Maharashtra Halts Registration Of Devasthan Land Transactions Pending New State Policy

The Maharashtra government has issued a directive to suspend all purchase and sale registrations of Devasthan Inam (endowment) land across the state until a comprehensive policy is finalised, according to an official statement.

The decision was announced on Wednesday (14 May) by Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule during a review meeting held at Mantralaya regarding lands belonging to the Western Maharashtra Devasthan.

Bawankule said that there is a significant amount of Devasthan Inam land in the state.

Transactions involving the purchase and sale of these Devasthan lands are taking place.

The state government is in the process of formulating a policy regarding these Devasthan lands.

Until such a policy is finalised, registration of these land transactions should be halted, according to the statement.

He further warned that if such transactions occur, the sub-registrars will be held accountable. The Minister also underlined the legal safeguards already in place, stating that no such transaction should proceed “without the permission of the competent authority or court orders.”

Earlier in March, PTI reported that minister Bawankule had announced that Maharashtra government will take a “balanced decision” on the long-standing issue of temple inam lands, aiming to protect the rights of farmers while ensuring the continuity of religious practices.

A committee headed by the principal secretary was set up to look into the issue, and its report was recently submitted to the government.

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