Laxmikanth Test: Pressure Group - UPSC MCQ

They include:
(i) All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)–affiliated to CPI
(ii) Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC)–affiliated to
the Congress
(iii) Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS)–affiliated to the Socialists
(iv) Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU)– affiliated to the CPM
(v) Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS)– affiliated to the BJP
 

The trade unions voice the demands of the industrial workers. They are also known as labour groups. A peculiar feature of trade unions in India is that they are associated either directly or indirectly with different political parties. They include:  All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC)–affiliated to CPI

The pressure groups influence the policymaking and policy implementation in the government through legal and legitimate methods like lobbying, correspondence, publicity, propagandising, petitioning, public debating, maintaining contacts with their legislators and so forth. However, some times they resort to illegitimate and illegal methods like strikes, violent activities and corruption which damages public interest and administrative integrity.

• A pressure group is an organised group of people which are active in pursuing common interests.
• Pressure groups try to bring a change in public policy by exerting pressure on the government.
• The pressure groups are also called interest groups or vested groups.
• They do not have direct political party power.
• They are concerned with specific programs and issues and their activities are confined to the protection and promotion of the interests of their members by pressuring the government.
• The pressure groups influence the policy-making in the government through legal and legitimate methods like lobbying, correspondence publicity, propagandising, petitioning, public debating, legislations, etc. 

Pressure group:

• It refers to the group of people formed with the same opinion in order to achieve similar objectives. They are also called Interest groups. They create pressure on the government with public issues.
• Pressure groups vary in size and organizational structure, which may not necessarily represent the amount of influence exerted upon a government's policies.
• It is obvious that trade unions, business organizations, and professional associations can exert considerable pressure upon governments.
• Example: Bhartiya Kisan Union, Rashtriya SwayamSevak Sangh (RSS), Chipko Movement. 
   

The pressure groups influence the policymaking and policy implementation in the government through legal and legitimate methods like lobbying, correspondence, publicity, propagandizing, petitioning, public debating, maintaining contacts with their legislators and so forth. However, some times they resort to illegitimate and illegal methods like strikes, violent activities and corruption which damages public interest and administrative integrity.

The pressure groups influence the policymaking and policy implementation in the government through legal and legitimate methods like lobbying, correspondence, publicity, propagandising, petitioning, public debating, maintaining contacts with their legislators and so forth.

They are different from the political parties in that they neither contest elections nor try to capture political power. They are concerned with specific programmes and issues and their activities are confined to the protection and promotion of the interests of their members by influencing the government.

• Started in 1980, Bachpan Bachao Andolan is India's largest movement for the protection of children and works with government agencies and policy makers to strengthen the system.
• Kailash Satyarthl is the founder of the movement.
• He is a Nobel Peace Laureate, who envisions a world where all children are free, safe, healthy, receive quality education, and have the opportunity to realise their potential. 

The correct answer is All the above 

• A pressure group is a group of people who are organised actively for promoting and defending their common interest.
• It is called so, as it attempts to bring a change in public policy by exerting pressure on the government. It acts as a liaison between the government and its members.
• The pressure groups are also called interest groups or vested groups. 
• The pressure groups influence the policy-making and policy implementation in the government through legal and legitimate methods like lobbying, correspondence, publicity, propagandising, petitioning, public debating, maintaining contacts with their legislators and so forth.
• Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Associated Chamber of Commerce and industry of India (ASSOCHAM), Federation of All India Foodgrain Dealers Association (FAIFDA) are Pressure Groups in Business Groups.
• All - India Trade Union Congress (ATUC), Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Bharatlya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) are Trade Unions.