Q24 · UPSC Prelims 2017 · Set A · History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)

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Consider the following statements:1.The Factories Act, 1881 was passed with a view to fix the wages of industrial workers and to allow the workers to form trade unions.2.N. M. Lokhande was a pioneer in organizing the labour movement in British India.Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A 1 only
B 2 only
C Both 1 and 2
D Neither 1 nor 2

Correct answer: (b) 2 only

Explanation

  1. A

    1 only

    (a) 1 only. The Factories Act, 1881 dealt mainly with child labour and working hours in factories, not wage-fixing and trade-union rights. Statement 1 is false.

  2. B

    2 only

    (b) 2 only. N. M. Lokhande is recognised as a pioneer of the organised labour movement in Bombay Presidency. Statement 2 is correct and 1 is not. This is the official key.

  3. C

    Both 1 and 2

    (c) Both 1 and 2. The 1881 Act is misdescribed, so both fails.

  4. D

    Neither 1 nor 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2. Lokhande’s pioneering role stands, so neither is wrong.

Summary. Official key is (b) 2 only. Lord Ripon’s Factories Act, 1881 regulated child employment and related factory conditions; it did not fix industrial wages or legalise unions. Narayan Meghaji Lokhande organised mill workers in Bombay and is credited as an early labour leader. The 1926 Trade Unions Act is the later union-law landmark. Only statement 2 survives.

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