The Maharashtra government has introduced the Devasthan Inams Abolition Act 2026, which seeks to grant ownership rights to occupants of land owned by temple trusts. This initiative targets nearly 400,000 hectares of land, primarily in the Konkan region, Marathwada, and western Maharashtra. Under the new law, occupants who have used residential plots since before January 1, 2011, will receive ownership rights without any payment, while others will need to pay a premium that will benefit the temple trusts. The bill aims to resolve longstanding disputes over land ownership, as many cultivators have worked these lands for generations without formal rights. The draft bill allows the district collector to determine the legality of land possession and offers pathways for regularization for certain occupants. However, the proposed law will not apply to lands regulated under existing laws such as the Waqf Act and others. This move is seen as a response to growing demands for ownership rights from farmers and occupants, amidst complaints of illegal transactions involving temple lands.