Imphal: In a major ruling that may impact thousands of poor families, the Manipur Information Commission has settled a long running confusion between the Right to Information Act and the National Food Security Act on fee exemption.

The order came on February 16 in Complaint Case No. 15 of 2025 filed by Asem Roshan Singh against the SPIO-cum-BDO of Wangoi.

At the centre of the case was a gap in law. The RTI Act gives full fee exemption to people holding Below Poverty Line cards. But after the Food Security Act came into force, BPL cards were replaced with Priority Household and Antyodaya Anna Yojana categories. Since BPL cards are no longer issued, many PHH families were being asked to pay RTI fees. This blocked access to information.

The Commission has now ruled that PHH beneficiaries are the present legal successors of the old BPL category. It said the shift from BPL to PHH under the food law was only a change in system, not removal of poverty status.

The order clearly states that asking RTI fees from certified PHH beneficiaries is not legally valid. It also warned that such demands defeat the spirit of the RTI law and weaken citizens’ rights.

The Commission further noted that confusing official communications can discourage poor citizens from using the RTI Act.

Calling the decision significant, the Commission said welfare changes under one law cannot take away rights given under another.

The ruling will now serve as guidance for all Public Information Officers in Manipur while dealing with RTI applications from PHH and AAY families.

The complainant thanked the State Chief Information Commissioner for what he described as a clear and citizen friendly interpretation of the law.