ETV Bharat: Mumbai: Saturday, 26 September 2026.
Second appeals have been kept on hold by the Maharashtra State Information Commission.
Citizens seeking detailed
information on policies and government decisions under the Right To Information
(RTI) Act have been waiting endlessly for replies, not realizing the department
has currently been functioning on bare minimal staff. The RTI Act is crucial
for ensuring transparency in government operations and administrative
accountability.
However, it is currently mired in delays as 63,017 complaints are pending, and even second appeals have been kept on hold by the Maharashtra State Information Commission.
Anil Galgali, an RTI activist, said citizens are facing consequences since they are not able to access authentic information, which they require. "Citizens are empowered to seek information through the RTI, and various departments are expected to give them replies, which is currently in a limbo."
Galgali, 48,583 second appeals and 14,434 complaints are pending. Consequently, citizens seeking government information are forced to endure long waits first for the initial application and appeal, and subsequently for the Commission's verdict.
RTI and appeal procedures
The RTI Act empowers citizens to file applications to obtain various types of information. After replies to the requested information is not received on time or the replies are incomplete, they can file a first appeal. The applicant can also file a second appeal if the outcome remains unsatisfactory. They can appeal by filing a complaint with the State Information Commission (SIC).
However, this entire process is now prolonged because a vast number of cases remain pending after reaching the Commission. Second appeals constitute the largest share of the pending caseload, with 48,583 awaiting a decision. These cases have reached the Commission due to many reasons like non-receipt of requested information or dissatisfaction with the information provided.
A significant number of cases are pending across the state's various benches, including Nashik, Amravati, Pune, and Konkan, highlighting the mounting workload on the Commission.
In addition to second appeals, nearly 14,434 complaints are yet to be resolved, all of which adds to the struggle of citizens to seek adequate information even after their cases reach the Commission.
Heavy influx of applications
The SIC has been getting a heavy influx of appeals since the time RTI was introduced. Efforts are made to prioritise and separately scrutinise appeals of importance to the general public.
However, the sheer volume of appeals combined with a shortage of manpower makes it impossible to resolve all cases immediately. Raviraj Phalle, Secretary of the State Information Commission, stated, "Approximately half of the positions within the Commission are vacant, notably, nearly 80 percent of the posts in the Information Commissioner's office in Mumbai remain unfilled."
The Right to Information Act is a crucial legal right that empowers citizens to hold the administration accountable, but its effective implementation is a huge challenge. RTI activist Galgali feels authorities need to give priority to fill the vacant posts.
Galgali said, "I appeal to the State Information Commission and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to give this issue priority and give relief to citizens by filling the vacant posts."
Second appeals have been kept on hold by the Maharashtra State Information Commission.
However, it is currently mired in delays as 63,017 complaints are pending, and even second appeals have been kept on hold by the Maharashtra State Information Commission.
Anil Galgali, an RTI activist, said citizens are facing consequences since they are not able to access authentic information, which they require. "Citizens are empowered to seek information through the RTI, and various departments are expected to give them replies, which is currently in a limbo."
Galgali, 48,583 second appeals and 14,434 complaints are pending. Consequently, citizens seeking government information are forced to endure long waits first for the initial application and appeal, and subsequently for the Commission's verdict.
RTI and appeal procedures
The RTI Act empowers citizens to file applications to obtain various types of information. After replies to the requested information is not received on time or the replies are incomplete, they can file a first appeal. The applicant can also file a second appeal if the outcome remains unsatisfactory. They can appeal by filing a complaint with the State Information Commission (SIC).
However, this entire process is now prolonged because a vast number of cases remain pending after reaching the Commission. Second appeals constitute the largest share of the pending caseload, with 48,583 awaiting a decision. These cases have reached the Commission due to many reasons like non-receipt of requested information or dissatisfaction with the information provided.
A significant number of cases are pending across the state's various benches, including Nashik, Amravati, Pune, and Konkan, highlighting the mounting workload on the Commission.
In addition to second appeals, nearly 14,434 complaints are yet to be resolved, all of which adds to the struggle of citizens to seek adequate information even after their cases reach the Commission.
Heavy influx of applications
The SIC has been getting a heavy influx of appeals since the time RTI was introduced. Efforts are made to prioritise and separately scrutinise appeals of importance to the general public.
However, the sheer volume of appeals combined with a shortage of manpower makes it impossible to resolve all cases immediately. Raviraj Phalle, Secretary of the State Information Commission, stated, "Approximately half of the positions within the Commission are vacant, notably, nearly 80 percent of the posts in the Information Commissioner's office in Mumbai remain unfilled."
The Right to Information Act is a crucial legal right that empowers citizens to hold the administration accountable, but its effective implementation is a huge challenge. RTI activist Galgali feels authorities need to give priority to fill the vacant posts.
Galgali said, "I appeal to the State Information Commission and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to give this issue priority and give relief to citizens by filling the vacant posts."
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