The Chandigarh Pavilion at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) being held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi promotes register binding, soft toy making, handicraft items and artificial jewellery as some of the prominent industries of the city.

The city stall hardly seems to be living upto this year’s fair theme, which is ‘Export of Services’.

The Chandigarh Administration, through the Industries department, has set up the pavilion to display the city’s wares.

Around 14 entrepreneurs have set up stalls, which include readymade garments, handicraft items, phulkari suits, night lamps, artificial jewellery, handmade paintings, organic food products and health products, soft toys and stationery items.

An official claimed that the UT Administration had reduced the budgetary allocation for the fair to almost half this year.

It was after funds were diverted from the Department of Social Welfare that it was possible for the UT to participate in the fair.

The fact that the pavilion had to be put up in haste can be gauged from the fact that it does not see participation of many entrepreneurs.

As compared to other pavilions, the Chandigarh venue has failed to attract crowds since the fair was inaugurated on November 14.

Industries Director Vandana Disodia, meanwhile, said that while the fair was opened to public on November 19, a sale of around Rs 15,000 was registered before that. “The entrepreneurs generally end up getting a few orders and it proves profitable for them,” she said.

... contd.