Raja Khas, a village in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, has been declared the state’s first Solar Model Village under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar – Muft Bijli Yojana. The village achieved a solar installation capacity of 3,700 kilowatts, winning a competition among 43 villages and receiving a ?1 crore grant to boost solar infrastructure.

Key Points:

• Raja Khas secured the title of Himachal Pradesh’s first Solar Model Village by installing 3,700 kilowatts of solar capacity.
• The village competed with 43 other villages over six months to achieve this recognition.
• The government has provided a ?1 crore grant to further enhance solar development in Raja Khas.
• Public institutions like schools, panchayat offices, health centers, anganwadis, and community halls have been solarized.
• The village community, led by sarpanch Jyoti Devi, has actively participated in the solar initiative, promoting rural self-reliance and environmental sustainability.