MAM
Dainik Bhaskar bets on broadcast veteran to crack the south
NEW DELHI: Dainik Bhaskar Group is punching south. The Hindi newspaper giant has hired Durga Chakraborty as corporate sales head for south India, banking on her 20-year track record across broadcast, print and digital to unlock growth in markets where it needs it most.
Chakraborty arrives from Sony Pictures Networks India, where she spent eight years as associate vice president leading sales for SAB TV, the broadcaster’s free-to-air channels, kids’ programming and English entertainment cluster. Those who’ve worked with her say she’s handled heavyweight client mandates and steered regional expansion strategies across platforms.
At Dainik Bhaskar, she’ll report to chief operating officer for corporate sales Mayar Penkar. Her brief: drive corporate sales strategy, design customer-centric offerings and build teams capable of delivering on DB Corp’s advertising and brand solutions ambitions in the region.
The appointment signals intent. Dainik Bhaskar is scaling its southern footprint, and Chakraborty’s hire suggests it’s serious about translating regional presence into advertising revenue. Penkar reckons her industry chops and client focus will help forge stronger market partnerships.
Her career spans stints at Turner Broadcasting, where she grew regional revenues by 40 per cent, and Radio City, along with a detour to Dallas selling digital products for the Dallas Observer. Now she’s back, tasked with making the south pay for India’s biggest Hindi newspaper group.
Whether she can crack a region dominated by vernacular players and entrenched competitors will determine if this bet pays off.
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.
