RTI in Maharashtra: How to File, Use Cases, and the Maharashtra State Information Commission

Maharashtra is home to over 120 million people, one of India's largest city administrations in Mumbai, and a sprawling state government machinery covering everything from land revenue to housing, electricity, and pollution control. It also has one of the most active RTI cultures in the country — citizens in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, and Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) have used the Right to Information Act to expose infrastructure corruption, challenge land grab orders, verify MHADA lottery draws, and document BMC building violations for decades.

If you are a Maharashtra resident and want to file an RTI, this guide tells you exactly what you need to know: which portal to use, which information commission handles your appeal, the fee rules, and the most common — and most useful — RTI requests you can make across different departments.

The RTI Act in Maharashtra: Central Law, State Rules

The Right to Information Act, 2005 is a Central legislation passed by Parliament. It applies uniformly across every state in India, including Maharashtra. There is no separate "Maharashtra RTI Act." However, Section 28 of the RTI Act gives state governments the power to make rules on the operational aspects of RTI — fees, application format, modes of payment, and so on. Maharashtra has notified its own RTI Rules under this provision.

This creates a two-track system for Maharashtra residents:

Track 1 — Central Government bodies: Any office of the Central Government operating in Maharashtra — the Income Tax Department, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), Indian Railways (Central Railway or Western Railway), the Army, NIT Nagpur, VNIT, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the Enforcement Directorate, and similar offices — are Central Government public authorities. For these bodies, you file RTI at rtionline.gov.in. If you are unhappy with the response, your First Appeal goes to the senior officer above the CPIO within the same office, and your Second Appeal goes to the Central Information Commission (CIC) in New Delhi.

Track 2 — Maharashtra State Government bodies: Any office of the Maharashtra state government — the Revenue Department, state Public Works Department (PWD), Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC/MCGM), Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), and so on — are Maharashtra State public authorities. For these bodies, you file RTI at the Maharashtra state RTI portal. Second appeals for these bodies go to the Maharashtra State Information Commission (MSIC) in Mumbai.

A note on portal URLs: Maharashtra's state RTI portal URL has changed in the past. Before filing, verify the current official portal address on the Maharashtra government's main web portal (mahaonline.gov.in) or through the state government's official RTI page. Do not rely on third-party websites for the current portal link.

The single most common mistake Maharashtra residents make is filing an RTI for a Central Government body through the state portal, or vice versa. Getting the track right saves you weeks of getting a "wrong authority" response.

Maharashtra State Information Commission (MSIC)

The Maharashtra State Information Commission was established under Section 15 of the RTI Act, 2005, which requires every state government to constitute a State Information Commission. The MSIC is headquartered in Mumbai.

The MSIC handles Second Appeals filed under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act for all Maharashtra State public authorities. This includes:

• All departments of the Maharashtra state government (Revenue, Home, Education, Health, Finance, PWD, etc.)
• Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC/MCGM) and all other municipal corporations in Maharashtra (Pune Municipal Corporation, Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Nashik Municipal Corporation, etc.)
• MHADA (Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority)
• MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority)
• MSEDCL (Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited)
• Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)
• Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC)
• Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC)
• Zilla Parishads, Panchayat Samitis, and other local self-government bodies
• Maharashtra Lokayukta (for matters within its jurisdiction)
• Cooperative bodies that are substantially financed by or under the control of the state government

Important: For Central Government bodies physically located in Maharashtra — the Income Tax Department in Pune, Western Railway offices in Mumbai, EPFO regional offices, NIT Nagpur, RBI headquarters in Mumbai — the second appeal goes to the CIC in New Delhi, not the MSIC. The physical location of the office in Maharashtra does not make it a state authority.

The First Appeal for any body (state or Central) always goes to the First Appellate Authority designated within that body itself. Only the Second Appeal routes differ depending on whether it is a Central or state body.

Timelines

The standard RTI response deadline under Section 7(1) is 30 days from receipt of the application. The exception under Section 7(1) proviso is 48 hours when the information concerns the life or liberty of a person. These timelines apply uniformly across both Central and state bodies in Maharashtra.

Your First Appeal under Section 19(1) must be filed within 30 days of the date of the CPIO's decision, or within 30 days of the expiry of the 30-day response period if no response was received at all.

Your Second Appeal under Section 19(3) can be filed with the MSIC (for state bodies) or CIC (for Central bodies) within 90 days of the date of the First Appellate Authority's decision, or such further period as the Commission considers appropriate.

RTI Fees in Maharashtra

The fee for filing an RTI under the Central Government is ₹10, paid under the RTI (Regulation of Fee and Cost) Rules, 2005. For Maharashtra state bodies, the fee structure is governed by the Maharashtra RTI Rules notified under Section 28 of the Act. The fee for photocopies of records is typically ₹2 per page, though you should verify the current figures against the official Maharashtra RTI Rules, as these can be amended.

Regardless of which set of rules applies, Below Poverty Line (BPL) applicants are exempt from all RTI fees under Section 7(5) of the RTI Act. This is a uniform Central statutory provision that state rules cannot override. If you are a BPL cardholder, attach a copy of your BPL card with your application and state that you are claiming the BPL fee exemption.

The 7/12 Extract (Saat Baara Utara): Maharashtra's Most Important Land Record

If you are a Maharashtra resident with any connection to agricultural land — or even to urban land with a revenue history — the 7/12 extract, known as the Saat Baara Utara (सात बारा उतारा), is the single most important document in the land record system. Understanding it is essential before you file any land-related RTI.

The 7/12 extract derives its name from forms 7 and 12 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Records of Rights and Registers (Preparation and Maintenance) Rules. It records:

• The name of the landowner (Khatedar)
• The name of the cultivator (Kabjedar), if different from the owner
• The survey number and Gat number (for rural areas)
• The total area of the land
• The type of land (irrigated, unirrigated, etc.)
• Any encumbrances, government dues, or court orders on the land

The 7/12 extracts are maintained by the Talathi (village revenue officer) at the village level and by the Tehsildar / Tahsildar at the taluka level, under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code. They fall under Maharashtra's Revenue Department, making them state authority records — MSIC on second appeal.

Mahabhumi Portal

Maharashtra has digitised a large portion of its 7/12 records and made them available through the Mahabhumi portal. You can verify the current portal address through the Maharashtra government website (mahaonline.gov.in or the Revenue Department's official site). For many landowners, the online portal is sufficient for viewing records.

However, RTI becomes essential when you need:

• A certified copy of the 7/12 extract with an official seal, for use in legal proceedings or as evidence
• Mutation history: a record of every change in ownership entry (Ferfar) for a given survey number over time — who transferred to whom, when, and on what basis
• Records that are not on the portal: older records, disputed entries, or records that have not been digitised
• The basis for an incorrect entry: if the 7/12 shows an owner you believe is wrong, RTI for the mutation order and supporting documents that led to the current entry

How to frame a 7/12 RTI: Always mention the survey number or Gat number, village name, taluka, and district. For urban plots, mention the CTS (City Survey) number and ward. Vague requests like "please give me my land details" will be returned as unprocessable.

Example: Please provide a certified copy of the 7/12 extract for Survey Number X / Gat Number Y, Village Z, Taluka A, District B, along with all Ferfar (mutation) entries recorded for this survey number for the period year to year, and copies of the mutation orders and supporting documents for each entry.

File with the CPIO at the Tehsildar's office for the relevant taluka. Second appeal to the MSIC.

MHADA: Housing Schemes, Lotteries, and Allotments

The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is the state government body responsible for affordable housing development in Maharashtra. It builds housing colonies, runs lottery-based allotment schemes for flats, and manages a large portfolio of government housing stock.

MHADA is a Maharashtra State public authority — second appeals go to the MSIC.

RTI requests that are particularly useful with MHADA:

• Lottery draw process and results: MHADA conducts housing lotteries for flat allotment. If you participated in a lottery and want to know the detailed procedure used for the draw, the total number of applicants in your category, the number of flats in the scheme, and the complete list of winners — RTI can get you all of this.
• Your waitlist position: If MHADA maintains a waiting list for a scheme, RTI can reveal exactly where your application stands and the criteria used for ranking.
• Allotment cancellation reasons: If your allotment was cancelled or you were told you are ineligible, RTI can get you the cancellation order with reasons, the officer who passed the order, and the specific rule or condition cited.
• Flat construction and possession status: Details of progress on a specific scheme, the expected handover date, and any correspondence between MHADA and the contractor or relevant authority.

File with the CPIO at the relevant MHADA regional board (Mumbai Board, Konkan Board, Pune Board, Nashik Board, Aurangabad Board, Nagpur Board, or Amravati Board — depending on where the scheme is located).

BMC/MCGM: Mumbai's Municipal Corporation

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation — formally the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), commonly called BMC — is the local body governing Mumbai. It is a state urban local body (ULB), and second appeals go to the MSIC.

RTI applications to the BMC are among the most commonly filed in Maharashtra. Useful requests include:

• Building plan approvals: Before buying a flat or commercial property in Mumbai, you can RTI the BMC to find out whether the building plan was submitted and approved, what the approved Floor Space Index (FSI) and permitted use was, and whether the construction matches the approved plan. This can reveal illegal construction or unauthorized additional floors before you invest.
• Occupancy Certificate (OC) / Completion Certificate (CC) status: Many buildings in Mumbai have been occupied for years without a formal OC. The BMC's records show whether an OC was applied for, whether it was issued, and if not, why. This information is crucial for property buyers.
• Property tax assessment: The basis for the annual rateable value assigned to your property — the assessed value, the method used, and any revisions — is accessible through RTI. Useful if you believe your property tax bill is incorrect.
• Trade licence status: Whether a specific establishment has a valid trade licence issued by the BMC.
• Ward-level works and contracts: Details of specific repair works, contracts awarded, amounts paid, and inspection reports for local infrastructure.

When filing a BMC RTI, include your ward number (Mumbai is divided into wards like A, B, C, D, E, F/N, F/S, G/N, G/S, H/E, H/W, K/E, K/W, L, M/E, M/W, N, P/N, P/S, R/C, R/N, R/S, S, T) and the specific property assessment number or building plan approval number wherever you have it. This allows the CPIO to locate the exact file quickly.

For other cities in Maharashtra, file with the relevant municipal corporation: Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), and so on. All are state ULBs — MSIC on second appeal.

MSEDCL: Electricity Billing Disputes and Connection Issues

The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), commonly known as Mahavitaran, distributes electricity across most of Maharashtra (excluding Mumbai city, which is served by Adani Electricity and BEST). MSEDCL is a state public sector undertaking — second appeals go to the MSIC.

RTI requests that work well with MSEDCL:

• Basis for electricity bills: If you have received an abnormally high electricity bill, RTI for the actual meter reading records maintained at the subdivision level, the dates on which meter readings were recorded, the average consumption basis if any bill was estimated, and any Meter Reading Instrument (MRI) data downloads for your meter.
• New connection delays: If you applied for a new electricity connection and have been waiting for months, RTI for your application file number, the current status, the officer responsible for the connection, and the dates of each processing step.
• Power outage records: For a specific feeder or area, records of the number, duration, and cause of power interruptions over a period. Useful for businesses claiming losses from frequent outages.
• Meter testing: If you dispute the accuracy of your meter, RTI for the meter testing record, the test results, and the name of the testing officer.

File with the CPIO at the relevant MSEDCL circle or division office covering your area.

Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB)

The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) is the state environmental regulatory body responsible for issuing consents to industries and monitoring pollution levels across Maharashtra. It is a state body — second appeals go to the MSIC.

RTI requests useful with MPCB:

• Industry Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) status: Whether a specific factory or industrial unit near you has valid consents from the MPCB to operate. This is among the most important RTI requests for communities living near industrial areas.
• Pollution monitoring data: Ambient air quality monitoring data, effluent sampling results, or inspection reports for a specific industrial unit or area.
• Inspection reports: Records of MPCB inspections of a specific factory, including violations found, notices issued, and follow-up action taken.
• Closure orders: Whether the MPCB has issued a closure direction against a unit, and whether that direction has been complied with.

Maharashtra Lokayukta: Corruption Complaints

Maharashtra has its own Lokayukta institution, which investigates corruption complaints against state government officials. For complaints that have been concluded or disposed of, RTI can be used to ask about the status and outcome of specific complaints.

The Maharashtra Lokayukta is a state body — second appeals for RTI matters go to the MSIC.

Note: RTI cannot be used to file a fresh corruption complaint — that is done through the Lokayukta's own complaint process. RTI is useful for following up on complaints already filed, or for getting information about investigations that have been completed.

Cooperative Housing Societies in Maharashtra

This is one of the most frequently confused areas of RTI law in Maharashtra, and it is important to get it right.

Cooperative housing societies registered under the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act, 1960 are generally not RTI-applicable because they are not public authorities under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act. The RTI Act covers bodies established or constituted by or under a law, owned, controlled, or substantially financed by government. A residential cooperative housing society — even a large one with hundreds of flats — does not meet this definition unless it has been substantially financed by government funds.

This means you cannot file an RTI directly against your cooperative housing society asking for its accounts, maintenance charge details, or meeting minutes.

However, the state government bodies that regulate cooperative housing societies do fall under the RTI Act. The District Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies (state body — MSIC) holds:

• Society registration certificates
• Annual audit reports submitted by the society to the Registrar
• Orders passed by the Registrar or Deputy Registrar on disputes between members and the society's committee
• Records of any government inspection of the society

If you have a dispute with your housing society and want documented records, filing an RTI with the Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies for your district can often yield audit reports and official records that the society itself refuses to share.

Regional Offices Across Maharashtra

Maharashtra is divided into six revenue divisions: Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Amravati, and Nagpur. Every major state department — Revenue, PWD, Health, Education, Agriculture — has divisional and district-level offices.

The practical rule: file your RTI with the office that actually holds the specific information you need.

• If your query is about the implementation of a government scheme in a specific village or district, file with the district-level or taluka-level office, not with the state headquarters in Mumbai.
• If your query is about state policy, budget allocations, or aggregate state-level data, the state headquarters in Mumbai (Mantralaya) is the right level.
• If you are in Nagpur and want information about a local PWD road project, file with the CPIO at the PWD circle office in Nagpur, not the PWD secretariat in Mumbai.

Filing at the correct level saves time. Filing at headquarters when the information is held at a district office often results in a transfer of your application (which is allowed under the RTI Act) and a 30-day reset, adding weeks to your timeline.

Practical Tips for Maharashtra RTIs

1. Identify the right authority first. Central Government or state government? The answer determines both the portal and the appellate authority. When in doubt, look up the body's enabling statute — if it was established by a Central act (like the Railways Act, EPFO's Employees' Provident Funds Act), it is Central; if by a Maharashtra state act, it is state.

2. For land records, always include the survey / Gat / CTS number. The Tahsildar's office handles thousands of files. Without the specific survey or Gat number, the CPIO cannot locate your record. For urban areas with CTS numbers, include those. Mention the taluka and district clearly.

3. For BMC queries, include your ward number and property/assessment number. Mumbai's ward structure is intricate. Mentioning the ward (for example, K/W Ward for Andheri West) and your specific assessment number reduces the chance of a misdirected or incomplete response.

4. Verify current portal URLs. Maharashtra's online portals have changed addresses in the past. Always verify the current state RTI portal URL on the Maharashtra government's official website before filing online. The same applies to the Mahabhumi land records portal — confirm the current address before you use it.

5. Always keep the acknowledgement slip. Whether you file online or by post, the acknowledgement of receipt starts your 30-day clock. Keep it as evidence of when your application was received.

6. Request certified copies, not just information. For documents like 7/12 extracts, mutation orders, or BMC OC certificates that you intend to use in court proceedings or official transactions, explicitly ask for a "certified copy" rather than simply asking for the information. Certified copies carry official evidentiary weight.

7. Use the First Appeal before despairing. A no-response or an inadequate response is not the end of the road. File a First Appeal under Section 19(1) within 30 days. A significant number of RTI cases get resolved at the First Appeal stage without ever needing to go to the MSIC. First Appellate Authorities are typically more senior officials who can direct the CPIO to provide what was asked.

Quick Reference: Central vs. State Bodies in Maharashtra

RTI is one of the most powerful tools available to Maharashtra's citizens. Whether you are a Mumbai resident challenging a building violation, a farmer in Vidarbha questioning a 7/12 entry, a Pune flat buyer verifying an occupancy certificate, or a Nashik villager tracking a government scheme's implementation — the Right to Information Act gives you the legal right to ask, and the government a legal obligation to answer.

The key is knowing which track your question falls under, drafting specific questions with precise identifiers, and being ready to escalate through the appeal process if the first response is inadequate.

About RTISathi: RTISathi.com helps Indian citizens draft and file RTI applications for Central Government bodies and Delhi State Government bodies. Our guides, sample drafts, and step-by-step tools are built for Central RTIs (filed at rtionline.gov.in with CIC as the second appeal body) and Delhi State RTIs. If your query is about a Central Government office operating in Maharashtra — EPFO, Income Tax, Railways, RBI — RTISathi's guides and tools are directly applicable. For Maharashtra State body RTIs, use this article as your reference and file through the Maharashtra state portal.