MAM
Star Jalsha associates with Pashchim Banga Bigyan to promote show
MUMBAI: Star India’s Bengali general entertainment channel (GEC) has tied up with Pashchim Banga Bigyan Mancha (West Bengal Science Forum) for the promotion of its anti-superstition show Bidhir Badhan. The tie up began as a launch initiative, has now turned into a mass movement.
Bidhir Bidhan speaks against the evils of blind faith and superstition. Taking forward the “Cholo Paltai” initiative Star Jalsa reaches out to the masses spreading the message of anti-superstition. This reflects the changing times and brings home a very strong social message against superstition. The core content Bidhir Bidhan endeavours to portray the futility of believing in unscientific prejudices and superstitions. The show tries to unveil the acts of unscrupulous people who befool commoners in the name of religion taking advantage of their dire mental condition through acts of deceit.
Hence Bidhir Bidhan associated itself with Paschim Banga Vigyan Mancha (West Bengal Science Forum), an autonomous body propagating the involvement of science in our day to day life, to educate the commoners against superstition and unscientific ideas. The platform of Vigyan Mancha’s Anti Superstition Programme has been used to promote ‘Bidhir Bidhan’ across localities and marketplaces. 70 locations in Kolkata and nine districts of Bengal have been identified to conduct the roadshows and directly reach out to the TG with the show message. Daily shows of 2-3 hours duration are being performed in multiple localities to spread the message of awareness.
For the launch event of the show, Star Jalsha in collaboration with the Pashchim Banga Bigyan Mancha had showcased some instances of quack practices that often mislead people into believing the supernatural powers of some men thus turning them into demi-gods. Scientists along with the cast and crew of Bidhir Bidhan spoke about the importance of such a project. It is crucial that the perils of such superstitions be reflected in the popular television entertainment so it reaches out to the homes of millions of TV viewers.
Paschim Banga Vigyan Mancha was formed in the year 1986 and is one of the largest People Science Movement organisations of India. For over 25 years the organisation has been working on programmes like ‘Anti-superstition Movement’ to educate the commoners against superstition and unscientific ideas.
Bidhir Bidhan, a production of Grassroots Productions, owned by renowned Bengali actor Jeet, debuted in Star Jalsha from November 2012 and is aired Mon-Sat at 5:30pm.
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.
