Jamshedpur, Dec. 9: As a woman, have you stood in a long ATM queue and been stared at or groped but kept quiet, not wanting to create a scene? From today, head to the first pink-label ATM meant for women, courtesy SBI main branch in Bistupur.

"We understood problems faced by women in queues. As we have seven onsite ATMs at our main branch, we gave one a coat of pink and a signage saying ATM for ladies. Our other branches with multiple ATMs will be asked to replicate it for women's convenience," SBI assistant general manager Rajesh Kumar Verma said.

The step garnered both admirers and detractors.

Among those who praised it was East Singhbhum DC Amit Kumar, who inaugurated the pink ATM at the SBI this afternoon. "Women face problems standing with men in queues. Such arrangements will help women. We will suggest other banks to take up similar measures," he said.

Jyoti Kumari, a commerce student who was the first to withdraw money from the pink ATM, agreed. "I faced stares from men while standing in the queue. The pink ATM has saved me from such troubles, though it means an 8km commute from my Mango home."

Detractors wondered why able-bodied women should get special privileges when senior citizens and the differently abled did not.

"A special ATM to protect women from eve-teasing defies logic. Aren't there security guards at ATMs? Banks should come up with dedicated ATMs for elderly people like us or the disabled," said Sonari septuagenarian Jawaharlal Sharma.

East Singhbhum district administration, campaigning for cashless transactions at commercial hubs, said they wanted Sakchi and Bistupur markets to be cashless by December 15. "We have met the SCCI and traders who said they would install PoS devices and accept e-wallets," DC Kumar said.