Bhubaneswar: Sex-workers in the capital of cash-strapped Orissa have suggested a rather unique idea to help improve the state's balance sheet: a government corporation to regulate their trade.

It would mean that their trade would first have to be legalized, which observers consider a remote possibility although it has not deterred the proponents of the idea.

The sex workers are believed to have written letters to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and other government officials sounding them out about the proposition. They've even threatened demonstrations if the idea does not find favor with the government.

What has spurred them on is the state government's decision to set up a corporation to import, export and retail liquor in Orissa.

"The sex workers feel that they can also contribute to the state exchequer if a similar corporation is constituted for them and they are allowed to sell sex under a government body," says Abhrani Chouhduri, who is the secretary of an organization that works for the welfare of sex workers.

"By setting up a corporation, the state government would be able to prevent deadly diseases like AIDS and can also generate income," said Sarojini, one of the backers of the proposal.

According to a survey of the sex trade, there are an estimated 2.4 million sex workers in India and about 115,000 sex workers in Orissa. Sex workers have for long demanded that their profession be legalized and given the status of a legitimate trade.

India Abroad News Service