A controversy erupted at the 24th Lokotsav festival in Panaji after two vendors were assigned the same stall. Pankaj Kumar, a vendor from Uttar Pradesh, claimed he had paid ₹12,000 for stall number 42, only to find that another vendor had already occupied it, stating she had paid ₹10,000 just two days earlier.

This incident led to frustration among vendors, with some alleging mismanagement in the stall allotment process. Several vendors, including those from Mumbai, reported traveling with their goods only to discover that no stalls had been allocated to them. There were also concerns about favoritism in assigning stalls, particularly those in prime locations near the entrance.

In response, Art and Culture Minister Govind Gawade met with the affected vendors and assured them that the issue would be investigated. He invited them to his office for further discussions and possible resolutions.

The Lokotsav festival, held from January 17 to 26, 2025, features around 550 stalls showcasing handicrafts from across India. However, the stall allocation problems this year have sparked demands for greater transparency and better management in future editions of the festival.