State Information Commission issues official directions
Mumbai | July 2 | Rayat Samachar
(RTI Rules Stay) The Maharashtra Government has stayed the implementation of the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026, which were notified under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, according to RTI activist Adv. Shyam Asawa.
(RTI Rules Stay) Elaborating on the development, Adv. Asawa said that the Right to Information is a fundamental right of every citizen and not a favour granted by the government. He stated that any attempt to weaken the RTI Act would not be accepted by the public. He also praised veteran social activist Anna Hazare, saying that even at the age of 90, Hazare showed his willingness to stand up for public interest, compelling the government to reconsider its decision. According to Asawa, this is not the victory of any individual but of vigilant citizens and democratic values.
He congratulated Anna Hazare on the government’s decision to stay the implementation of the new rules, adding that the development was made possible because of his intervention.
However, Adv. Asawa also pointed out that if the rules had already been brought into force through a Gazette Notification, then, legally, suspending or withdrawing them would ordinarily require another Gazette Notification. He questioned whether an office letter or an oral or written direction from the Chief Minister alone would be legally sufficient.
(RTI Rules Stay) In this regard, the Maharashtra State Information Commission Headquarters, Mumbai, issued an official communication on July 2, 2026. According to the letter, the implementation of the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026, which were published in the Government Gazette on June 21, 2026, has been kept in abeyance until further orders.
The letter, issued by Raviraj Phalle, Secretary of the State Information Commission, directs all Divisional Information Commissioners to inform government offices and public authorities under their respective jurisdictions about the stay.
The communication further states that the decision relates to the rules framed under Section 27(2) of the Right to Information Act, 2005. Consequently, the earlier procedure is expected to continue until fresh orders are issued regarding the implementation of the new rules.
Following the issuance of the communication, discussions have begun among RTI activists, applicants, and various government departments, with all eyes now on the government’s next move.
