Rajkot: Due to very heavy rains in Rajkot city and district continuing and further forecast of heavy rains, the government has taken a decision to discontinue and cancel the fair (Lok Mela) from today.

The government has decided to return the full money and deposit amount to stall owners. The government had spent Rs. 2 crore over this fair for its arrangements, including tents, electric wiring, and other expenses. However, the Chief Minister took the decision to return the entire 100 percent amount to stall owners.

The fair, which is popularly known as Janmashtami Lok Mela, takes place every year ahead of Janmashtami and ends after Janmashtami. The fair this year remained almost a non-starter due to heavy rains that caused waterlogging on the ground. It was risky to allow the fair to continue. The stall owners, who had paid money to have their stalls in the fair, had demanded an extension of the fair for a further period so that they could earn. However, the rainfall continued, and there’s even further forecast for more rainfall. In this situation, the government decided to give 100 percent of the of the money back to stall owners and call off the fair. DeshGujarat