MAM
HDFC Bank, Escotel’s co-branded international debit card
NEW DELHI: HDFC Bank and Escotel which claims to be the leading cellular service provider in Kerala, UP, Uttranchal and Haryana, have announced the launch of the HDFC Bank Escotel co-branded international debit card. Both parties offer customers benefits through the first of its kind debit card.
For an Escotel customer, whether prepaid or post paid, the debit card will come virtually free, as the Rs 150 paid towards the cost of the card will be credited back to him as talk time. This will be done by way of first free credit of Rs 100 upon registration and second free credit of Rs 50 on first usage of the debit card at merchant outlets within 31 days of card issuance.
Escotel’s CEO Rajan Swaroop made the following remarks about the endeavour. “It has always been our effort to provide our customers with value that goes far beyond the normal benefits of mobile usage. That is why we have entered into this tie-up with HDFC Bank to give our customers a whole range of benefits and value-additions. We are sure the HDFC Bank Escotel Debit Card will find wide acceptance among our customers.”
An official release informs that among the exclusive benefits being offered to postpaid customers is the waiver of Rs 532 activation fees along with the waiver of the national roaming rental worth Rs 1,200 for a lifetime. On the other hand, the prepaid customer gets an exclusive offer of credit of Rs 50 worth talk time on his first five recharges.
HDFC bank has also offered to waive off the one per cent processing fee on HDFC Bank personal loans and two per cent on HDFC Bank two-wheeler loans. The initiative also has a social side to it. The two companies will also be donating two rupees to People for Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) compassionate citizen programme against every co-brand card issued in Kerala, states the release.
Brands
Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI:Â Jubilant FoodWorks Limited has landed in a tax tussle after receiving a GST demand of Rs 47.5 crore from the office of the additional commissioner of CGST and central excise in Thane, Maharashtra.
The order, issued under the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, relates to an alleged incorrect classification of certain services under the category of restaurant services. According to the tax authorities, this classification resulted in a short payment of goods and services tax for the period between the financial years 2019-20 and 2021-22.
The demand includes Rs 47.5 crore in GST along with an equal amount as penalty, in addition to applicable interest. The order was received by the company on March 13, 2026.
In a regulatory filing to the BSE Limited and the National Stock Exchange of India Limited, the company said it disagrees with the order and believes its arguments were not adequately considered.
The company is preparing to challenge the decision and plans to file an appeal. It added that once the redressal process is complete, the demand is likely to be dropped.
Despite the sizeable figure attached to the notice, the company said it does not expect any material impact on its financials, operations or other activities.
The disclosure was signed by Suman Hegde, EVP and chief financial officer, who confirmed that the company received the order at 19:06 IST on March 13 and has already initiated steps to contest it.
The development places the quick service restaurant major in the middle of a tax debate that could hinge on how certain restaurant-linked services are classified under GST rules. For now, the company appears ready to take the matter from the tax office to the appeals desk.
