Akzo Nobel India Limited has announced a key change in its senior management with the resignation of Ms. Neelima Kataria, HR Director, who is stepping down to pursue new professional opportunities. The announcement was made through a regulatory filing on February 17, 2026, under Regulation 30 of SEBI Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements.

Resignation Details

Ms. Kataria submitted her resignation letter on February 17, 2026, which was promptly accepted by the management on the same date. The resignation follows her decision to explore new professional avenues after a successful four-year tenure with the company.

Transition Timeline

The company has structured a comprehensive transition plan to ensure continuity of operations. Ms. Kataria will remain in her role until the closure of business hours on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, completing her full notice period as per her appointment terms. During this transition period, she will assist with all necessary handover activities and provide support to maintain operational continuity.

Management Response

In her resignation letter addressed to Joint MD & CEO Mr. Rajiv Rajgopal, Ms. Kataria expressed gratitude for the trust and support received during her journey with Akzo Nobel India Limited. She highlighted her pride in the collective achievements and wished the organization continued growth and success.

The management has acknowledged her contributions and expressed appreciation for her service during her tenure at the company. The formal acceptance of her resignation was confirmed by Mr. Rajiv Rajgopal on February 17, 2026.

Regulatory Compliance

The announcement complies with SEBI regulations for disclosure of changes in senior management personnel. As HR Director, Ms. Kataria qualifies as Senior Management Personnel under Regulation 16(1)(d) of SEBI Listing Regulations, 2015, necessitating the formal disclosure to stock exchanges BSE and NSE.

Akzo Nobel India Limited has successfully resolved a GST litigation matter, with the Chhattisgarh GST Department's Appeal Order completely nullifying the original tax demand. The company received the favorable Appeal Order on February 16, 2026, marking the conclusion of proceedings that began in April 2024.

Original GST Demand Details

The litigation originated from an order received by the company on April 30, 2024, from the Chhattisgarh GST Department. The order covered periods 2018-19 and 2020-21, involving disallowance of input tax credit under Section 73 of the CGST/SGST Act, 2017.

Appeal Process and Resolution

In response to the original demand, Akzo Nobel India filed an appeal along with comprehensive supporting documents within the specified timeframe. The company's proactive approach in contesting the demand proved successful.

The Superintendent (Appeals) of the Raipur, Chhattisgarh GST Department conducted a thorough review of the company's response and supporting documentation. Following this review, the department issued an Appeal Order dated January 29, 2026, which the company received on February 16, 2026 at 11:00 am.

Favorable Outcome

The Appeal Order delivered a completely favorable outcome for the company:

The ruling sets the demand amount to zero, effectively annulling the original Demand Order in its entirety. This resolution eliminates any financial liability that was initially claimed by the GST department.

Regulatory Compliance

The company has disclosed this development in compliance with Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, and SEBI circular SEBI/HO/CFD/CFDPoD-1/P/CIR/2023/123 dated July 13, 2023. This update follows the company's earlier disclosure of the pending litigation made on May 1, 2024.

The successful resolution of this GST matter demonstrates the company's effective legal strategy and compliance management, concluding the litigation without any financial impact on its operations.