Raja Khas Village in Indora Declared Himachal’s First Solar Model Village, Awarded ₹1 Crore Grant for Development

Dharamshala, May 27:
Raja Khas village in Indora has been selected as Himachal Pradesh’s first official Solar Model Village, Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa announced on Tuesday. The village will receive a development grant of ₹1 crore to expand and promote green energy under the initiative.

Chairing the District-Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) meeting held under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, Bairwa said the selection followed a six-month-long competition among 43 villages in Kangra district. Raja Khas emerged as the top performer, having installed the highest number of solar power units during the evaluation period.

As a result of this achievement, the village will now be developed into a fully solar-powered model settlement. A government-appointed implementation agency will prepare and execute a detailed project report (DPR) to transform the village using sustainable solar infrastructure.

The Deputy Commissioner also reiterated the administration’s commitment to effectively implementing the PM Surya Ghar scheme across Kangra district.

Project Officer of HIMURJA and DLCC Member Secretary Ramesh Thakur added that the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana is being executed by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited, with HIMURJA designated as the nodal agency for monitoring its implementation.

Key components of the scheme include:

• Central financial assistance for residential solar installations

• Solar power deployment on government buildings

• Incentives for local bodies promoting renewable energy

• Development of designated Solar Model Villages

The meeting was attended by Zila Parishad Chairman Ramesh Barad, senior engineers from the State Electricity Board including Vikas Thakur, Vishal Thakur, and Kulbir, as well as Junior Engineers from HIMURJA.