Times of India: Nagpur: Saturday, 20 June 2026.
A Maharashtra-based transparency advocacy group has urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' govt to abolish fees charged for filing appeals under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, arguing the practice undermines citizens' access to information and contradicts Central Govt guidelines.
In a representation
submitted to CM recently, the Association of Social and RTI Activists (ASRA)
sought immediate amendments to the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules to
remove fees levied on First Appeals and Second Appeals under the RTI Act, 2005.
The organisation argued the state's existing fee structure was inconsistent with Central RTI Rules, under which citizens are required to pay only the initial application fee of 10, while appeals at both levels are free of cost.
Referring to a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) communication of April 26, 2011, ASRA said the Central Govt advised all states to harmonise their RTI fee structures with Centre's framework. It noted RTI fees across states were ‘at great variance' and cited recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, which warned RTI fees ‘should not become a disincentive for using the right to information.'
The representation stated charging citizens additional fees at appellate stage penalised them for administrative failures, delays or refusal to provide information by Public Information Officers.
"Charging a citizen, a fee to appeal against an illegal refusal by a state official is fundamentally unjust," the organisation said in the letter.
ASRA contended the present system disproportionately affects economically weaker citizens, creating avoidable financial barriers to accessing information guaranteed under law. It maintained RTI appellate process should remain ‘entirely cost-free' to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
ASRA urged the govt to amend Maharashtra RTI Rules under Sec 19(1) and 19(3) of RTI Act and bring them in line with Central Rules.
"Eliminating these appeal fees will reaffirm the govt's commitment to open and accountable administration," the representation by ASRA president Sanjay Thul stated.
The state govt has not yet officially responded to the body's representation.
A Maharashtra-based transparency advocacy group has urged chief minister Devendra Fadnavis' govt to abolish fees charged for filing appeals under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, arguing the practice undermines citizens' access to information and contradicts Central Govt guidelines.
The organisation argued the state's existing fee structure was inconsistent with Central RTI Rules, under which citizens are required to pay only the initial application fee of 10, while appeals at both levels are free of cost.
Referring to a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) communication of April 26, 2011, ASRA said the Central Govt advised all states to harmonise their RTI fee structures with Centre's framework. It noted RTI fees across states were ‘at great variance' and cited recommendations of the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, which warned RTI fees ‘should not become a disincentive for using the right to information.'
The representation stated charging citizens additional fees at appellate stage penalised them for administrative failures, delays or refusal to provide information by Public Information Officers.
"Charging a citizen, a fee to appeal against an illegal refusal by a state official is fundamentally unjust," the organisation said in the letter.
ASRA contended the present system disproportionately affects economically weaker citizens, creating avoidable financial barriers to accessing information guaranteed under law. It maintained RTI appellate process should remain ‘entirely cost-free' to ensure transparency and accountability in governance.
ASRA urged the govt to amend Maharashtra RTI Rules under Sec 19(1) and 19(3) of RTI Act and bring them in line with Central Rules.
"Eliminating these appeal fees will reaffirm the govt's commitment to open and accountable administration," the representation by ASRA president Sanjay Thul stated.
The state govt has not yet officially responded to the body's representation.
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