Brands
Polycab plugs into Ganesh Utsav with comfort zones and safety towers
MUMBAI: Powering devotion with a human touch, Polycab is lighting up Mumbai’s ganesh utsav with installations that go well beyond wires and cables.
This year, the brand has shifted gears from product promotions to people-first gestures, creating comfort zones, safety watch towers and breezy walkways at two of the city’s biggest festive hotspots, Lalbaugcha Raja and Juhu Beach.
At Lalbaugcha Raja, where queues stretch for hours, Polycab has turned a regular bus stop into a “comfort zone” with mobile charging points and sheltered spaces offering respite from the city’s muggy weather. Devotees also find an experiential walkway with Polycab fans for a refreshing darshan route, and even a dedicated rest zone for Mumbai police personnel keeping the crowds in order.
Meanwhile at Juhu Beach, a prime immersion site, Polycab’s branded safety watchtowers are helping authorities monitor the massive gatherings, adding an extra layer of security to the celebrations.
“Ganesh Chaturthi is about unity and devotion. With these installations, we want to offer comfort and care to communities, going beyond products to build meaningful connections,” said Polycab India Ltd, senior vice president, brand & marcom, Shwetal Basu.
The initiative doesn’t stop in Mumbai. Pune is set to see branded gates and banners at major pandals, while Hyderabad’s Khairatabad ganesh pandal will feature a Polycab-branded police booth with water and charging facilities, along with a striking LED arch for devotees.
From Puri’s rath yatra to ganesh utsav in Mumbai, Polycab has been steadily building a reputation for festive connections powered by care, not cables.
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.
