MAM
Havas Worldwide India (creative) bolsters its senior leadership team
Mumbai: Havas Worldwide India (creative) has added key profiles to its strategy and account management teams with senior appointments. Arthi Basak has joined as EVP & planning head – West. Esha Datta and Sougata Kundu have been roped in as vice president, client servicing. While Arthi and Esha will be part of the Havas Mumbai office, Sougata will work out of Havas Gurgaon, the company said in a statement.
Commenting on the appointments, Havas Worldwide India (creative) managing director Manas Lahiri said, “Havas Worldwide is currently at a very interesting growth stage with a client roster of well-established traditional as well as many new-age brands. Marketers are now increasingly seeking our expertise in creating cutting-edge, innovative solutions that are strategic, tactical, and out-of-the-box. With Arthi, Esha and Sougata on board, we will be able to further strengthen our client partnerships.”
Basak is a strategic brand expert with 20 years of experience delivering high-impact marketing and communication solutions. She has conceived and created consumer-centric creative assets and campaigns with integrated brand solutions & omnichannel rollout for brands including Mahindra XUV, Nivea, Oreo, Blue Star, Taneira, Whisper, Pantene, and Head & Shoulders.
Datta is an advertising professional with over 14 years of experience across categories like electronics, retail, FMCG beauty and non-beauty to name a few. Some of the biggest brands she has managed over this period are GSK, Dell, P&G, Wipro, Ferrero India, ITC, Sony, and Panasonic.
In a career spanning over 16 years, Sougata has managed a diverse set of clients across FMCG, telecom, automobiles, food retail, footwear, aviation, DTH, liquor, BFSI, sports & entertainment, tourism & HA. Some of the most prominent brands he has worked on include Airtel, Dominos, Maruti and Hero Honda.
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.
