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Castrol India rolls out mobile classrooms for truckers in Uttar Pradesh
MUMBAI: Castrol India has launched mobile classrooms for truck drivers in Uttar Pradesh, taking training on wheels to highways and halt points under its Sarathi Mitra initiative.
Branded ‘highways as classroom’, the programme deploys a specially designed truck that will travel to 46 locations in the state in its first phase, offering bite-sized lessons in road safety, health, financial planning and digital literacy.
The move targets a workforce critical to India’s supply chain but often exposed to accidents, poor health outcomes and limited access to formal education. By meeting drivers where they work, Castrol aims to nudge safer driving habits, improve wellbeing and strengthen household finances.
The company is also extending the programme online through Digital Sarathi Mitra, a platform providing round-the-clock access to learning modules and practical information.
“Truck drivers are the backbone of our logistics ecosystem,” said Castrol India managing director Kedar Lele. “These initiatives are about helping them drive safe and live safe, while making learning inclusive and sustainable.”
Launched in 2017, Sarathi Mitra has trained more than 2.5 lakh truckers nationwide. Castrol said the expansion underlines its push beyond lubricants, investing in human capital to support safer roads and more resilient families.
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Jubilant FoodWorks faces Rs 47.5 crore GST demand, plans appeal
Tax authorities flag alleged misclassification of restaurant services
MUMBAI: 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.
