MAM
VML Qais appoints Natasha Kapur as business director
MUMBAI: VML Qais has appointed Natasha Kapur as business director. This appointment marks the expansion of VML Qais‘ India operations to Delhi. The Delhi office will offer digitally-led marketing experiences with in-house service lines across strategic planning, creative, research and analysis, social and digital media.
Kapur joins VML Qais with over a decade of experience in digital marketing, brand management and strategic initiatives across India, Asia Pacific, USA and Europe. She has worked with companies in the media, advertising and telecom sectors. She has conceptualised, co-created and driven digital marketing strategy and integrated marketing campaigns, both at a global and national level, building many successful brands during her career.
In her earlier role, Kapur was senior manager – strategy and communications at Sony Mobile. She was responsible for developing and driving integrated marketing strategy and communications for Sony Mobile‘s mobile content and services ecosystem, that included mobile app stores, graphics, games, music, movies and device management services on a global level.
VML Qais Asia CEO Tripti Lochan said, “With Natasha‘s rich experience in brand building using digital and new media, platforms, partnerships and tools, she is ideally suited to join our team and provide thought leading, cutting-edge digital marketing experiences to clients.”
“I‘m really looking forward to building great brands for companies by creating engaging experiences for consumers wherever they live in the digital universe, and am pleased to be joining the VML Qais team during this exciting stage in their India journey,” added Kapur.
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.
