Critical reasoning — scrapping the Public Distribution System (PDS): Should India abolish the PDS on the grounds that protectionism is outdated and everyone should earn their bread independently, and that the poor derive no benefit due to corruption?

Given data

• Statement: Scrap PDS?
• Argument I (Yes): Protectionism is over; everyone should procure bread on their own.
• Argument II (Yes): Corruption means the poor get no benefit.

Concept/Approach (policy purpose and evidence)A strong argument should be grounded in the PDS's welfare role and real performance, not ideology or blanket claims.

Step-by-step evaluation1) Argument I appeals to ideology and ignores food security aims; it doesn't justify abolishing a welfare mechanism.2) Argument II is an overstatement; even with leakages, reform (Aadhaar/DBT/PoS) is a typical response, not scrapping. Thus, both weak.

Final AnswerNeither I nor II is strong.