Anna Hazare Welcomes Stay on New Maharashtra RTI Rules, Demands Rollback
Social activist Anna Hazare on Thursday welcomed the stay on the newly notified Maharashtra Right to Information (RTI) rules and demanded a complete rollback. He also postponed his planned fast on July 5 following the development. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis directed the Chief Commissioner of RTI to stay the new rules, sources confirmed.
Background of the New RTI Rules
The Maharashtra government had recently notified new RTI rules that critics argued would dilute the transparency law. Provisions included higher fees for filing appeals and restrictions on information disclosure, sparking widespread protests from activists and opposition parties. Anna Hazare had announced an indefinite fast from July 5 to press for a rollback.
Chief Minister's Intervention
On Thursday, CM Fadnavis intervened after mounting pressure, asking the Chief Commissioner of RTI to stay the implementation of the new rules. According to sources, Fadnavis assured that the government would review the rules in consultation with stakeholders. Anna Hazare, in a statement, said, "I welcome the stay but it is not enough. We want a complete rollback of these anti-people rules."
Anna's Call for Complete Withdrawal
Anna Hazare emphasized that the stay is only a temporary measure and urged the government to withdraw the rules entirely. He stated that the new rules would have made it harder for citizens to access information, undermining the RTI Act's spirit. "The fight for transparency will continue until the rules are scrapped," he added.
Political Reactions
Opposition parties, including Congress and NCP, supported Anna Hazare's demand, accusing the BJP-led government of attempting to weaken the RTI law. They called for an immediate withdrawal of the rules. The government, however, maintained that the rules were intended to streamline the process and prevent misuse.
Next Steps and Impact
With the stay in place, the fast planned for July 5 has been postponed indefinitely. Anna Hazare has given the government time to roll back the rules, warning of renewed agitation if the demand is not met. The RTI movement in Maharashtra remains vigilant, with activists closely monitoring the government's next move.
