MAM
DDB Mudra south & east appoints Rajat Ray as associate vice president
MUMBAI: DDB Mudra south & east has roped in Rajat Ray as its associate vice president. Based out of the agency’s Bengaluru office, he will be reporting to DDB Mudra south & east executive vice president Sujay Ghosh. .
Ray joins DDB Mudra, fresh from a five year stint at Ogilvy & Mather, where he was last designated client services director and led the consolidated advertising team on the IBM account. Before that, he was associated with prominent agencies like Euro RSCG, Ogilvy (earlier stint) and Fountainhead.
Ray has had extensive experience across sectors both B2C and B2B, including but not limited to FMCG, consumer durables, real estate, healthcare, lifestyle, BFSI and IT and brings to the table, a high degree of proficiency in digital marketing.
Ray said, “I’m extremely excited about my new assignment at DDB Mudra and look forward to navigate through the unique opportunities and challenges that the alco-bev category presents. In the short span while I’ve been here, I’ve been struck by the overall levels of energy and enthusiasm. I am impressed with some of the work emanating from this office clearly indicative of the high level of strategic thinking and creative talent it has at its disposal.”
Cherian added, “I am happy to welcome Rajat to the DDB family. Rajat brings with him strong creative agency experience handling global brands & businesses. He is an excellent people’s person and demonstrates strong leadership skills.”
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.
