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As a former principal advisor in Planning Commission of India and someone with a doctorate in public finance here are my views about the proposal by Delhi govt to make public transport free for women and the concerns raised by metro man Sreedharan Ji, about this proposal
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Sreedharan is taking public finance administrative approach. We were taught that subsidies are per se bad because they distort market prices. But most markets are already distorted in favour of those who have better information, they are also captured by those who have means.
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2/6
But subsidies can empower weaker groups, set right market distortions and give the right incentives. I have seen countries like Brazil where certain groups (older people eg) travel free in buses.
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3/6
By giving women this concession, Delhi govt has recognised how important mobility is to empower women. In my experience, a woman who has no money of her own and also cannot move around freely is not empowered.
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4/6
Even women in rich families have their mobility controlled or are kept short of funds. Women who earn their own incomes too are often forced to hand it all over to controlling males and cannot escape abusive homes. These are all facts of life.
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5/6
Free bus travel for women will redress some imbalances. Those of us who want to pay for bus travel can do so if we wish. Sreedharan's ideas will work only if we have a society where women are treated as equals.
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6/6
