Maharashtra CM Fadnavis orders for stay on new RTI rules as Anna Hazare calls for protest

The Maharashtra government has put on hold its newly introduced Right to Information RTI rules after strong criticism from activists and a protest threat by anticorruption campaigner Anna Hazare reported the PTIChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the statersquos Chief Commissioner of RTI to immediately stay the implementation of the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules 2026 according to official sourcesThe decision comes after widespread concern that the new rules could make it harder for citizens to access government informationAnna Hazare had strongly opposed the new rules saying they weaken the spirit of the RTI Act 2005 He warned that he would begin an indefinite hunger strike from July 5 if the rules were not withdrawn according to the PTIIn a letter to the Chief Minister Anna Hazare said the changes would increase costs add procedural hurdles and reduce transparency in governance He also said the rules were introduced without proper public consultationFollowing this the government decided to pause the rules for further reviewWhat the new RTI rules proposedAccording to the PTI the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules 2026 were officially notified on June 12 and had come into force immediatelyKey changes included Increase in RTI application fee to Rs 30 Charge of Rs 5 per page for information copies Free inspection for one hour then Rs 50 per hour BPL applicants exempted from application fee but not page charges beyond 50 pagesThe rules also introduced a limit on applications stating that each request should usually cover only one subject and remain within 150 words If multiple subjects were included officials could process only the first issue and ask applicants to file separate applications the news agency reportedNew identity and filing requirementsApplicants were also required to submit a selfattested photo identity proof confirming Indian citizenship Applications without identity documents could be returnedAnother change allowed officials to reject requests if the information was already available online directing applicants to government websites insteadChanges in appeal process and transparency dutiesThe rules also changed the appeal system Rs 50 fee for first appeal Rs 100 fee for second appealAppeals could be heard in person or through video conferencingPublic authorities were also asked to improve proactive disclosure of information Failure to do so could lead to disciplinary action against officialsBacklash over transparency concernsActivists and transparency advocates had criticised the rules arguing they would make it more difficult and expensive for citizens to file RTI requests They also raised concerns about the identity requirement and restrictions on multisubject applications as per the PTIwith PTI inputs