Maharashtra is at it again. The Devendra Fadnavis government is proposing a series of RTI rules, which, if implemented, would sound the death knell of the Act. Earlier, during Prithviraj Chavan's tenure some RTI rules were made.

What are the controversial proposals?

One is that an applicant would not be given details that "involve fresh collection of non-available data" or "compilation of existing data". The other is not to give information on queries that seek "justification".

How will the proposals kill the Act?

Already, there are complaints that many public information officers (PIOs) do not part with information largely because they do not even keep the records properly with them. The proposals also take away the onus of giving reasons for not providing information from the PIOs. The government is also looking to set a limit on the information it can provide online.

Are all politicians opposed to RTI?

Yes. Corporators and MLAs from across the party lines have often demanded the curtailment of RTI Act, alleging it was being used for "blackmailing" and some even sought a “letter of guarantee” that it will be used only for constructive purposes. Recently, the mayor had said that RTI activists have be reigned in as they are affecting mental health of officials.

What was the earlier attempt to derail the Act?

The previous government, led by Prithviraj Chavan, had sought to restrict the word count of queries to 150 words and on one subject only.

Are the new rules really needed?

"There is no necessity. There are rules which state that if the information is voluminous, it should not be given. They can make state and central rules similar. The government should look at making first and second appeals free in states as with central rules," Bhaskar Prabhu, an RTI activist, said.

Are there suggestions activists welcome?

Yes. If a particular information is not available with the public information officer (PIO), s/he shall, within five days of receiving an application, inform applicants. People have often complained that they are informed at the fag end by the PIO that information is not available.

Any other suggestions?

The information commission has also talked about various registers that officials should maintain and which contain details of applications filed, appeals made and applications disposed. Suggestions also propose that citizens will have to annex relevant documents referred to in the RTI application.

How did the rules come about? Who has proposed the changes?

It is an initiative of the general administration department (GAD) which looks after the implementation of the RTI Act. It approached the information commission from where Ajitkumar Jain, information commission (Birhanmumbai bench) mainly gave the suggestions. He said it is an initiative of the GAD and that details should be taken from it. P S Meena, additional chief secretary, GAD, did not give information and said, "We will put them up for public's suggestion and objections later."

Maharashtra and RTI Act

Maharashtra has been a pioneer in the right to information move. It passed the Maharashtra Right to Information Act in 2002, but has been hesitant in its full implementation. It was only in 2003 after Anna Hazare's fast that it was implemented. Then came the Centre's RTI Act of 2005.