India, May 11 -- In a significant move, the Maharashtra government has proposed a new law, the Devasthan Inams Abolition Act 2026, which will grant ownership rights to occupants of land parcels owned by temple trusts. The move will open up nearly 400,000 hectares of such land, officials revealed.

The ownership rights will be given to owners on the payment of a premium, which the government will hand over to the temple trusts. Plots used specifically for residential purposes will be granted ownership rights for free. Those who have encroached on such land will not be evicted, provided they have been the land prior to January 1, 2011. The government believes this will end the long-standing ownership disputes over such properties.

The draf...