Overview
- The state government ordered an immediate stay on the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026 and asked the state information authority to keep the rules in abeyance, a move announced on Thursday after growing protest threats.
- The rules were officially notified on June 12 and came into force on publication in the official gazette, which is why the June notification prompted instant criticism and legal effect.
- Key contested provisions include a Rs 30 application fee, a charge of Rs 5 per A4 or scanned page, free record inspection for one hour then Rs 50 per hour, and Rs 50 and Rs 100 fees for first and second appeals respectively.
- The rules also require a self-attested photo identity proving Indian citizenship with every RTI request and instruct that applications should ordinarily be limited to a single subject and about 150 words, measures critics say create procedural hurdles.
- Transparency activists led by Anna Hazare accused the government of issuing the rules without public consultation and threatened an indefinite hunger strike from July 5, and officials now say the notification will remain on record while the state reviews next steps and consults stakeholders.