Government has sought an explanation from unlisted companies for not appointing women directors on their Boards which is mandatory under the law. Every company having paid-up share capital of at least Rs 100 crore or a minimum turnover of Rs 300 crore were required to have at least one woman director on their boards by March 31, 2015. Non-compliance of which can attract penalties. Most provisions of the new law for companies came into effect from April 1, 2014. The Corporate Affairs ministry has decided to initiate action after noticing that many companies are yet to comply with the woman director norms, according to sources. The Registrar of Companies, RoCs has started issuing show cause notices in this regard, sources said.<br/><br/>After receiving companies' responses, the ministry would decide on appropriate action against them. Sources said the ministry has also sought information from SEBI on companies against whom action has been taken for non compliance of this provision. Earlier this month, leading stock exchanges BSE and NSE issued notices to more than 700 companies for not complying with woman director norms. In February 2014, SEBI had asked listed entities to appoint at least one woman director on their Boards by October 1, 2014 and the deadline was later extended to April 1, 2015.