MAM
Vidya Balan brand ambassador for Samajwadi Pension Yojna
NEW DELHI: Indian film actress Vidya Balan has been made the brand ambassador for Samajwadi Pension Yojna or Samajwadi Pension Scheme by the Uttar Pradesh government aimed at empowering the State’s financially poor women.
“This (monthly) pension scheme is an important step towards women empowerment,” Balan said in Lucknow at a function organised by the State Government to announce this particular scheme and dwell on other pro-people government projects.
According to Balan, empowering women is relevant and important as womenfolk not only work for their own development, but also their whole family.
In the past also Balan had been roped in for various government initiatives at the both the Central and State levels, including those revolving around themes of importance of general cleanliness and having toilets in village homes.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, while expressing gratitude to Balan for agreeing to be associated with the scheme, said that as many more people know the film actress, the scheme is certain to get more exposure and become popular, especially in rural areas.
The Chief Minister added that he’s slowly learning the importance of effective PR activities and having celeb brand ambassadors for UP government’s initiatives, many of which, though benefitting the people, did not get the desired publicity in the media and elsewhere in the past.
Under the pension scheme the State government is proposing to directly transfer into the bank accounts of beneficiary-women of 55 lakh (550,0000) families a sum of Rs. 500 monthly.
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.
