Exhibitors raised slogans in front of the minister on the mismanagement in Aahar Exhibition, blaming ITPO.
Aahar is an important B2B event for the food and hospitality sectors. The event was inaugurated by Piyush Goyal, Minister, Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Govt. of India on April 26, 2022. Goyal expressed his satisfaction with the 36th edition of the event being held after a gap of two years due to Covid-19.
No doubt Aahar, is Asia’s best food and hospitality expo; however, mismanagement by authorities caused an unruly scene at the start of the exhibition.
Exhibitors said that no arrangements were made for the stalls in the hall. Not only this, the condition of cleanliness was terrible. At the same time, no hearing was being done regarding electricity, water and air conditioning.
Disturbed by this, the exhibitors raised slogans in front of the minister at the time of inauguration. Stall owners circled Minister Piyush Goyal and demanded a refund.
“Having participated in various exhibition venues, I could say Pragati Maidan is the worst-ever managed venue. Even basic facilities like toilets were not fulfilled”, said an angry exhibitor.
This is Aahar , International trade fair 2022 happening at Pragati maidan , New Delhi . This is the day 1 at 1.20 pm , terrible to see how ITPO is mocking the event . @PiyushGoyalOffc #ITPO #pragatimaidantv #AAHAR2022 @PMO_NaMo @timesofindia @htTweets @fssaiindia @ITPODesk pic.twitter.com/wrpQRPC1Uu
— O p khanduja (@khanduja_o) April 26, 2022
In a statement, the ITPO said, “at the time of inauguration, a few exhibitors expressed their dissatisfaction with certain issues faced by them due to cleanliness and electricity failure. The exhibitors were assured of the immediate action of their issues”.
Further, ITPO also announced that all those exhibitors who have difficulties due to power outages could take a refund for the first day if they so wish. Or they can be given an extension by one day at no extra cost, and those who do not want to continue participating in the Aahar 2022 can be given a full refund.
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in association with the India Trade Promotion Organization (ITPO) organizes Asia’s biggest international food and hospitality fair, AAHAR-2022 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.
