MAM
Skoda India launches all-new WhatsApp Bot for buyers
MUMBAI: With the lockdown and social distancing norms keeping customers at home, Skoda Auto India and PHD Media have come together to launch an all-new WhatsApp bot for the automobile manufacturer’s customer engagement.
Meant for both current owners of Skoda vehicles and for prospective buyers, the WhatsApp Chat service provides easy and convenient access for customers in need of information. The service also ensures that consumers can avail of automated customer-care on a 24*7 basis. This tool is not only expected to boost overall customer engagement and improve communication, but it will also strengthen marketing via automation.
Tarun Jha, head of marketing at Skoda Auto India said, “In times like these, it’s important to turn to innovative, new solutions every day. With the WhatsApp Bot, we want to reassure our customers that we are always available and easily accessible for any query they may have. In light of the lockdown, it has become essential to provide customers with alternative avenues of communication and our on-demand customer support offering is going to do just that. The added personal touch of chat is also slated to further raise customer engagement.”
PHD Media India CEO Monaz Todywalla said about the Whatsapp Bot: “We are essentially automating marketing with aided product discovery. The new service also promises to engage consumers significantly more because of the graphical output and easy notifications for opt-in users.”
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.
