MAM
Suvarana ropes in Group M’s Nathan as national head for sales
BANGALORE: Star’s Kannada offering Suvarana TV has roped in Vinod Nathan as National Head-Sales.
In this role, Nathan will be responsible for the entire gamut of sales activities across locations for Suvarna TV, and regional heads will in turn report to him. He will be based out of Bangalore, reporting to Suvarna business head Anup Chandrashekharan.
“Suvarna has been on rapid growth path in last 1 year with over 100 per cent growth; Sales is a key area at this junction and we found the right person in Vinod as he has expertise and experience in both media planning and media sales,” said Chandrashekharan.
Nathan brings to Suvarna 14 years of experience in media planning and media sales. Before moving to Suvarana, he worked with agency Group M Media (Mindshare) as Director, Client Leadership.
A post graduate in marketing and broadcast management, Vinod started his career with Times Group (Times Publishing House Ltd.,) where he spent about eight years, then moved on to work at Zee Telefilms (2003 to 2006). He joined Mindshare in 2006, where he worked on some of the leading brands including IBM, United Spirits and Landmark Group.
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.
