The Hindu: Mumbai: Friday, 3rd July 2026.
Veteran social activist had planned to start an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday at Ralegan Siddhi demanding a rollback; State govt. will restore the position as of June 11, says official
RTI activists demand
public consultation, scrapping of the amendments, and transparency before
taking further decision.
The Maharashtra government on Thursday stayed the recent amendments to the Right to Information rules, two days before social activist Anna Hazare was to start an indefinite hunger strike at Ralegan Siddhi demanding a rollback. “We will restore the position as of June 11, 2026,” a senior IAS officer told The Hindu. The government said the amendments had been stayed in view of the objections and concerns raised by Mr. Hazare.
‘Moment of happiness’
The villagers of Ralegan Siddhi had called for an agitation on Friday, where they were to burn the draft of the Maharashtra Right to Information (Amendment) Rules, 2026. They expressed joy on news of the government’s decision. “It is a moment of happiness for us. It would have been difficult to see Anna sit for a hunger strike at the age of 90. The village stands by him,” said a close associate of the activist.
A letter sent by the General Administration Department on Thursday to the Chief Information Commissioner of Maharashtra stated: “The Chief Minister has directed that the rules before the issuance of a gazette notification on June 12, 2026, should be brought into force. Accordingly, the action has been taken immediately.” Soon thereafter, the Maharashtra State Information Commission issued orders staying the Maharashtra Right to Information (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
Several activists had raised objections to the provisions of the amended rules, which included a threefold increase in application fee, the introduction of a new fee for appeals, and a cap on free information for those living below the poverty line. The rules also required that each RTI application pertain to a single subject and be limited to 150 words. Other provisions included mandatory disclosure of an applicant’s identity, removing anonymity protections for whistleblowers, barring legal representation during hearings, permitting dismissal of cases if applicants fail to appear, and closing cases upon an applicant’s death.
Reacting to the development on Thursday, RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar welcomed the decision to stay the amendments but also called for their scrapping. “They are in contravention to the provisions of the RTI Act. The government should appoint a new committee to look into this issue. It should include all stakeholders and be done transparently,” he said.
Maharashtra’s Chief Information Commissioner Rahul Pande said a team had visited Mr. Hazare on June 24 where the activist conveyed his objections. “Accordingly the CM has directed to stay the implementation of the rules.”
Veteran social activist had planned to start an indefinite hunger strike on Saturday at Ralegan Siddhi demanding a rollback; State govt. will restore the position as of June 11, says official
The Maharashtra government on Thursday stayed the recent amendments to the Right to Information rules, two days before social activist Anna Hazare was to start an indefinite hunger strike at Ralegan Siddhi demanding a rollback. “We will restore the position as of June 11, 2026,” a senior IAS officer told The Hindu. The government said the amendments had been stayed in view of the objections and concerns raised by Mr. Hazare.
‘Moment of happiness’
The villagers of Ralegan Siddhi had called for an agitation on Friday, where they were to burn the draft of the Maharashtra Right to Information (Amendment) Rules, 2026. They expressed joy on news of the government’s decision. “It is a moment of happiness for us. It would have been difficult to see Anna sit for a hunger strike at the age of 90. The village stands by him,” said a close associate of the activist.
A letter sent by the General Administration Department on Thursday to the Chief Information Commissioner of Maharashtra stated: “The Chief Minister has directed that the rules before the issuance of a gazette notification on June 12, 2026, should be brought into force. Accordingly, the action has been taken immediately.” Soon thereafter, the Maharashtra State Information Commission issued orders staying the Maharashtra Right to Information (Amendment) Rules, 2026.
Several activists had raised objections to the provisions of the amended rules, which included a threefold increase in application fee, the introduction of a new fee for appeals, and a cap on free information for those living below the poverty line. The rules also required that each RTI application pertain to a single subject and be limited to 150 words. Other provisions included mandatory disclosure of an applicant’s identity, removing anonymity protections for whistleblowers, barring legal representation during hearings, permitting dismissal of cases if applicants fail to appear, and closing cases upon an applicant’s death.
Reacting to the development on Thursday, RTI activist Vijay Kumbhar welcomed the decision to stay the amendments but also called for their scrapping. “They are in contravention to the provisions of the RTI Act. The government should appoint a new committee to look into this issue. It should include all stakeholders and be done transparently,” he said.
Maharashtra’s Chief Information Commissioner Rahul Pande said a team had visited Mr. Hazare on June 24 where the activist conveyed his objections. “Accordingly the CM has directed to stay the implementation of the rules.”
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