Brands
Bisleri acquires branding rights of Mumbai’s metro station
Mumbai: Mineral water brand Bisleri International Pvt Ltd has acquired Station Branding Rights (SBR) of the Western Express Highway metro station. With this, the station will now be called ‘Bisleri Western Express Highway’ metro station.
The brand has also entered into an agreement with Mumbai Metro for putting up multiple kiosks across key stations making healthy mineral water easily accessible to commuters. Apart from selling the range of water, fizzy fruit drinks, and purifiers, the kiosks will also offer consumers to experience their newly launched hand purifiers aiding consumers to maintain hygiene, said the statement.
The newly christened station was inaugurated on Monday at an event which was attended by top management of Bisleri, Times OOH & Mumbai Metro officials. “Station branding is an established concept in the Indian OOH industry. This opportunity helps the brand build a unique and distinctive brand asset. Bisleri was keen to be present in a big way at Mumbai Metro. We worked closely with them and Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd for the execution of this one-of-its-kind campaign,” stated Times OOH COO Rohit Chopra.
Speaking about this new initiative, Bisleri International Pvt Ltd CEO Angelo George said, “We are proud to join hands with the Mumbai Metro Authority to obtain the naming rights of one of Mumbai’s centrally located metro stations. Bisleri Western Express Highway metro station, previously known as Western Express Highway, is a bustling hub on the remarkably seamless multi-rail transit network serving commuters, offering them immense value and connectivity.”
“At Bisleri, we are constantly evolving ways to improve our consumer engagement through multiple touchpoints. Bisleri kiosks will be placed across all stations in the Metro for commuters to buy our products. With a customized look and feel of station branding and the kiosks, Bisleri aims to create brand experiences that will become an integral part of commuters’ daily life,” he added.
As a part of its social responsibility program called ‘Bottles for Change,’ Bisleri will also install plastic recycling bins across the station & educative communication to create awareness about proper ways to dispose of used plastic, the brand stated.
Brands
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.
