Government will open Bharatiya Mahila Bank in all states in next five months. Inaugurating a registered office and a branch of the Bank in New Delhi today, Finance Minister, P Chidambaram said, this Bank is not only a symbol but also substance of women empowerment. The Minister also said that empowerment of women cannot happen without financial empowerment. Indore branch of the Bank also became functional today. With this nine branches of bank have become operational in the country.

Our correspondent reports the first branch of the bank was opened by the Prime Minister in Mumbai last month along with branches in Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Guwahati. The Bank has been allocated an initial capital of 1000 crore rupees. It will lend funds to women, women run businesses, women Self Help Groups and will employ predominantly women. The bank will also focus on an integrated approach for the development of girl child into an economically empowered woman.

On this occasion, Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit urged the Bank to roll out more women friendly products. The Ministers of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena and J D Seelam were also present in the function.