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for the first time, a real and effective approach to the problem of States. The execution of the Covenants and the Instruments of Merger, however, does not by itself justify the hopes implicit in integration. The administrative integration of States will fail to secure its objective if it does not bring about a psychological integration of the people. Local affiliations, which impede the growth of common nationhood, will be eliminated only if the people are enabled to feel that by becoming citizens of bigger, more progressive and resourceful units, a real change for the better has come into their lives. The people must feel that not only power has come to their hands but the very set-up of their lives has undergone an appreciable change for the better.
165. The integration of States, therefore, though in itself an achievement of tremendous importance to the future of the country, is, viewed in the right perspective, something in the nature of an opportunity rather than fulfilment. Positive, co-ordinated and sustained action is necessary to establish the conditions in which the people could secure adequate administrative and social services and full opportunities of progress and development.
Steps towards Organic Integration
166. In the case of the Provincially merged and Centrally merged States the authority for exercising the powers of administration and legislation were originally derived from the Extra-Provincial Jurisdiction Act, 1947. This Act enabled the Government of India to exercise the necessary powers in States where, under an agreement, jurisdiction power and authority, were transferred to the Government of India. This procedure was a half-way house between complete separateness and full integration. Under this arrangement, a law passed by the Dominion Parliament did not automatically extend to these States but had to be applied to them by a notification under the Extra-Provincial Jurisdiction Act. While suitable as a transitional arrangement, this expedient did not meet the needs of a permanent and organic integration.
Sections 290A and 290B of the Government of India Act 1935
167. As a step in the direction of effecting such an organic integration, the Government of India Act, 1935, was amended to introduce two new Sections reading as follows:—
