Losing relevance of Panchayati Raj Ministry

After facing a massive budget cut coupled with the closure of its two key programmes, Ministry of Panchayati Raj is said to have lost relevance and if some rumours are to be believed, the ministry would soon be closed down ..

Attacks on Africans and its effect on Indo-Africa Relationships

In the wake of attacks against African nationals in the country and the murder of Masonga Kitanda Olivier, a 23-year-old Congolese French teacher, envoys of 42 African countries made a call to boycott the Government of India’s “Africa Day” celebrations. ..

India Post Payment Bank (IPPB)

In June 2016, the Union Cabinet has given approval to set up India Post Payment Bank (IPPB). The proposal is to make 650 branches operational by the end of September 2017. The announcement of setting up IPPB to further financial ..

Union Cabinet approves merger of Rail budget with General budget

The Union Cabinet has approved the proposals of Ministry of Finance to merge of Railway budget with the General budget. Merger of Railway Budget with the General Budget will be effective from the Budget 2017-18.  It will end 92-year-old tradition as ..

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2016

Union Cabinet approves submarine OFC connectivity between Chennai and Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Union Cabinet has given its approval for provision of a direct communication link through a dedicated submarine Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) between Chennai (mainland India) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The submarine OFC will connect mainland with Port Blair ..

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2016

Union Cabinet approves advancement of the Budget presentation

The Union Cabinet has given in principle approval for advancement of the date of Budget presentation from the last day of February to a suitable date. Besides in another reform relating to budgetary process, Union Cabinet has approved merger of ..

Month: Current Affairs - September, 2016

Pressure Groups versus Lobbying

Lobbying is a communication process used by members of a pressure group for persuasion. Lobbying is used to influence governmental policy process. It also acts as an instrument that links citizens and decision-makers. Lobbying takes place when a few members ..

Role of Pressure Groups in Democracy

Pluralists believe that pressure groups advance the idea of democracy. Elitists claim that the pressure groups underline and weaken the democratic process. The pressure groups promote the democracy by: Supplementing electoral democracy Pluralists argue that the pressure groups may supplement ..

Plurism and Pressure Groups

Pluralism is a theory of the distribution of political power that says that the power is widely and evenly dispersed in society, rather than concentrated in the hands of an elite or ruling class. Thus, the pluralists have a positive ..

Pressure Groups: Methods of Exerting Influence

There are a variety of ways via which the pressure groups could exert influence. These include – Via Ministers and civil servants, Parliamentary Lobbying, Via Political parties, Raising Public opinion and Direct action. Ministers and civil servants Ministers and Governments ..