MAM
Dinesh Malhotra joins Carat Fresh Integrated as SVP
MUMBAI: Aegis Media Group‘s activation company, Carat Fresh Integrated, has appointed Dinesh Malhotra as senior vice president and head of business.
Malhotra moves in from International Development Enterprises, where he was senior marketing specialist working as marketing advisor for food security and poverty alleviation programmes in India and other International markets.
Said chairman India and CEO South East Asia Ashish Bhasin, “With the spectacular success and growth that Carat Fresh Integrated has achieved over the last 6 months, having a head as experienced as Dinesh Malhotra will be a big help. Dinesh brings with him over 28 years of experience and with Carat Fresh Integrated‘s special thrust on activation, both rural and urban this will be a unique strength. The fast growth has encouraged us to invest in this important area of marketing communications.”
Malhotra started his marketing career with Lintas IMAG in 1999 and after 10 years, he became the president of Linterland.
Added Malhotra, “I am delighted to join the Aegis Media family and am excited about the great potential Carat Fresh Integrated has since there are no professional players in the market with knowledge and experience in both urban & rural activation.”
Carat‘s clientele includes Idea Cellular, Lipton, Future Group and Mills & Boons.
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.
