Letters: Empowering women?

This refers to the report "Bharatiya Mahila Bank starts with 7 branches" (November 20). Bharatiya Mahila Bank is a classic case study of how the government at the Centre can act fast if it wants to - getting a budget proposal passed in February, and establishing a bank itself in less than eight months. No one in the media has commented on the speed with which a new bank was set up by infusing ~1,000 crore as initial capital. What could have been the reason for this urgency? Is it the need to empower women? Or, is it the issue of balancing the gender discrimination? None of these got prioritised in decision-making. With state elections round the corner and the impending general elections in May 2014, the ruling party has planned to snatch the votes from women. Sexual offences against women had raked up public anger on the ruling party. If we are to believe the prime minister, it is only a "small step" in the direction of empowering women. Yes, it can wean away women vegetable vendors from the clutches of usurious moneylenders. But for how long. Is it unreasonable to assume till May 2014?

K V Rao, Bangalore

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