Shimla, May 29 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday started a programme to save the girl child in the Kangra district - the state's largest.

The programme named 'Kangre Di Munni' or girl child of Kangra, a social campaign of the district administration under the 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', was launched from Jwalamukhi, the town known from the popular Hindu shrine.

Lauding the efforts of the district administration, the chief minister said such an initiative would help saving the girl child and would go a long way in improving the sex ratio.

Though the sex ratio in the state, he said, is quite good, there are few districts like Una, Hamirpur and Kangra where the sex ratio is low.

Virbhadra Singh also celebrated the birthday of the girls who were born this month by presenting them the gifts.

Deputy Commissioner Ritesh Chauhan, the brainchild behind the programme, said the sex ratio in the district is 876 females per 1000 males.

He said the district administration has involved 'anganwadi' workers and 'mahila mandals' to make the programme a success.