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of 21 Hill States, has an area of 10,600 square miles with a population of about 935,000 and a revenue of about Rs. 8.5 millions. It was inaugurated on 15th April, 1948.
Bilaspur
117. The group of East Punjab Hill States included the State of Bilaspur, which had an area of 453 square miles with a population of 110,000. In view of the location in this State of the contemplated Bhakra Dam, which is a project of all-India importance, it was decided take over the State as a separate Centrally administered unit. In pursuance of an Agreement (Appendix XXVIII) signed by the Ruler, the State was taken over under Central administration on 12th October, 1948.
Kutch
118. Another important State which was taken over under Central administration was Kutch. This State has an area of 17,249 Sq. miles, of which 8,461 miles is inhabited by a population of a little over half a million. The remaining area is occupied by what is known as the Rann of Kutch which is covered by water during most part of the year. In view of the geographical situation of the State and the potentialities of this area, the development of which will require a considerable amount of money as well as technical assistance, which neither the State by itself nor the State of Saurashtra with which it was possible to integrate the State could provide, it was decided that the best solution for this State would be to treat it as a Centrally administered unit. An Agreement (Appendix XXIX) was accordingly signed by the Ruler on 4th May, 1948 and the administration was taken over by a Chief Commissioner on behalf of the Dominion Government on 1st June, 1949.
Bhopal
119. Bhopal was one of the major States taken over for administration by the Centre. Lying almost at the centre of the main system of communications in India, the State had an area of 6,921 square miles with a population of 785,322 and a revenue of about Rs. 13,600,000. The Agreement (Appendix XXX) for merger was signed by the Ruler on April 30, 1949 and the State was taken over by a Chief Commissioner on behalf of the Government of India on June 1, 1949. In deference to the wishes of the Nawab and in view of its central location it has been provided in the agreement that the State will remain under Central administration for at least a period of five years.
