Mumbai: The controversy surrounding Maharashtra’s recently notified Right to Information (RTI) Rules, 2026 has escalated with a group of prominent transparency activists and former information officials issuing a legal notice to the state government demanding that the rules be withdrawn in their entirety within 15 days.The notice issued by former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi, on behalf of others, alleges that the new rules make the process of obtaining information “more expensive, more technical and more cumbersome” than envisaged under the central legislation. The activists said they would move the Bombay high court challenging the validity of the rules.The move comes days after the Maharashtra government withdrew a controversial provision that would have required applicants to state the purpose for seeking information. However, activists contend that several other provisions introduced through the Maharashtra RTI Rules, 2026 continue to impose barriers that are inconsistent with the spirit and provisions of the RTI Act, 2005.Among the key objections is the requirement that applicants submit a self-attested photo identity proof along with RTI applications. The notice contends that Section 6(2) of the RTI Act expressly states that applicants cannot be asked to provide reasons for seeking information or furnish personal details beyond those necessary for communication. The activists argue that compulsory submission of identity documents could discourage whistle-blowers, journalists, and citizens seeking information on corruption and maladministration.The notice also challenges restrictions limiting RTI applications to a single subject and 150 words. According to the activists, such provisions could force citizens to file multiple applications and pay multiple fees to obtain information relating to a single project, contract, policy decision or government transaction. The rules have also increased the RTI application fee to Rs 30, and introduced appeal fees of Rs 50 before the first appellate authority and Rs 100 before the State Information Commission.
