Should producers such as Ravi stop production because their cost of production is higher compared to producers in other countries? What do you think?
No, producers such as Ravi should not stop production. The small and medium industries employ the largest number of workers (11 crores) in the country, next only to agriculture. If these units shut down, it renders many workers jobless.
Instead of stopping, they need support to compete better in the market. Recent studies suggest that small producers need better infrastructure like roads and power, modernisation of technology, and timely availability of credit at reasonable interest rates. The government believes that competition will improve the performance and quality of producers, allowing them to survive rather than perish.
Explanation
The answer is derived from the textbook context which highlights the massive employment provided by small industries (11 crore workers) and the social cost of unemployment if they shut down. It utilizes the specific list of requirements mentioned in the 'Recent studies' section (infrastructure, technology, credit) to argue for government support rather than closure. It also references the government's rationale that competition improves quality.