MAM
Femina Miss India gets Pantaloons as title sponsor
MUMBAI: Femina Miss India has roped in Future Group’s flagship brand and retail venture Pantaloons, as the title sponsor for the 44th Femina Miss India Pageant. The deal extends for a period of three years, thus the event will henceforth be titled ‘Pantaloons Femina Miss India.’
The previous year, Pantaloons was the associate sponsor for the event, while Ponds was the title sponsor.
Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited managing director Kishore Biyani said, “The new Indian woman is conscious of her image, her fashion, as well as her abilities, and is playing a larger role in the society today. We feel that both Pantaloons and Femina are both, strong brands, catering to the needs and aspirations of this woman. Pantaloons, has therefore decided to be associated with the Femina Miss India pageant.”
Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. managing director Vineet Jain said, “Over the years Femina Miss India has been the platform for Indian beauties to enter the world of fashion and glamour. We are delighted to enter the 44th year of Femina Miss India in partnership with Pantaloons. We are sure that this association will take the pageant to newer heights.”
Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited president marketing Sanjeev Agrawal said, “As Pantaloons stands for fresh fashion and Femina Miss India promotes fresh talent, our association is just the right fit. Together Pantaloons & Femina Miss India will groom fresh faces of India, who will take on the world.”
With a 44 year old legacy and since it first began, the Femina Miss India pageant has changed considerably. The focus has shifted from finding the prettiest face in the country to finding a set of women having the level of finesse and class required to compete internationally.
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.
