In making decisions about important questions, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between strong and weak arguments. Strong arguments are those, which are both important and directly related to the question. Weak arguments are those, which are of minor importance and also may not be directly related to the question or may be related to a trivial aspect of the question. The questions below are followed by two arguments each numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the two arguments is the strong argument and which is the weak argument. Statement: Should the Indian Government withdraw the subsidies on LPG cylinders considering a portion of the population can afford to buy unsubsidised cylinders? Arguments: Yes. Subsidising cylinders leads to its misuse. By not giving subsidies on cylinders, the Government can save a part of its income and spend it on other more productive uses. No. Withdrawing subsidies on cylinders would make them too expensive for the poor and the middle class income groups and they would eventually turn to unsustainable means for household uses leading to pollution and ill health.
In making decisions about important questions, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between strong and weak arguments. Strong arguments are those, which are both important and directly related to the question. Weak arguments are those, which are of minor importance and also may not be directly related to the question or may be related to a trivial aspect of the question. The questions below are followed by two arguments each numbered I and II. You have to decide which of the two arguments is the strong argument and which is the weak argument. Statement: Should the Indian Government withdraw the subsidies on LPG cylinders considering a portion of the population can afford to buy unsubsidised cylinders? Arguments: Yes. Subsidising cylinders leads to its misuse. By not giving subsidies on cylinders, the Government can save a part of its income and spend it on other more productive uses. No. Withdrawing subsidies on cylinders would make them too expensive for the poor and the middle class income groups and they would eventually turn to unsustainable means for household uses leading to pollution and ill health. Correct Answer Only Argument II is strong.
Withdrawing subsidies is not a viable option when a large proportion of the population in India is below poverty line. While people with high income can afford to buy cylinders without subsidies, the poor cannot. It would only handicap them and they would have to turn to other sources to fulfill their needs which are neither good for the environment nor for their health. Therefore, subsidies should not be withdrawn and option 2 is the right answer.