English Language and Comprehension Quiz
Test your English language skills including idioms, vocabulary (synonyms and antonyms), grammar, sentence structure, and reading comprehension with this comprehensive assessment.
Questions
Directions: The following question consists of a word in capital letters, followed by four words or groups of words. Select the word or group of words that is furthest in meaning to the word in capital letters.
SKEPTICISM
- Plausibility
- Audacity
- Reason
- Conviction
Directions: Identify the correct idiom or phrase to complete the sentence.
Shania __________ on her son all the time.
- puts attendance
- sings attendance
- pays attendance
- dances attendance
Directions: Choose the correct idiom or phrase and complete the sentence.
The speaker's observations on the subject were__________.
- beside the mark
- marked beside
- highly marked
- high in mark
Directions: Identify the correct idiom or phrase to complete the sentence.
This argument will not________.
- help water
- hold water
- hole in water
- whole water
Directions: Pick out the antonym.
SLACK
- braided
- taut
- dense
- enduring
Directions: Identify the correct idiom or phrase to complete the sentence.
Having walked four miles, I felt tired and _________.
- hit the dark
- hit the sack
- hit the bed
- hit the chair
Directions: Pick out the antonym.
SLAB
- sliver
- rock
- magnet
- silk
Directions: Pick out the synonym.
WEND
- to direct one's course
- to wander
- to weave
- to stoop
Directions: Pick out the synonym.
VOLITION
- act of changing rapidly
- uncertainty
- weakness of character
- will
Directions: Identify the correct idiom or phrase to complete the sentence.
His father died and his mother had a heart attack, but he _____.
- weathered the strike
- weathered the storm
- weathered the stream
- weathered the steam
Directions: Pick out the antonym.
SINUOUS
- vacant
- direct
- wet
- round
Directions: Pick out the antonym.
SLAKE
- prohibit
- identify
- anticipate
- intensify
Directions: Pick out the synonym.
VORTEX
- yawning chasm
- whirlpool
- highest point
- great heat
Directions: Pick out the synonym.
VERSATILE
- familiar
- winding
- probable
- many-sided
Directions: Pick out the synonym.
VOTIVE
- given in fulfillment of a vow
- changeable
- in agreement with
- enthusiastic
Directions: The sentence given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there are no errors, mark (E) as your answer.
(A) I want (B) that you (C) should meet and resolve your differences (D) as soon as possible. (E) No error
- (A)
- (B)
- (C)
- (D)
- (E)
Directions: The sentence given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there are no errors, mark (E) as your answer.
Let me (A) lay here and daydream (B) about my bright (C) upcoming future (D)in this company. (E) No error
- (A)
- (B)
- (C)
- (D)
- (E)
Directions: The sentence given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there are no errors, mark (E) as your answer.
(A) From the two given (B) pairs of shoes, I think the (C) last one has a (D) more snug and a sleek fit. (E) No error
- (A)
- (B)
- (C)
- (D)
- (E)
Directions: The sentence given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there are no errors, mark (E) as your answer.
(A) We discussed (B) about the matter yesterday (C) but (D) still it is not clear to anyone. (E) No error
- (A)
- (B)
- (C)
- (D)
- (E)
Directions: In the following sentence, the parts marked P, Q, R and S have been jumbled up. Rearrange these parts in the right sequence to produce the correct sentence. Choose the option that shows the correct sequence of the parts.
I
(P) wiping the drop
(Q) drag out my handkerchief
(R) which has fallen near my lips
(S) and dry my face
- P R S Q
- Q S P R
- Q R S P
- P Q R S
Directions: The sentence given below is divided into four parts (A), (B), (C) and (D). One of these parts may contain an error. You have to indicate that part as your answer. If there are no errors, mark (E) as your answer.
The lad (A) was sent with (B) a verbal message (C) to the doctor (D) to reach home immediately. (E) No error
- (A)
- (B)
- (C)
- (D)
- (E)
Directions: In this questions, the parts marked P, Q, R and S of the given sentence have been jumbled up. Rearrange these parts in the right sequence to produce the correct sentence. Choose the option that shows the correct sequence of the parts and mark it as your answer:
They chopped wood
P. and made the job
Q. so rapidly
R. seem attractive
S. that it fascinated me
- Q P R S
- P Q R S
- Q S P R
- P R Q S
Directions: In the following sentence, the parts marked P, Q, R and S have been jumbled up. Rearrange these parts in the right sequence to produce the correct sentence. Choose the option that shows the correct sequence of the parts.
We decided
(P) in the valley, near a stream
(Q) on building a cottage
(R) which flows from a fountain
(S) and is beautiful
- P S R Q
- Q S P R
- Q P R S
- R S P Q
Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the content of the passage?
Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
The productivity figures represent the number of machines per year produced at the plant in an average year during the late 1990s divided by the total manpower associated with that plant including both direct and indirect labour. All design staff and all sales and service staff are excluded. All managerial and supervisory staff are included. It might be expected that production volumes per man of the smaller type should be expected to be about double that of the medium type in a plant of equal productivity, but this ratio is a crude estimate and should be applied cautiously. If we accept this crude estimate for the appropriate correction factor, then the range between the maximum of 2 (smaller machines) and the minimum of 0.15 (medium machines) indicates a corrected ratio between the maximum and minimum productivity levels.
The figures for Taiwan which relate to standard machines are 2.6 (medium machines) and 5 (smaller machines) respectively. In the latter case, a high proportion of components are bought in. If, once again, we use the crude correction factor of 2 for machine size, then the ratio between the lowest Taiwanese score and the highest Indian score is a factor. This ratio should be compared to the corresponding ratio in wage rates; a comparison between the hourly rate paid to qualified machinists in the two countries suggests a wage ratio of about 6:1 for Taiwan relative to India at current exchange rates.
Now another aspect of the complete scenario: imports.
Today the import duty on a complete machine is 30% for all practical purpose, whereas the import duty on raw materials and components ranges from 35.85%. The story does not end here. After paying such high import duties on component, once a machine is made, it suffers excise duty from 5% – 10% (including on the customs duty already paid). At the time of sale, the machine tools suffer further taxation, i.e. central sales tax or State sales taxes which range from 4% – 16%. This much for the tax angle. Another factor, which pushes the cost of manufacture of machine tools, is the very high rate of interest payable to banks ranging up to 22%, as against 4%–7% prevailing in advanced countries.
The production of machine tools in India being not of the same scale as it is in other countries, the price which India's machine tool builders have to pay for components is more or less based on pattern of high pricing applicable to the prices of spares.
The machines tool industry in India has an enviable record of very quick technology absorption, assimilation and development. There are a number of success stories about how machine tool builders were of help at the most critical times. It will be a pity, in fact a tragedy, if we allow this industry to die and disappear from the scene.
It is to be noted that India is at least 6500 km away from any dependable source of supply of machine tools. The Government of India has always given a great deal of importance to the development of small scale and medium scale industries. This industry has also performed pretty well. Today, they are in need of help from India's machine tool industry to enable them to produce quality components at reduced costs. Is it anybody's case that the needs of the fragile sector (which needs tender care) will be met from 6500 km away?
Then, what is it that the industry request from the Government? It wants a level playing field. In fact, all of us must have a deep introspection and recognize the fact that the machine tool industry has a very special place in the country from the point of strategic and vital interest of the nation. Most important, it requests for the Government's consideration and understanding. It is therefore high time that the government gives the due attention to this industry which has a good potential.
- To levy heavy custom duty on the machine tool industry is quite necessary for its upliftment.
- Banks in other countries are running in loss owing to a low interest rate.
- The Government of India was not considerate to the difficulties faced by the machine tool industry.
- The Government of India has duly recognized the role of the machine tool industry.
Which of the following groups of statements is definitely true in the context of the passage?
Statement (I) The vital role of India's machine tool industry has not been duly recognized by the Government.
Statement (II) Small scale industry's performance can be further improved with the help of the Indian machine tool industry.
Statement (III) The author of the passage has not discussed all the factors which are responsible for high cost of Indian machines.
Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
The productivity figures represent the number of machines per year produced at the plant in an average year during the late 1990s divided by the total manpower associated with that plant including both direct and indirect labour. All design staff and all sales and service staff are excluded. All managerial and supervisory staff are included. It might be expected that production volumes per man of the smaller type should be expected to be about double that of the medium type in a plant of equal productivity, but this ratio is a crude estimate and should be applied cautiously. If we accept this crude estimate for the appropriate correction factor, then the range between the maximum of 2 (smaller machines) and the minimum of 0.15 (medium machines) indicates a corrected ratio between the maximum and minimum productivity levels.
The figures for Taiwan which relate to standard machines are 2.6 (medium machines) and 5 (smaller machines) respectively. In the latter case, a high proportion of components are bought in. If, once again, we use the crude correction factor of 2 for machine size, then the ratio between the lowest Taiwanese score and the highest Indian score is a factor. This ratio should be compared to the corresponding ratio in wage rates; a comparison between the hourly rate paid to qualified machinists in the two countries suggests a wage ratio of about 6:1 for Taiwan relative to India at current exchange rates.
Now another aspect of the complete scenario: imports.
Today the import duty on a complete machine is 30% for all practical purpose, whereas the import duty on raw materials and components ranges from 35.85%. The story does not end here. After paying such high import duties on component, once a machine is made, it suffers excise duty from 5% – 10% (including on the customs duty already paid). At the time of sale, the machine tools suffer further taxation, i.e. central sales tax or State sales taxes which range from 4% – 16%. This much for the tax angle. Another factor, which pushes the cost of manufacture of machine tools, is the very high rate of interest payable to banks ranging up to 22%, as against 4%–7% prevailing in advanced countries.
The production of machine tools in India being not of the same scale as it is in other countries, the price which India's machine tool builders have to pay for components is more or less based on pattern of high pricing applicable to the prices of spares.
The machines tool industry in India has an enviable record of very quick technology absorption, assimilation and development. There are a number of success stories about how machine tool builders were of help at the most critical times. It will be a pity, in fact a tragedy, if we allow this industry to die and disappear from the scene.
It is to be noted that India is at least 6500 km away from any dependable source of supply of machine tools. The Government of India has always given a great deal of importance to the development of small scale and medium scale industries. This industry has also performed pretty well. Today, they are in need of help from India's machine tool industry to enable them to produce quality components at reduced costs. Is it anybody's case that the needs of the fragile sector (which needs tender care) will be met from 6500 km away?
Then, what is it that the industry request from the Government? It wants a level playing field. In fact, all of us must have a deep introspection and recognize the fact that the machine tool industry has a very special place in the country from the point of strategic and vital interest of the nation. Most important, it requests for the Government's consideration and understanding. It is therefore high time that the government gives the due attention to this industry which has a good potential.
- Only (I) and (II)
- Only (I) and (III)
- Only (II) and (III)
- All the statements are true
If the bank's rate of interest in India is made at par with that in advanced countries, the cost of manufacturing of machine tools _______.
Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
The productivity figures represent the number of machines per year produced at the plant in an average year during the late 1990s divided by the total manpower associated with that plant including both direct and indirect labour. All design staff and all sales and service staff are excluded. All managerial and supervisory staff are included. It might be expected that production volumes per man of the smaller type should be expected to be about double that of the medium type in a plant of equal productivity, but this ratio is a crude estimate and should be applied cautiously. If we accept this crude estimate for the appropriate correction factor, then the range between the maximum of 2 (smaller machines) and the minimum of 0.15 (medium machines) indicates a corrected ratio between the maximum and minimum productivity levels.
The figures for Taiwan which relate to standard machines are 2.6 (medium machines) and 5 (smaller machines) respectively. In the latter case, a high proportion of components are bought in. If, once again, we use the crude correction factor of 2 for machine size, then the ratio between the lowest Taiwanese score and the highest Indian score is a factor. This ratio should be compared to the corresponding ratio in wage rates; a comparison between the hourly rate paid to qualified machinists in the two countries suggests a wage ratio of about 6:1 for Taiwan relative to India at current exchange rates.
Now another aspect of the complete scenario: imports.
Today the import duty on a complete machine is 30% for all practical purpose, whereas the import duty on raw materials and components ranges from 35.85%. The story does not end here. After paying such high import duties on component, once a machine is made, it suffers excise duty from 5% – 10% (including on the customs duty already paid). At the time of sale, the machine tools suffer further taxation, i.e. central sales tax or State sales taxes which range from 4% – 16%. This much for the tax angle. Another factor, which pushes the cost of manufacture of machine tools, is the very high rate of interest payable to banks ranging up to 22%, as against 4%–7% prevailing in advanced countries.
The production of machine tools in India being not of the same scale as it is in other countries, the price which India's machine tool builders have to pay for components is more or less based on pattern of high pricing applicable to the prices of spares.
The machines tool industry in India has an enviable record of very quick technology absorption, assimilation and development. There are a number of success stories about how machine tool builders were of help at the most critical times. It will be a pity, in fact a tragedy, if we allow this industry to die and disappear from the scene.
It is to be noted that India is at least 6500 km away from any dependable source of supply of machine tools. The Government of India has always given a great deal of importance to the development of small scale and medium scale industries. This industry has also performed pretty well. Today, they are in need of help from India's machine tool industry to enable them to produce quality components at reduced costs. Is it anybody's case that the needs of the fragile sector (which needs tender care) will be met from 6500 km away?
Then, what is it that the industry request from the Government? It wants a level playing field. In fact, all of us must have a deep introspection and recognize the fact that the machine tool industry has a very special place in the country from the point of strategic and vital interest of the nation. Most important, it requests for the Government's consideration and understanding. It is therefore high time that the government gives the due attention to this industry which has a good potential.
- may go up by 4 to 7%
- may increase by 22%
- may decrease by 4 to 7%
- may decrease by 15 to 18%
Which of the following options best explains the sentence, 'It wants a level playing field' as used in the passage? The machine tool industry in India ________.
Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
The productivity figures represent the number of machines per year produced at the plant in an average year during the late 1990s divided by the total manpower associated with that plant including both direct and indirect labour. All design staff and all sales and service staff are excluded. All managerial and supervisory staff are included. It might be expected that production volumes per man of the smaller type should be expected to be about double that of the medium type in a plant of equal productivity, but this ratio is a crude estimate and should be applied cautiously. If we accept this crude estimate for the appropriate correction factor, then the range between the maximum of 2 (smaller machines) and the minimum of 0.15 (medium machines) indicates a corrected ratio between the maximum and minimum productivity levels.
The figures for Taiwan which relate to standard machines are 2.6 (medium machines) and 5 (smaller machines) respectively. In the latter case, a high proportion of components are bought in. If, once again, we use the crude correction factor of 2 for machine size, then the ratio between the lowest Taiwanese score and the highest Indian score is a factor. This ratio should be compared to the corresponding ratio in wage rates; a comparison between the hourly rate paid to qualified machinists in the two countries suggests a wage ratio of about 6:1 for Taiwan relative to India at current exchange rates.
Now another aspect of the complete scenario: imports.
Today the import duty on a complete machine is 30% for all practical purpose, whereas the import duty on raw materials and components ranges from 35.85%. The story does not end here. After paying such high import duties on component, once a machine is made, it suffers excise duty from 5% – 10% (including on the customs duty already paid). At the time of sale, the machine tools suffer further taxation, i.e. central sales tax or State sales taxes which range from 4% – 16%. This much for the tax angle. Another factor, which pushes the cost of manufacture of machine tools, is the very high rate of interest payable to banks ranging up to 22%, as against 4%–7% prevailing in advanced countries.
The production of machine tools in India being not of the same scale as it is in other countries, the price which India's machine tool builders have to pay for components is more or less based on pattern of high pricing applicable to the prices of spares.
The machines tool industry in India has an enviable record of very quick technology absorption, assimilation and development. There are a number of success stories about how machine tool builders were of help at the most critical times. It will be a pity, in fact a tragedy, if we allow this industry to die and disappear from the scene.
It is to be noted that India is at least 6500 km away from any dependable source of supply of machine tools. The Government of India has always given a great deal of importance to the development of small scale and medium scale industries. This industry has also performed pretty well. Today, they are in need of help from India's machine tool industry to enable them to produce quality components at reduced costs. Is it anybody's case that the needs of the fragile sector (which needs tender care) will be met from 6500 km away?
Then, what is it that the industry request from the Government? It wants a level playing field. In fact, all of us must have a deep introspection and recognize the fact that the machine tool industry has a very special place in the country from the point of strategic and vital interest of the nation. Most important, it requests for the Government's consideration and understanding. It is therefore high time that the government gives the due attention to this industry which has a good potential.
- needs more attention and consideration as compared to the other industries from various fields
- needs freedom to import the desired components at a low cost
- seeks to have the small scale industry as its patron
- wants to adopt novel marketing strategies for scale promotion
Which of the following statements is true in the context of the passage?
Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
The productivity figures represent the number of machines per year produced at the plant in an average year during the late 1990s divided by the total manpower associated with that plant including both direct and indirect labour. All design staff and all sales and service staff are excluded. All managerial and supervisory staff are included. It might be expected that production volumes per man of the smaller type should be expected to be about double that of the medium type in a plant of equal productivity, but this ratio is a crude estimate and should be applied cautiously. If we accept this crude estimate for the appropriate correction factor, then the range between the maximum of 2 (smaller machines) and the minimum of 0.15 (medium machines) indicates a corrected ratio between the maximum and minimum productivity levels.
The figures for Taiwan which relate to standard machines are 2.6 (medium machines) and 5 (smaller machines) respectively. In the latter case, a high proportion of components are bought in. If, once again, we use the crude correction factor of 2 for machine size, then the ratio between the lowest Taiwanese score and the highest Indian score is a factor. This ratio should be compared to the corresponding ratio in wage rates; a comparison between the hourly rate paid to qualified machinists in the two countries suggests a wage ratio of about 6:1 for Taiwan relative to India at current exchange rates.
Now another aspect of the complete scenario: imports.
Today the import duty on a complete machine is 30% for all practical purpose, whereas the import duty on raw materials and components ranges from 35.85%. The story does not end here. After paying such high import duties on component, once a machine is made, it suffers excise duty from 5% – 10% (including on the customs duty already paid). At the time of sale, the machine tools suffer further taxation, i.e. central sales tax or State sales taxes which range from 4% – 16%. This much for the tax angle. Another factor, which pushes the cost of manufacture of machine tools, is the very high rate of interest payable to banks ranging up to 22%, as against 4%–7% prevailing in advanced countries.
The production of machine tools in India being not of the same scale as it is in other countries, the price which India's machine tool builders have to pay for components is more or less based on pattern of high pricing applicable to the prices of spares.
The machines tool industry in India has an enviable record of very quick technology absorption, assimilation and development. There are a number of success stories about how machine tool builders were of help at the most critical times. It will be a pity, in fact a tragedy, if we allow this industry to die and disappear from the scene.
It is to be noted that India is at least 6500 km away from any dependable source of supply of machine tools. The Government of India has always given a great deal of importance to the development of small scale and medium scale industries. This industry has also performed pretty well. Today, they are in need of help from India's machine tool industry to enable them to produce quality components at reduced costs. Is it anybody's case that the needs of the fragile sector (which needs tender care) will be met from 6500 km away?
Then, what is it that the industry request from the Government? It wants a level playing field. In fact, all of us must have a deep introspection and recognize the fact that the machine tool industry has a very special place in the country from the point of strategic and vital interest of the nation. Most important, it requests for the Government's consideration and understanding. It is therefore high time that the government gives the due attention to this industry which has a good potential.
- India's machine tool industry has a praiseworthy record of performance.
- In critical times, the machine tool builders allowed the industry to perish.
- In the case of machines, the excise duty is levied only on the cost price.
- India's quantum of production of machine tools is more than that of the other advanced countries.
Which of the following options is the principal focus of the content of the passage?
Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
The productivity figures represent the number of machines per year produced at the plant in an average year during the late 1990s divided by the total manpower associated with that plant including both direct and indirect labour. All design staff and all sales and service staff are excluded. All managerial and supervisory staff are included. It might be expected that production volumes per man of the smaller type should be expected to be about double that of the medium type in a plant of equal productivity, but this ratio is a crude estimate and should be applied cautiously. If we accept this crude estimate for the appropriate correction factor, then the range between the maximum of 2 (smaller machines) and the minimum of 0.15 (medium machines) indicates a corrected ratio between the maximum and minimum productivity levels.
The figures for Taiwan which relate to standard machines are 2.6 (medium machines) and 5 (smaller machines) respectively. In the latter case, a high proportion of components are bought in. If, once again, we use the crude correction factor of 2 for machine size, then the ratio between the lowest Taiwanese score and the highest Indian score is a factor. This ratio should be compared to the corresponding ratio in wage rates; a comparison between the hourly rate paid to qualified machinists in the two countries suggests a wage ratio of about 6:1 for Taiwan relative to India at current exchange rates.
Now another aspect of the complete scenario: imports.
Today the import duty on a complete machine is 30% for all practical purpose, whereas the import duty on raw materials and components ranges from 35.85%. The story does not end here. After paying such high import duties on component, once a machine is made, it suffers excise duty from 5% – 10% (including on the customs duty already paid). At the time of sale, the machine tools suffer further taxation, i.e. central sales tax or State sales taxes which range from 4% – 16%. This much for the tax angle. Another factor, which pushes the cost of manufacture of machine tools, is the very high rate of interest payable to banks ranging up to 22%, as against 4%–7% prevailing in advanced countries.
The production of machine tools in India being not of the same scale as it is in other countries, the price which India's machine tool builders have to pay for components is more or less based on pattern of high pricing applicable to the prices of spares.
The machines tool industry in India has an enviable record of very quick technology absorption, assimilation and development. There are a number of success stories about how machine tool builders were of help at the most critical times. It will be a pity, in fact a tragedy, if we allow this industry to die and disappear from the scene.
It is to be noted that India is at least 6500 km away from any dependable source of supply of machine tools. The Government of India has always given a great deal of importance to the development of small scale and medium scale industries. This industry has also performed pretty well. Today, they are in need of help from India's machine tool industry to enable them to produce quality components at reduced costs. Is it anybody's case that the needs of the fragile sector (which needs tender care) will be met from 6500 km away?
Then, what is it that the industry request from the Government? It wants a level playing field. In fact, all of us must have a deep introspection and recognize the fact that the machine tool industry has a very special place in the country from the point of strategic and vital interest of the nation. Most important, it requests for the Government's consideration and understanding. It is therefore high time that the government gives the due attention to this industry which has a good potential.
- Exorbitant sales tax for the Indian machine tool industry.
- Strategy of development of technology most helpful to the machine tool industry in India.
- Reduction in rate of interest on loans to machine industry.
- Indian machine tool industry and its vital role in the country's development.
Why do small and medium scale industries look for help from India's machine tool industry?
Directions: Answer the given question based on the following passage:
The productivity figures represent the number of machines per year produced at the plant in an average year during the late 1990s divided by the total manpower associated with that plant including both direct and indirect labour. All design staff and all sales and service staff are excluded. All managerial and supervisory staff are included. It might be expected that production volumes per man of the smaller type should be expected to be about double that of the medium type in a plant of equal productivity, but this ratio is a crude estimate and should be applied cautiously. If we accept this crude estimate for the appropriate correction factor, then the range between the maximum of 2 (smaller machines) and the minimum of 0.15 (medium machines) indicates a corrected ratio between the maximum and minimum productivity levels.
The figures for Taiwan which relate to standard machines are 2.6 (medium machines) and 5 (smaller machines) respectively. In the latter case, a high proportion of components are bought in. If, once again, we use the crude correction factor of 2 for machine size, then the ratio between the lowest Taiwanese score and the highest Indian score is a factor. This ratio should be compared to the corresponding ratio in wage rates; a comparison between the hourly rate paid to qualified machinists in the two countries suggests a wage ratio of about 6:1 for Taiwan relative to India at current exchange rates.
Now another aspect of the complete scenario: imports.
Today the import duty on a complete machine is 30% for all practical purpose, whereas the import duty on raw materials and components ranges from 35.85%. The story does not end here. After paying such high import duties on component, once a machine is made, it suffers excise duty from 5% – 10% (including on the customs duty already paid). At the time of sale, the machine tools suffer further taxation, i.e. central sales tax or State sales taxes which range from 4% – 16%. This much for the tax angle. Another factor, which pushes the cost of manufacture of machine tools, is the very high rate of interest payable to banks ranging up to 22%, as against 4%–7% prevailing in advanced countries.
The production of machine tools in India being not of the same scale as it is in other countries, the price which India's machine tool builders have to pay for components is more or less based on pattern of high pricing applicable to the prices of spares.
The machines tool industry in India has an enviable record of very quick technology absorption, assimilation and development. There are a number of success stories about how machine tool builders were of help at the most critical times. It will be a pity, in fact a tragedy, if we allow this industry to die and disappear from the scene.
It is to be noted that India is at least 6500 km away from any dependable source of supply of machine tools. The Government of India has always given a great deal of importance to the development of small scale and medium scale industries. This industry has also performed pretty well. Today, they are in need of help from India's machine tool industry to enable them to produce quality components at reduced costs. Is it anybody's case that the needs of the fragile sector (which needs tender care) will be met from 6500 km away?
Then, what is it that the industry request from the Government? It wants a level playing field. In fact, all of us must have a deep introspection and recognize the fact that the machine tool industry has a very special place in the country from the point of strategic and vital interest of the nation. Most important, it requests for the Government's consideration and understanding. It is therefore high time that the government gives the due attention to this industry which has a good potential.
- To produce low cost components without dilution in quality
- To produce cheaper components not withstanding the poor quality
- To come in the focus of attention of the government
- To improve their poor financial status