MAM
Tata Consumer brews a change as Sharat Verma takes the top role
MUMBAI: The kettle’s whistling at Tata Consumer Products and this time, it’s not just the tea. The company has announced a leadership shake-up, with veteran marketer Sharat Verma set to take over as president of packaged beverages ford India & South Asia (including Organic India) from 1 December 2025.
Verma, who moves from Procter & Gamble, brings over two decades of brand-building prowess, having helmed iconic names like Ariel, Tide, Gillette, Oral-B, and Olay across India, ASEAN, China, and the Middle East. At P&G, he led the 0.5 billion dollars Fabric Care business, clocking a 15 per cent CAGR in one of the most competitive categories. His “Share The Load” campaign remains a landmark in cause-driven brand storytelling, marrying social commentary with sales success.
The appointment follows the resignation of Puneet Das, who exits after eight years at Tata Consumer to pursue new opportunities. Das, who played a pivotal role in the packaged beverages portfolio, leaves behind a strong growth legacy. His departure is effective 3 November 2025.
Another notable exit is Soulfull business president Prashant Parameswaran who steps down on 15 December 2025 for personal reasons. Parameswaran, the driving force behind the Tata Soulfull brand, is credited with positioning the homegrown breakfast brand as a challenger in India’s healthy foods segment.
With Verma’s appointment, Tata Consumer is signalling a renewed focus on consumer-led innovation and storytelling that resonates across Bharat and beyond. The move also reflects a broader trend of FMCG majors courting talent with both local insight and global polish.
In a statement, Tata Consumer Products ltd. said the leadership changes form part of its ongoing transformation to strengthen its core businesses and unlock growth across markets.
For Tata Consumer the company that put the world’s most loved chai on millions of tables this is more than a handover. It’s a fresh blend of strategy and storytelling, brewed perfectly for its next growth chapter.
Brands
Maharashtra panel orders Lodha to refund Rs 5 crore to homebuyers
Consumer court flags unfair practices in long-running property dispute case
MUMBAI: In a sharp rebuke to one of India’s biggest real estate players, the Maharashtra State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Macrotech Developers to refund nearly Rs 5 crore to a senior citizen couple, Uttam and Anindita Chatterjee. The ruling, delivered on March 13, 2026, calls out the developer for “deficiency in service” and “unfair trade practices”, bringing closure to a dispute that has stretched over a decade.
The case traces back to 2015, when the couple booked a 3-BHK flat at World Towers in Lower Parel for Rs 12.22 crore, with possession promised within a year. What followed was a series of changes that complicated matters. After deciding to exit the project, they were persuaded to shift to a 4-BHK in another development priced at Rs 8 crore, with delivery scheduled for 2018. However, within months, the price was allegedly increased to Rs 10 crore. After demonetisation reshaped the market, similar flats were reportedly being offered at lower prices, but the couple were not given the benefit.
Despite paying over Rs 2.83 crore, the couple neither received possession nor clarity. Instead, in 2018, the developer unilaterally cancelled the booking, retained part of the amount as earnest money, and argued that the buyers were investors rather than consumers. The commission rejected this claim, observing that casual references to “investment” do not take away consumer rights when the purchase intent is residential.
The bench also held that the developer could not penalise buyers for payment delays while failing to meet its own delivery commitments. It noted the lack of formal documentation for revised terms and termed the prolonged retention of funds without delivering a home as exploitative.
As part of its order, the commission directed the developer to refund Rs 2.83 crore paid by the couple, along with interest at 10 per cent per annum, amounting to around Rs 2.12 crore. In addition, Rs 1 lakh has been awarded for mental agony and Rs 50,000 towards litigation costs, taking the total payout to over Rs 5 crore. The developer has been asked to comply within two months.
For now, the ruling serves as a reminder that in real estate, shifting terms and delayed promises can carry a significant cost.
