

Elara Capital

No, that I have seen in the presentation. 42% of the inflows that are already announced in the first half of the year is 42% is from Maharashtra.

R. S. Raju

That amounts to Rs. 2,150 crores.

Elara Capital

Plus L1 also, there will be some orders from Maharashtra.

R. S. Raju

That is a different location that is Nagpur.

Neerad Sharma

Madam, we really don't talk about the L1s till the time we receive the LOA. So, we really don't take that into account until that gets converted into LOA.

Elara Capital

So, this Rs. 2,150 crores doesn't include any L1 orders, only order inflow?

Neerad Sharma

Yes. That's right.

Neerad Sharma

As it stands today madam, if you see that the debt levels are almost like similar for quarter one end and quarter two end. So, the problem is on the collections. So, the expected collections are there. Then definitely the debt level will come down. Maybe by Rs. 500 crores it may come down. So, it will be in the same range as at the end of last year.

Elara Capital

So, you are saying interest expense will be same as last year?

Neerad Sharma

Interest expense if you ask me if the percentage in fact if we compare for the last year and current year for the half year, it was exactly the same number. It was coming to 3.12%, in fact it is a reduction. 3.12% in the last year and 2.99% in the current year, that entire finance cost of netting off the interest income. If you talk about only on the loans that is also like 0.88 % last year and that has come down to 0.86%.

Elara Capital

But the main reduction will happen in the second half of the year only, so what is the expectation of interest cost reduction in the second half of the year?

Neerad Sharma

It will be on the same line, madam. So, it is expected that we'll have the same line, maybe a few points here and there.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Saket Kapoor from Kapoor & Co. Please go ahead.

Kapoor & Co

Sir, when we look at our employee cost and the finance cost Q-on-Q basis, that has gone up. So, what explains this increase in employee benefit expenses from Rs. 182 crore to Rs. 196 crore?

R. S. Raju

Two things in this. The increase is on account of one is on the salary increase which is about 8% and on account of the count of employees increased, the number of employees also increased , that is about 2.5%. So, considering that, that increase is there.

Kapoor & Co

And about the finance cost also sir, although you mentioned that as a percentage of turnover , it has reduced but on absolute number , it has gone up Q -on-Q although the turnover on consol level is lower.

R. S. Raju

If you see the immediate quarter, immediate quarter it was Rs. 155 crores and the current quarter at the consolidated level is Rs. 166 crores.

Kapoor & Co

Yes sir, that is why my question. What explains this increase there?

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Shouvik Chakraborty from Dolat Capital. Please go ahead.

Dolat Capital

Can you just mention the revenue book for the JJM project in quarter 2? I missed that number.

R. S. Raju

The revenue for the JJM project in the Q2 is Rs. 1100 crores.

R. S. Raju

Rs. 5,460 crores.

Moderator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will take that as our last question for today. I would now like to hand the conference over to Mr. Vaibhav Shah for closing comments. Over to you, sir.

JM Financial

There is one question from my end. Sir, we had mentioned that the order book for JJM was around Rs. 6,000 crores as of March ‘24. Now it is 5,500. So, how do we explain the execution of Rs. 1100 crores in 2Q?

R. S. Raju

Just to give you a clarification, the order book which was received by us is around Rs. 17,000 crores and the work executed till date that is end of 30th September is Rs. 11,137 crores and the balance order book as at the end of September is Rs. 5,467 crores. So, if there are some other numbers which we have told earlier, please, they stand corrected now.

JM Financial

Sir, what was the turnover in the first half?

R. S. Raju

In the first half, it is Rs. 2,332 crores. The quarter one is Rs. 1,212 crores and the quarter two it is Rs. 1,120 crores.

JM Financial

What was your order book as of March ‘24?

R. S. Raju

Rs. 7,700 crores.

JM Financial

Thank you. Thanks a lot for giving us the opportunity to host the call. So, any closing remarks from your end?

Neerad Sharma

Thank you very much for participating in the interactive meeting that we have had. Should you have any more questions, you are free to get in touch with us. We would be very happy to answer any questions that you might have subsequently. Goodbye. Thank you very much.

Moderator

Thank you. On behalf of JM Financial, that concludes this conference. Thank you all for joining us. You may now disconnect your lines.