Himachal’s First Solar Model Village – Raja Khas
Kartavya Desk Staff
Context: Raja Khas village in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, has been declared the state’s first solar model village, aimed at rural energy self-reliance.
About Himachal’s First Solar Model Village – Raja Khas:
• What it is?
• A village in Indora block, Kangra district, selected under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. Recognized for achieving the highest solar power capacity among 43 villages.
• A village in Indora block, Kangra district, selected under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
• Recognized for achieving the highest solar power capacity among 43 villages.
• Key Features:
• Receives ₹1 crore central grant for solar infrastructure: Solar power plant, solar street lights, water heaters. Solarization of all public institutions: schools, panchayat office, health centres, anganwadis, and community halls. Encourages community-led maintenance and solar adoption.
• Receives ₹1 crore central grant for solar infrastructure: Solar power plant, solar street lights, water heaters.
• Solarization of all public institutions: schools, panchayat office, health centres, anganwadis, and community halls.
• Encourages community-led maintenance and solar adoption.
• Significance:
• Promotes clean and decentralized energy access. Strengthens rural self-reliance and sustainability. Sets a replicable model for green energy transition in hill and rural areas. Empowers local governance and climate-conscious decision-making.
• Promotes clean and decentralized energy access.
• Strengthens rural self-reliance and sustainability.
• Sets a replicable model for green energy transition in hill and rural areas.
• Empowers local governance and climate-conscious decision-making.
UPSC Syllabus Relevance:
• General Studies Paper II:
• Decentralized Governance: Highlights the role of panchayats in clean energy transition. Government Initiatives: Linked to PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, promoting inclusive development.
• Decentralized Governance: Highlights the role of panchayats in clean energy transition.
• Government Initiatives: Linked to PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, promoting inclusive development.
• General Studies Paper III
• Environment & Sustainability: Promotes solar energy adoption and climate-resilient village planning. Rural Economy & Development: Empowers local infrastructure and self-reliance in energy access.
• Environment & Sustainability: Promotes solar energy adoption and climate-resilient village planning.
• Rural Economy & Development: Empowers local infrastructure and self-reliance in energy access.
• Essay Paper:
• Themes like “Sustainable Rural Futures” or “Empowering Villages for a Greener Tomorrow”. Explores synergy of clean energy, rural empowerment, and participative development.
• Themes like “Sustainable Rural Futures” or “Empowering Villages for a Greener Tomorrow”.
• Explores synergy of clean energy, rural empowerment, and participative development.