Brands
Rajesh Rana takes the reins as ITDC’s marketing chief
MUMBAI: Hospitality veteran Rajesh Rana has been appointed director (commercial & marketing) at India Tourism Development Corp (ITDC). The ministry of tourism, in an order dated 10 March 2025, confirmed the appointment committee of the cabinet’s (ACC) nod for his five-year stint—or until further notice. Rana took charge today, 17 March 2025.
A hospitality honcho with 26 years in the trade, Rana brings deep expertise in catering, tourism, marketing and business operations. An alumnus of the Institute of Hotel Management, Lucknow, with an MBA in marketing, he started out as a management trainee with Jaypee Hotels before making his mark at PSU THDC India Ltd.
Rana’s career took off when he joined IRCTC in 2005, where he spent 19 years masterminding hospitality and tourism strategies. He climbed the ladder from deputy general manager to general manager, steering operations across regional, zonal and corporate offices. His knack for product development, marketing and risk management has left a lasting imprint on railway catering and tourism.
Before his ITDC move, Rana served as general manager at IRCTC’s corporate office in New Delhi, also doubling as chief risk officer. With ITDC now in his hands, expect a shake-up in tourism marketing and commercial strategy.
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.
