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?

The correct option is 2 only.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analysis of Statement 1:
The First Factories Act was passed in British India in 1881 during the tenure of Lord Ripon. Its primary objective was to regulate the working conditions of child labor in factories (prohibiting employment of children under 7 years of age and limiting daily working hours for children between 7 and 12 years). It did not fix wages for industrial workers, nor did it contain any provisions allowing workers to form trade unions. Therefore, Statement 1 is incorrect.

2. Analysis of Statement 2:
Narayan Meghaji Lokhande (N. M. Lokhande) was a prominent social reformer and a key pioneer of the labor movement in British India. He founded the Bombay Millhands Association in 1890, which is considered the first labor association in India. He worked extensively for improving the working hours, weekly holidays, and conditions of mill workers. Therefore, Statement 2 is correct.

Conclusion: Since Statement 1 is incorrect and Statement 2 is correct, the correct answer is 2 only.