Caselet -2 Decision Making | Previous Year Papers – XAT 2016

Analyse the following caselet and answer the questions below:

Chatterjee, the MLA of Trikathapur, owes his election success to his close friend and businessman Ghosh. The victory had appeared unlikely for Chatterjee after the arrival of Bhowmick, a budding politician with hordes of money. However, his clean image along with Ghosh’s money ensured Chatterjee’s resounding victory.

Q1: After the elections, Ghosh requested Chatterjee to sanction the land adjoining his factory, for expansion. However, the requested government land was a green belt reducing harmful pollution from the factory.

Which of the following is the BEST option for Chatterjee in these circumstances?

A. Chatterjee should approve the sale only after Ghosh plants a large number of trees around the factory and the city.
B. Chatterjee should oblige Ghosh provided he recruits 20 locals as his employees on the condition that they plant and maintain a tree each in their locality.
C. As Ghosh is paying market rates Chatterjee should approve the sale with no riders.
D. Chatterjee should approve the sale and ensure that the green belt is shifted to a different tract of land outside the city, purchased from the proceeds of the sale.
E. Chatterjee should unconditionally approve the transfer of the land to Ghosh as a token of gratitude.

Option B is wrong since the locals and not Ghosh are made responsible for the greenery; moreover the 20-30 trees in their respective locality may not be sufficient to reduce pollution.

Options C and E are wrong as they do not take care of Chatterjee’s duty to the city.

Option D is wrong since Chatterjee is taking the responsibility to buy land from the proceeds of the sale and Ghosh gets the land with no riders (similar to C).

Option A ensures that Ghosh first plants a stipulated number of trees and that too around the factory and the city, hence is the correct answer.

Q2: Inspired by Bhowmick’s manifesto, Chatterjee is contemplating a green policy which can adversely affect Ghosh’s business interests.

Which of the following actions from Ghosh is likely to convince Chatterjee NOT to pursue this policy?

A. Request Chatterjee to defer implementation of the green policy by 3 years, the time needed to make his factory green.
B. Remind Chatterjee that it is for his clean image that people voted him and not for Bhowmick’s green policy.
C. Warn Chatterjee that all industrialists Will turn against him and despite his clean image he may be hated by the industry.
D. Appeal to Chatterjee’s sympathy citing the potential loss his business will suffer if the policy were to be implemented.
E. Threaten Chatterjee that he should not take his loyalty for granted as Bhowmick has invited him to join his party.

Chatterjee may not pursue the green policy provided his long-term interests are safeguarded.

Option A will not convince Chatterjee because a policy framed in favour of his friend makes it unethical and may spoil Chatterjee‘s clean image.

Option C is unfounded assumption and hence is wrong.

Option D may gain Ghosh some sympathy but it is not going to convince Chatterjee.

Option E may affect Chatterjee, but it might backfire on Ghosh too.

Option B appeals to Chatterjee’s supporters and hence is the correct answer.

» Caselet -1 Decision Making | Previous Year Papers – XAT 2016