Positive Decision on Drought Compensation for Devasthan Lands in Upcoming State Cabinet Meeting: Maharashtra Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule
Amravati, 4th November 2026: In light of the severe drought conditions across Maharashtra, a delegation representing the ‘Maharashtra Mandir Mahasangh’ and trustees from various temple trusts across Vidarbha met Revenue Minister Hon. Chandrashekhar Bawankule at the Amravati District Collectorate. The delegation submitted a memorandum demanding immediate, unconditional drought compensation for Devasthan (temple) lands, bypassing the hurdles of ‘Farmer ID’ requirements and other procedural technicalities. Reassuring the delegation, Minister Bawankule said, “A special meeting of the State Cabinet will be convened shortly to address the drought situation. The issue of Devasthan lands will be taken up on priority, and a positive, decisive outcome will be ensured.”
In connection with this matter, the delegation also met BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Anil Bonde, MLA Pravin Pote-Patil, BJP MLA Sunil Wankhede, and BJP MLA Prataprao Adsad, briefing them on the administrative injustice faced by temple lands. Similar representations have already been submitted across every district of Maharashtra by temple trustees and Mandir Mahasangh.
Severe drought has wreaked havoc on agriculture in multiple districts across the state. With crop yields virtually wiped out, temples have lost their primary source of revenue, leading to acute financial distress. While the state government has initiated relief measures for farmers, local administrations have systematically excluded temple lands by misinterpreting them under the label of ‘agricultural institutions’ or citing Farmer ID technicalities. The delegation strongly urged the government to restore historical precedent and release unconditional, across-the-board crop loss compensation directly to temple trusts.
The delegation was led by Sunil Ghanwat, National Coordinator of Mandir Mahasangh, alongside core committee member Anup Jaiswal, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Coordinator Shrikant Pisolkar, and key trustees from premier shrines in the Amravati district. Prominent among them were representatives from Pinglai Devi Sansthan (Ner Pinglai), Avdhoot Maharaj (Vithoba Savanga), Kondeshwar Sansthan, Sant Meera Datar Mandir (Badnera), Shri Renuka Devasthan (Nandgaon Khandeshwar), and Asha Manisha Devasthan (Daryapur), with over 25 temple trusts in attendance. The trustees affirmed their resolve to carry forward the collective movement under the aegis of Mandir Mahasangh until rightful justice is served.
