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Covenants as well in the same manner. In view, however, of the provision in Article 371 of the Constitution to which reference is made in paragraph 241, it was not considered necessary to amend these Covenants. This provision will enable the Central Government to direct processes of integration and consolidation and to secure good government of the Unions during the interim period.

Procedure of exercising Supervisory Functions

213. In order to enable the Central Government effectively to discharge the responsibility assumed by it in respect of the Unions, the Union Governments have, on the advice of the Government of India, appointed Advisers attached ta important Departments. This procedure enables the Unions to utilise the administrative experience of the Advisers without impairing the democratic practice of making the Council of Ministers responsible for the entire administration.

Typical set-up.—The typical set-up under this arrangement is as follows, but the actual organisation in individual Unions varies with their circumstances. Senior officers of appropriate standing and administrative experience are appointed as Advisers to the Governments of the Unions. These Advisers are considered to be in the service of the Unions and are attached to the Departments of Law and Order, Integration, Revenue and Finance; they are also consulted in matters of all-India concern. All papers connected with these Departments pass through the Advisers so that the Governments of the Union may derive the full benefit of the institution. Furthermore the Advisers have the right to call for papers or information having a bearing on matters with which they are concerned. They also attend meetings of the Cabinet and express their views on questions raised in those meetings, but they exercise no right to vote. As regards any unresolved differences between the Ministers and Advisers it is expected that the Chief Minister would be able to resolve most of such difficulties. If this is not found possible the matter is referred to the Government of India.

Regional Commissioners and their functions.—Regional Commissioners have also been accredited by the Government of India to Unions of States and exercise the following functions:—

(i) They act as agents of the Government of India in respect of such matters as food and civil supplies, extradition, issue of arms licences and passports, etc. The agency functions now being performed by the Regional Commissioners will gradually disappear as the administration of the Unions approximates to that of the Provinces.