03 July,2026 03:40 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondent
Social activist Anna Hazare. File Photo
Social activist Anna Hazare on Friday welcomed the Maharashtra government's decision to stay the implementation of the amended Right to Information (RTI) rules but demanded that the proposed changes be withdrawn permanently to protect citizens' rights.
Following the government's decision, Hazare also announced that he was postponing his indefinite fast, which was scheduled to begin on July 5.
The Maharashtra Right to Information Rules, 2026, had proposed several changes, including an increase in the RTI application fee, mandatory submission of identity proof and a restriction limiting each application to only one subject.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday asked the Chief Commissioner of RTI to stay the implementation of the newly notified rules, according to sources.
In a statement issued from his native village Ralegan Siddhi in Ahilyanagar district, Hazare thanked citizens across Maharashtra for their support and peaceful campaign against the proposed changes.
The anti-corruption activist said public awareness and collective efforts played a key role in the government's decision to put the new rules on hold.
"I sincerely thank the people of Maharashtra and the Ralegan Siddhi family. It is because of the unity, awareness and peaceful democratic pressure created by the people that the government has decided to suspend the RTI Rules, 2026," he said.
Hazare said that while the decision to suspend the rules was a positive step, the government must ensure they are completely withdrawn.
The activist claimed the proposed changes, if implemented, would weaken the RTI framework and make it more difficult for citizens to access information.
"Our expectation is that the rules, which weaken the Right to Information, should be scrapped completely and the people's rights fully protected. If the government leaves the process incomplete or fails to permanently withdraw the rules, we will have to launch another democratic agitation," he warned.
Hazare said he decided to postpone his indefinite fast following the government's announcement and requests from activists and villagers.
"I am suspending my fast not because I trust the government, but to give an opportunity to the positive process initiated by it," he said.
The amended RTI rules had faced criticism from activists, who argued that some provisions could make the process of seeking information more restrictive.
Concerns were raised over the increased application fee, requirement for identity documents and limiting applications to a single subject.
Activists claimed such measures could reduce accessibility and affect the purpose of the RTI Act, which was introduced to promote transparency and accountability in governance.
(With inputs from PTI)
