Two-hour daily mobile, TV ban to address concerns over excessive screen time among children in Maharashtra's Dharashiv district

A siren will be sounded at 7 pm, and TV and mobile phones will be switched off till 9 pm across 712 gram panchayats in the district

Mumbai: In a move to enhance students’ academic focus and address rising concerns over excessive screen time, the zilla parishad (ZP) in Dharashiv has decided to enforce a daily two-hour shutdown of mobile phones and televisions across villages in the district in Maharashtra's Marathwada region.

Dharashiv, formerly known as Osmanabad, is noted for landmarks such as the 5th-century Dharashiv caves and the Tulja Bhavani temple.

The ‘No TV, no mobile’ initiative will be implemented between 7 pm and 9 pm across 712 gram panchayats in the district.

“The decision has been taken against the backdrop of increasing screen dependency, particularly among school-going children,” said Dharashiv Zilla Parishad president Archana Patil.

“A siren will be sounded at 7 pm in all gram panchayats. From 7 pm to 9 pm, TVs and mobile phones will be switched off. Around 750 government staff will be deployed to ensure compliance during this period,” Patil said.

The initiative aims to encourage students to focus on academics, reduce screen time, and foster a disciplined study routine. 

Officials said the broader objective is to cultivate interest in studies and steer children away from digital distractions.

While the move is being seen as an innovative intervention, its success will depend on public acceptance and cooperation, particularly in balancing enforcement with community participation, officials added.