Himachal CM launches energy saving programme

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday launched a state-wide LED promotional programme for conserving energy.

Speaking at the state-level function to mark Himachal Day here, he said three LED bulbs would be made available to each domestic consumer at subsidised rates by the government.

The consumers would have to pay Rs.10 per bulb per month for 15 months.

On the occasion, the chief minister said all the part-time workers, on completion of eight years of service as on March 31, would be made daily wagers.

The government has also decided to cover all those daily-wage earners, part-time workers, anganwari workers and helpers and mid-day meal workers, who are not covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana, under the Mukhya Mantri State Health Care Scheme to provide them basic and critical healthcare.

Virbhadra Singh said the per capita income which was Rs.240 in 1948 has gone up to Rs.104,943.

The chief minister bestowed 'Himachal Gaurav Puraskar' on renowned doctors -- Raj Bahadur, who is now vice chancellor of the Baba Farid University of Health and Sciences in Bathinda in Punjab, and D.S. Rana, chairman of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in New Delhi.

The 'Prerna Srot Samman' was given to Himachali-origin Bollywood actress Kangna Ranaut, whose parents received on her behalf.