Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Kavya Sanjaya Author-Workplace-Name: University of Hyderabad Title: Decentralization and the Saga of Corruption Abstract: The growth of democracy and parliamentary institutions in India are legacies of the British rule. This is not to say that participatory government was unknown to India. We are aware of the existence of many bodies which aided and advised the King on several aspects of the State. But the idea of elections and the prominence of elected bodies in the governance of the State is undoubtedly an adapted Western concept. It need not hurt our patriotic pride to accept the fact that the democratic ideals and institutions in India were borrowed from the West. But implementation of such ideals in order to be effective must take into account the indigenous conditions - the vast social, cultural and religious diversity of the country. The growth of democratic institutions in India saw the recommendations of the Commission and the consequent 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts ushering in an era of decentralization through a three tier Raj system. Decentralization process in India has gone a long way but the process is not complete, in the sense, that the participation of the poor and the disadvantaged sections of the society in local democracy (PRI and ULB) is yet to be institutionalized. The merits and demerits of the decentralization process continue to be a red hot topic in various forums. One demerit pointed out is the prevalence of corruption. Has decentralization made corruption broad-based in the country? Has the tentacles of corruption permeated from the elite to the poor? The paper attempts to examine the various facets of corruption vis-a-vis the decentralization process. Keywords: decentralization, panchayatiRaj, PRI and ULB, corruption, democracy, secularism Journal: Shanlax International Journal of Economics Pages: 1-8 Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Year: 2018 Month: December File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/263 File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/263/114 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:acg:journl:v:7:y:2018:i:1:p:1-8 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: S Sha Hussain Yacob Khan Author-Workplace-Name: Madurai Kamaraj University Title: Virtual Water: The Exploitation of The Elixir of Life thru The Invisible Treasure Trade Abstract: Virtual water is the volume of water that is used in the production process of a commodity (Allan, 2003). Agricultural trade is by far the largest vehicle to move water virtually around the world. The effects of water scarcity in many countries and regions can be reduced through open farm trade and specialization. Many world countries are now suffering water shortages and expect worsening conditions in the future due to climate change, economic development and food demand increases. Therefore, this paper analyses about the most exporting water-intensive agricultural product and its virtual water content in the same using secondary data from various government data sources not only to find the virtual water content and also for the inhibition of the elixir of life. Hargreaves- Samani Method has been used for calculating the value of evapotranspiration and Allan, Hoekstra formula for finding virtual water value. Keywords: Virtual water, Inhibition, Elixir of Life Journal: Shanlax International Journal of Economics Pages: 9-13 Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Year: 2018 Month: December File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/266 File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/266/129 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:acg:journl:v:7:y:2018:i:1:p:9-13 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: P K Chitra Author-Workplace-Name: Madurai Kamaraj University Title: Relationship Marketing Practices in Retail Outlets in Selected Districts of Kerala Abstract: Relationship marketing offers mutual benefits for retailers and their customers. It facilitates customers in reduction of choices. The marketers are benefitted by improved customer loyalty and referrals. In order to find out the important relationship marketing practices among the organized and unorganized retail outlets in selected districts of Kerala, this descriptive study has been undertaken. It reveals that organized retailers are better in having RMPs compared to unorganized retailers. Keywords: Relationship Marketing, retailers, RMP, Organized retailers, unorganized retailers Journal: Shanlax International Journal of Economics Pages: 14-19 Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Year: 2018 Month: December File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/268 File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/268/116 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:acg:journl:v:7:y:2018:i:1:p:14-19 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: J Mohamed Ali Author-Workplace-Name: Khadir Mohideen College Author-Name: N Thahira Author-Workplace-Name: Khadir Mohideen College Title: Patient Satisfaction with Service of Outpatient Departments of Selected Hospitals in Theni Abstract: Health scenario is changing world wide. Human satisfaction is the complex psychological concept and it depends on many factors. Interaction between the health service provider(health care centers, clinics and Hospitals) and its patient customer is the primary core of health service business, and the influence of trust on service quality of hospitals and patient satisfaction could not be ignored in social base services encounters. The Outpatient (OP) department of the hospitals, patients come for their health needs either for treatment or for diagnosis. The main objective of the study was to measure the satisfaction level of the patients attending in Outpatient (OP) Department of selected hospitals in Theni.This descriptive study was performed to determine patient satisfaction with itsSociodemographic predictors in outpatient (OP) departments of hospitals in Theni. Data's were collected in the form of semi structured questionnaires and face to face interview conducted to them and it consists of two parts. The first part related to the sociodemographic profile of the patients. The second part focused on questions related to patient care. Keywords: Patient's Satisfaction, Outpatient (OP) department, Hospital Services Journal: Shanlax International Journal of Economics Pages: 20-26 Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Year: 2018 Month: December File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/265 File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/265/117 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:acg:journl:v:7:y:2018:i:1:p:20-26 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: R Govindasamy Author-Workplace-Name: Bharathiar University Title: A Study on Production of Coconut in Coimbatore District, Tamilnadu Abstract: This study intends to analyse the production aspects of coconut cultivation in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu state. Multistage sampling technique was used to select the respondents by selecting district in first stage, blocks in second stage, villages in third stage and farmer respondents in fourth stage. gross returns estimated for one acre of coconut cultivation was Rs. 81907.94 for small farmer, Rs. 76794.40 for medium farmers and Rs. 67395.72 for large farmers and the estimated gross for over all farms was estimated as Rs. 75366.02 in considering the variable costs alone. Keywords: coconut, cost and returns, farmers Journal: Shanlax International Journal of Economics Pages: 27-35 Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Year: 2018 Month: December File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/zenodo.2528787 File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/zenodo.2528787/118 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:acg:journl:v:7:y:2018:i:1:p:27-35 Template-Type: ReDIF-Article 1.0 Author-Name: Bishnu Mohan Swain Author-Workplace-Name: Chandbali College Title: Role of Lead Bank Scheme on Area Development: A Study with Special Reference to Chandbali Block of Odisha Abstract: Banks are playing a vital role for the economic development of a nation. The Banking industry in India as emerged as one of the accredited agencies for providing rural credit after independence. A number of novel and innovative schemes and programmes have been designed and implemented. Among them, the Lead Bank Scheme (LBS) of 1969 plays a strategic role in the Indian economy. This has the objective of taking each and every district on the development path by reducing imbalances among regions and sectors. Lead Bank as the leader bank of the district coordinates the activities of banks, government offices and other stakeholders both at state level and district level. However, many structural and technological changes have taken place during recent periods. In the changed context of financial sector reforms, the validity of the scheme is being questioned in some quarters of the banking circle. The present research intends to study and throw light on the role of lead bank in area development. The impact of Government sponsored scheme on beneficiaries before and after utilizing the bank loan, in terms of income, asset and employment generation has be examined and evaluated in this research exercise. Keywords: Financial inclusion, Lead Bank Scheme (LBS), Banking Industry Journal: Shanlax International Journal of Economics Pages: 36-41 Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Year: 2018 Month: December File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/274 File-Format: text/html File-URL: https://www.shanlaxjournals.in/journals/index.php/economics/article/view/274/241 File-Format: Application/pdf Handle: RePEc:acg:journl:v:7:y:2018:i:1:p:36-41