The historical Gwalior Trade Fair has been extended from January 16 to 31. Commerce and Industry Minister Yashodhra Raje Scindia and Trade Fair authorities took the decision after the traders and media raised hue and cry about the issue.
Earlier, the officials of trade fair and district administration were adamant on running the fair from December 16 to January 15, 2015 only. The Trade Fair authorities got the half prepared Trade Fair inaugurated on December 16 when many showrooms were not prepared. The traders and media opposed this situation.
Ultimately, the district administration, secretary Trade Fair authority and Industry Minister Yashodhra Raje Scindia relented and extended the Trade Fair from January 16 to 31. In the hands of the administrative officers the scene of Gwalior Trade Fair is diminishing year after year. This is seen by the cultural programmes organised in the Trade Fair where the number of visitors has decreased very much. The main opposition of the traders is to organise the Trade Fair only 30 days only by the administrative officers. In this connection the traders said that they would have suffered a loss by establishing business in the Trade Fair for 30 days only.
The number of tourists and customers are adversely affected due to rains in cold season, reduction in the facilities to the traders and shivering cold. Eight to 10 days are taken by the shopkeepers to establish their show room and shops as such they get only 50 to 20 days to conduct the business. The media also opposed this situation.