Question

In making decisions about an important question, it is desirable to be able to distinguish between 'strong' arguments and 'weak' arguments. 'Strong' arguments must be both important and directly related to the question. 'Weak' arguments may not be directly related to the question and may be of minor importance or may be related to the trivial aspects of the question. The question below is followed by three arguments numbered I, II, and III. You have to decide which of the arguments is a 'strong' argument and which is a 'weak' argument.

Statement Should the salary and perquisites of the public sector undertaking employees be made equivalent to those in the private sector?

Arguments

1. Yes, this will help the public sector undertaking to attract and retain a competent workforce.
2. No, public sector undertakings cannot afford to pay salaries to the level of the private sector.
3. Yes, otherwise the public sector undertakings will not be able to compete with the private sector organisations.

Options

• None is strong

• Only Ill is strong

• Only I is strong

• I and Ill are strong

Answer 1

I and Ill are strong
Explanation:
The competent workforce is desirable. Hence, Argument I is strong. Argument II does not appear to be true for all PSUs. And even it is true, an argument that takes resource in helplessness seems to fall short on merit.
Argument III is strong as competition is desirable.