MAM
Westin sponsors ace golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar
MUMBAI: Westin Hotels and Resorts, part of Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, will be the official sponsor for Indian professional golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar. The sponsorship follows the Westin and SPG sponsorship of the Delhi Daredevils Team during IPL 2011.
As part of the agreement, the golfer will wear the Westin logo on his T-shirt at all the events he participates in this year, and will also be a part of Westin’s promotional campaigns. He will make appearances at Starwood hotels throughout the year on behalf of Westin and Starwood’s award-winning loyalty programme, Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG). Through the SPG MomentsSM programme, which gives members access to unique experiences, Starwood Preferred Guest members can bid StarpointsSM to participate in exclusive golf clinics led by Gaganjeet Bhullar.
Westin Hotels & Resorts global brand leader Brian Povinelli said, “Our sponsorship of Gaganjeet Bhullar highlights our emphasis on promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in a way that will resonate with Westin loyalists and attract new travelers and golf enthusiasts to the brand. A long-time fan of Westin, Bhullar credits the brand’s wellness programming with helping him perform at his best. We are thrilled to sponsor him as he kicks off a new year of world-class golf tournaments and ensure he is prepared to excel on the course when staying at our hotels.”
Bhullar said, “I am excited to become part of the Westin family and am truly a long-time fan of the brand. I have stayed at Westin hotels all over the world and I credit the brand’s Heavenly Bed and Westin Workout with helping me perform at my absolute best while on the road.”
Starwood Asia Pacific Hotels & Resorts Managing Director India and Regional Vice President South Asia Dilip Puri said, “We are extremely proud to be a sponsor of Gaganjeet and do believe he has immense potential to emerge as a name to reckon with on the global Golf scene. Our association with him is about building a deeper relationship with our guests. We want to offer our guests exclusive experiences that they are most passionate about. And through our collaboration with Bhullar, our guests can connect with the elements of well being that help them to stay committed to being well and drive them to maintain the success they have worked so hard to get.”
Twenty-five year-old Gaganjeet Bhullar is currently the youngest Indian professional golfer to be ranked in the World’s Top 100. Born in Kapurthala, Punjab, Bhullar turned professional in 2006. In 2009, Bhullar finished second in the SAIL Open tournament in India as part of the Asian Tour and finished 5th at the Black Mountain Masters. In 2009, Bhullar had his first victory on the Asian Tour at the Indonesian President Invitational. Gaganjeet, known for consistently playing at the top level, is the first Indian golfer to win the Venetian Macau Open. His recent wins at Macau and Taipei reinforce his Asian Tour performance.
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.
