India's largest state bank is looking to expand it customer base by encouraging sex workers in Kolkata to deposit their earnings in a savings account, a bank official said.
The State Bank of India will relax some rules to accommodate potential clients from Sonagachi in central Kolkata, one of Asia's biggest the red light districts, said Ranajoy Ghosh, assistant manager of the institution.
"Tomorrow we will open accounts for 300 sex workers in Sonagachi, where an estimated 30,000 brothel-based sex workers are operating," he said.
"You can say it's a little recognition for the sex workers who are fighting for legal status for their profession and social recognition," Ghosh said.
The bank has reduced the required minimum deposit from Rs 500 to Rs 300 and will forgo the lengthy verification procedures normally required for new clients, Ghosh said.
"The bank's officers are in talks with non-governmental organizations working in red light districts. Now, we will accept those who are referred by these NGOs.
"The NGOs will verify their identity and fulfil other conditions needed for maintaining a bank account," he said.
Smarajit Jena, chief adviser to the Durbar Mahila Samannaya Committee, a leading NGO working in red light districts in India, said sex workers usually keep their savings at home or with people they trust.
"The mood in Sonagachi is upbeat as sex workers feel depositing savings in a nationalised bank would be an added security. They have taken it as social recognition for their profession," said Jena.
Sex worker Pratul Sinha hailed the drive by the country's largest nationalised bank to enrol them as customers as 'a great achievement.'
-- AFP
