City backlog stretches to three years.

Mumbai, September 2, 2025: Maharashtra’s transparency crisis has deepened with more than 75,000 Right to Information (RTI) appeals piling up before the State Information Commission, leaving applicants waiting for years to receive decisions. The staggering figures highlight not only the backlog at the state level but also a severe logjam in Mumbai, where pending cases stretch up to three years, undermining the spirit of the RTI Act meant to ensure quick access to public information.

Applicants across the state have voiced frustration, saying that the long delays render the Act ineffective, especially when time-sensitive issues such as property disputes, civic projects, or corruption inquiries are involved. For many, the three-year delay means that by the time an order is issued, the information has either lost its relevance or the concerned project is already completed. This situation has drawn sharp criticism from activists who argue that such delays erode public confidence in the transparency law.

The Commission, which is tasked with hearing second appeals and complaints under the RTI Act, is struggling with limited resources. While the state law mandates the appointment of a full bench of commissioners, vacancies have persisted for years, leaving only a fraction of sanctioned posts filled. With fewer commissioners handling thousands of appeals, the pendency has ballooned to unmanageable levels. Officials admit that the number of fresh appeals being filed each month far outpaces the rate at which cases are being disposed of.

In Mumbai, the problem is especially severe. Applicants here report waiting three years for hearings, with no assurance of when their matters will be resolved. This has led to a situation where many citizens give up pursuing their appeals midway, disheartened by the prolonged wait. Legal experts caution that such delays amount to the denial of the fundamental right to information, effectively defeating the very purpose of the RTI Act, which was enacted in 2005 to promote transparency and accountability in governance.

The Supreme Court and various High Courts in the past have emphasized the need for timely disposal of RTI cases. Activists are now urging the state government to take urgent steps by appointing more information commissioners and adopting technology-driven solutions such as online hearings, stricter deadlines for disposal, and transparent tracking systems. They argue that without systemic reforms, the backlog will only worsen, and citizens’ right to know will remain compromised.

The state government, for its part, has assured that it is reviewing the matter and considering measures to speed up hearings. However, critics remain skeptical, pointing to years of unfulfilled promises. For thousands of citizens waiting in limbo, the assurance of transparency is now overshadowed by frustration and delay, leaving the RTI system in urgent need of revival.

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