Activists Urge Maharashtra Government to Abolish RTI Appeal Fees A Maharashtra-based transparency advocacy group has called on Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ government to abolish fees charged for filing appeals under the Right to Information (RTI) Act, arguing that the practice undermines citizens’ access to information and conflicts with Central Government guidelines. In a formal representation submitted to the Chief Minister recently, the Association of Social and RTI Activists (ASRA) demanded immediate amendments to the Maharashtra Right to Information Rules to eliminate fees for First Appeals and Second Appeals under the RTI Act, 2005. The organization highlighted that the state’s current fee structure diverges from the Central RTI Rules, which stipulate that citizens must pay only the initial application fee of ₹10, while appeals at both levels are free of cost. ASRA cited a Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) communication dated April 26, 2011, in which the Central Government advised all states to align their RTI fee frameworks with the Centre’s guidelines. The group noted that RTI fees across states vary significantly and referenced recommendations from the Second Administrative Reforms Commission, which warned that excessive fees could deter citizens from exercising their right to information. ASRA argued that charging additional fees at the appellate stage penalizes citizens for administrative failures, delays, or refusals by Public Information Officers. The organization emphasized that levying fees on citizens for appealing against an illegal refusal by a state official is inherently unjust.#maharashtra_government #devendra_fadnavis #department_of_personnel_and_training #association_of_social_and_rti_activists #sanjay_thul
Sādhana Saptah 2026: A National Initiative for Citizen-Centric Governance The Department of Personnel and Training, in collaboration with the Capacity Building Commission and Karmayogi Bharat, is organizing Sādhana Saptah 2026 from 2 to 8 April 2026. This initiative, themed “Ham Bane Karmayogi,” marks the Foundation Day of the Capacity Building Commission and the fifth anniversary of Mission Karmayogi, a national program aimed at transforming civil services into a people-centric, competency-driven system. The event brings together Central Ministries, state governments, Union Territories, and training institutions to foster responsive governance and align capacity-building efforts with citizen needs. Mission Karmayogi, launched as the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building, seeks to replace a rule-based approach with a role-based framework. This shift emphasizes competencies required for specific functions, ensuring civil servants are equipped with skills, mindset, and accountability to deliver better public services. The initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of governance rooted in human resource development and transparency. It is supported by two key institutions: the Capacity Building Commission (established in 2021) and the Karmayogi Bharat Special Purpose Vehicle (launched in 2022), which manages the iGOT digital learning platform. The Capacity Building Commission oversees the Mission Karmayogi framework, focusing on strengthening government human resources through individual and institutional capacity development. It promotes citizen-centric governance, future readiness, and lifelong learning across all levels of public administration.#department_of_personnel_and_training #capacity_building_commission #karmayogi_bharat #mission_karmayogi #sadhana_saptah_2026
