ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I heartily express my deep sense of gratitude to my respectable guide and supervisor, Dr. J.S. Pasricha, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Business Studies, Punjabi University Patiala, without whose expert advice, specialist supervision and constructive critical comments this research project would not have become a reality. He has been kind enough to spare his precious time to guide and direct me through this research work. Words fall short of expressing my gratefulness to him. I also offer my thanks to Prof. Rajeev Kansal, Head, Department of Commerce, Punjabi University Patiala for his co-operation in my research work. I am thankful to all faculty members of Department of Commerce, Punjabi University, Patiala for their useful suggestions and guidance. My thanks are also due to the administrative staff of the department, Mr. Ramanjeet Singh and Mr. Molu Ram Yadav for their co-operation in compliance of the procedural formalities of the university and the use of various infrastructural facilities in the department. I duly acknowledge the wholehearted help and co-operation extended to me by Dr. Dharminder Singh, Principal, Khalsa College Patiala, Dr. Balwinder Singh, Guru Nanak Dev University Amritsar, Dr. Gursharan Singh Pasricha, Govt. Shivalik College Naya Nangal, Dr. Swinder Singh, Guru Nanak College Phagwara, Dr. Ashwani Bhalla, Dr. Harblas Heera of Govt. College for Boys, Ludhiana and Dr. Parmesh Jha of Naya Nangal. I would also like to thank my colleagues at N.J.S.A. Government College, Kapurthala especially Dr. Bikram Singh Virk and Dr. Jasvinder Singh for their useful guidance and suggestions. I sincerely thank the library staff of Rattan Tata Library, New Delhi, Library of Ministry of Finance, New Delhi, ICSSR library New Delhi, library of Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, New Delhi, University Business School Library Chandigarh, PAU library Ludhiana and libraries of Ludhiana Stock Exchange and Delhi Stock Exchange for making available to me most of the material used in this research work. I remain indebted to my parents and family members for encouragement and support to complete my research work. I must recognize my daughter Neetika and son Navlakshaya, who not only sacrificed many hours of their fatherly love and care, but also helped me in my research work.

I will be failing in my duty if I do not thank my wife Prof. Chander Kanta, without whose encouragement and co-operation, I could not imagine taking up this project. I must acknowledge my thanks to numerous authors and researchers, whose work I read, admired, assimilated and have quoted in my work. Last but not the least, I thank everyone who helped me directly or indirectly in the completion of this research work.

Date

Tirath Ram Basra