Q15 · UPSC Prelims 2017 · Set A · History (Ancient, Medieval, Modern)

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The Trade Disputes Act of 1929 provided for

A the participation of workers in the management of industries.
B arbitrary powers to the management to quell industrial disputes.
C an intervention by the British Court in the event of a trade dispute.
D a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.

Correct answer: (d) a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.

Explanation

  1. A

    the participation of workers in the management of industries.

    (a) Participation of workers in management. That idea is later industrial-democracy language, not the 1929 Act. It is not the key.

  2. B

    arbitrary powers to the management to quell industrial disputes.

    (b) Arbitrary powers to management to quell disputes. The Act did not simply hand managers a free truncheon. It is not the key.

  3. C

    an intervention by the British Court in the event of a trade dispute.

    (c) Intervention by the British Court in a trade dispute. The statute set up a domestic tribunal route, not routine British-court takeover. It is not the key.

  4. D

    a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes.

    (d) A system of tribunals and a ban on strikes. The Trade Disputes Act, 1929 provided Courts of Inquiry / Conciliation Boards and made certain strikes and lockouts illegal (especially in public utility services without notice). That is the official key.

Summary. Official key is (d) a system of tribunals and a ban on strikes. The 1929 Act created inquiry and conciliation machinery and criminalised specified strikes and lockouts, particularly sudden strikes in public utilities. It was a colonial industrial-relations statute, not workers’ participation in management and not a blank cheque of arbitrary managerial power. The later Trade Disputes Act, 1947 and the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 are the neighbouring laws.