Pune: The Shelgaon gram panchayat in Indapur block, fed up with the increasing number of congratulatory messages displayed on flex boards and posters, went virtual and installed a digital display screen in their village square. The gram panchayat imposed a complete ban on posters two years ago, and anyone wishing to publish greetings, advertisements, or political messages must use the digital screen.This move, also aimed to curb conflicts caused by the defacement of religious or political banners, has earned the gram panchayat nearly Rs4 lakh through display charges. Gram panchayat officer Chandrakant Jagtap said the village has not experienced any fights or police complaints related to damaged posters during religious processions, fairs, or political events after the shift to the digital medium.“Even leaders like Supriya Sule and Dattatray Bharane paid to advertise on the screen during election campaigns. Recently, Gajanan Patil, CEO of Pune ZP, suggested examining whether the Shelgaon model could be replicated in other villages,” said Jagtap, who played a key role in setting up the display board atop the gram panchayat shopping centre building.Sarpanch Urmila Singhade said the most noticeable change has been in the village’s appearance. “Earlier, during major occasions, posters were everywhere and spoiled the view. Now, the surroundings look cleaner and more orderly. After discussions within the gram panchayat, Jagtap conducted two to three village meetings to explain the proposal and its benefits. The plan was then approved and implemented,” she said, adding that the initiative has also reduced plastic waste since there are no posters to dispose of.The annual village fair and the five-day festival at the local deity’s temple in Nov attract lakhs of devotees to Shelgaon. Previously, the village square and the road to the temple would be completely covered with posters during such events.“Whenever there was a significant celebration — whether a birth anniversary, death anniversary, or other major event — members of different political parties would put up their posters, and rivals would either paste over them or tear them down. In rural areas where people of various castes and religions live together, even minor issues can escalate quickly. The digital screen is mounted high, making it difficult to tamper with. Each advertisement runs for about 10 seconds before switching to the next, ensuring everyone gets equal visibility while maintaining peace. The revenue generated is used for village schools and other facilities,” said Umesh Supute, a pomegranate farmer from the village.Jagtap added that the pricing has been kept affordable to ensure accessibility. “The charge is Rs 500 for one day and Rs 1,000 for three days. Representatives from gram panchayats in Daund, Mulshi, and Beed have already visited to study our model so they can introduce it in their villages. It supports revenue generation, reduces visual clutter, and minimises waste,” he said.
