Wives' day out

Champions of the women’s reservation Bill in Parliament may want to consult the Chhattisgarh government on how far it can empower women. The state’s urban department recently felt constrained to issue a circular to its officials ordering them to keep away from official affairs the husbands of elected women corporators. State Urban Development Minister Rajesh Munat says their husbands have been attending corporation meetings and even issuing instructions to officials. A similar circular was issued to the husbands of elected women sarpanches a few months ago. If the interference continues, the state government has threatened, the wife could be removed from her post.