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Judges’ demand shameful
The Punjab government has rightly refused to concede to the demand of the Punjab and Haryana High Court for the construction of an “exclusive” five-star guesthouse for judges in Amritsar. Is there no end to such British-raj luxuries? Why can’t the judges go to a five-star hotel at their own expense when they visit the holy Golden Temple, like the ordinary folks? Why not build another five-star guesthouse in Agra for the Supreme Court judges to stay there while visiting Taj Mahal? When the poor do not have enough money to make both ends meet in our country, no public servant has a right to demand public money for private visits. It is unfortunate that knowing full well that the Punjab government is finding it hard to pay salaries to its staff, high court judges should be demanding such luxuries. I hope the public opposes it. Anil Sood, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
Preserve heritage
It was distressing to learn that the Old Sessions Court building in Amritsar is being demolished to accommodate a new guesthouse (November 21). I hope the authorities in Amritsar would stay off such buildings. These monuments are associated with the emergence of India’s national movement at a mass level in 1919 when Amritsar had played a stellar role. Courthouses of that period are memorials of the Independence Movement and were the sites of battles between freedom fighters and the colonial authorities. These are heritage buildings of national importance. Those responsible for the demolition should be answerable. Anil Nauriya, New Delhi
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Why women’s banks? The editorial “Bank for women” (November 21) favours more such banks for the convenience and upgradation of the lifestyle of citizens, especially the villagers. But the opening of a bank exclusively for women and to be managed by women is hardly digestible. How does this seclusion work towards the upgradation of women? Are the existing banks too hostile for women to venture into or deal with? The banks, both in the public and private sectors alike, provide dignified careers to women and ensure their respectability. We should not promote gender bias, rather curb it. Exclusive banking for women may disturb the equilibrium between genders. MPS Chadha, Mohali Train women in banking The opening of a bank for women is a good initiative. More such branches need to be opened countrywide since many schemes and initiatives for women have failed at the stage of implementation. But the question is whether it will work as per the aim. A lot of women in India are still unaware about the complexities of banking. The bank authorities should educate the women so that they are not cheated and they can derive benefit from the schemes. Thakur Sen, Shimla Women’s banks unjustified The all-women banks will provide access to banking for the rural population, particularly the women. But a huge infrastructure is required to spread such branches across the nation. In that case, it may not yield any fruitful result. Also, the fact remains that in a traditional Indian family, it is the man and not the woman who goes out for borrowing money and loans. No bank denies loans to women, if they need them. The banking service recruitment board and RBI can make the banking system women friendly within the present set-up by recruiting more women officers and opening more service branches in rural areas, rather taking the gender-based approach. The women’s banks seem unjustifiable. BALAK RAM DHIMAN, Hamirpur Sinha should go CBI director Sinha’s utterance in public, “If you can’t prevent rape, you better enjoy it”, was not said unwittingly. It showcases his mental insolvency and is a blow to the refined sensitivities of women. Earlier, he had said that he had had to share his investigation reports with the ministers as he was their servant. Now when the formation of the CBI itself is under a cloud, Sinha deserves to be issued marching orders from the outfit for speaking such unpalatable words. No apology is suffice to undo the harm he has caused. Major Baldev Singh, Ambala cantt
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