The question given below consists of a statement, followed by three arguments I, II and III. You have to decide which of the arguments is/are ‘strong’ arguments is/are ‘weak’ arguments and accordingly choose your answer from the alternatives given below each question. Statement: White goods makers say the government’s decision to increase customs duty on air-conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines will expand manufacturing operations in the country and manufacturers will now get ready to locally produce the premium products and compressors. Which of the following arguments weaken the possibility of the manufactures producing premium products locally? Arguments: I. The increase in basic customs duty will bring back the emphasis on Make in India vision and at the same time drive momentum for locally manufactured goods and develop new capacities in India. II. Retailers too feel the demand for premium appliances should not be impacted during the up-coming festive since the stock is already in the market. III. The hike in import duties will lead to a significant rise in the AC prices in the forthcoming summer season of 2019 since India still largely imports components like the compressor.
The question given below consists of a statement, followed by three arguments I, II and III. You have to decide which of the arguments is/are ‘strong’ arguments is/are ‘weak’ arguments and accordingly choose your answer from the alternatives given below each question. Statement: White goods makers say the government’s decision to increase customs duty on air-conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines will expand manufacturing operations in the country and manufacturers will now get ready to locally produce the premium products and compressors. Which of the following arguments weaken the possibility of the manufactures producing premium products locally? Arguments: I. The increase in basic customs duty will bring back the emphasis on Make in India vision and at the same time drive momentum for locally manufactured goods and develop new capacities in India. II. Retailers too feel the demand for premium appliances should not be impacted during the up-coming festive since the stock is already in the market. III. The hike in import duties will lead to a significant rise in the AC prices in the forthcoming summer season of 2019 since India still largely imports components like the compressor. Correct Answer Only I is strong.
We first make sure to read the statement carefully and then see what immediate inferences can be drawn based on our first reading. The next step is to look at the arguments given in the options, analyze them and see if they seem relevant with respect to the information/data provided to us. Finally, it is very important to study the question closely.
Following the aforementioned steps, we must analyze the given statement and the corresponding question closely. The statement is about the increase in the customs duty for various appliances and the possibility that this might lead to an increase in the local productions of premium goods.
In the question, it is asked which of the following arguments weaken the question asked thus, we must work accordingly.
Argument (I) correctly weakens the given question by stating the fact that the increase in the import charges will not result in the local production of premium goods, rather, will support Make in India, thereby decreasing the imports and producing the goods within India. As it weakens the idea that local productions will not occur rather ideas and initiatives will be carried out in order to strengthen productions within the country which will not be local productions of the premium goods.
Both arguments (II) and (III) are narrow as they have a limited perspective of either the up-coming festive or demand of A.C.s in the forthcoming summer season of 2019 respectively. As there are more factors also involved and other goods also which are not covered in these two arguments. Thus, these two arguments are weak in weakening the given question and can thus be rejected.
Thus, the correct answer is option 4.