White Paper on Indian States (1950)/Part 5/Centrally Merged States/Vindhya Pradesh

by Ministry of States, Government of India

Vindhya Pradesh

122. The United State of Vindhya Pradesh, which covered an area of 24,600 sq. miles with a population of 3,569,455 and an annual revenue of about Rs. 25 millions was formed in April 1948. It comprised 35 States known as Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand States. The area is rich in mineral resources and forest wealth, but constitutes one of the most undeveloped regions in Central India. Vindhya Pradesh is situated right in the centre of the Indian Union and it is essential to set up a stable administration and to develop means of communication in this area. Chronic jealousy between the two groups of States constituted a serious hurdle in the way of uniting them into one administrative unit, and it was with considerable difficulty that the Rulers agreed to pool their lot together. For gome time after the inauguration of the Union, there were actually two Governments functioning, one for Rewa and another for Bundelkhand States. A composite Cabinet for the whole area was formed in July 1948.

123. It was thought that a common Government representative of the people of all the integrated States would operate as a unifying force and attenuate the disruptive local affiliations. However, the performance of the new Cabinet, which did not last even for one year, proved most disappointing. Continued dissensions and mutual recriminations amongst the Ministers and their failure to inspire confidence amongst the people resulted in a most distressing situation. The Ministry resigned on April 14, 1949 and an official administration was set up on April 15, 1949.

124. It was clear beyond doubt that in view of its economic and political backwardness, Vindhya Pradesh could not be administered as a Union of States. The only two alternatives open before the Government of India were either its merger with the neighbouring Provinces or its conversation into a Centrally administered unit. This position was explained to the Rulers and the Congress leaders of the Union and as a result of the discussions with them, the Rulers signed in December 1949, an Agreement ceding to the Dominion Government full and exclusive jurisdiction and authority over the territories comprising Vindhya Pradesh (Appendix XXXIII). After giving the matter very careful consideration, the administration of Vindhya Pradesh was taken over by the Centre on 1st January, 1950 and it is now being administered as a Chief Commissioner's Province.

APPENDIX XXXIII

VINDHYA PRADESH MERGER AGREEMENT

AGREEMENT made this 26th day of December 1949 between the Governor General of India and the Rulers of the States forming the United State of Vindhya Pradesh.

WHEREAS in March 1948 the Rulers of certain States ir Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand entered into a Covenant whereby they agreed to unite and integrate the territories of their States into one State by the name of the United State of Vindhya Pradesh;

AND WHEREAS for divers reasons the administration of the said territories could not be conducted in the manner contemplated in the said Covenant;

AND WHEREAS the parties to the present agreement are convinced that a proper administration of the said territories could only be secured by leaving it to be provided by the Government of India in such manner as it may think fit;

IT is hereby agreed as follows:—

Article I

As from the first day of January, 1950, the Covenant entered into in March 1948 by the Rulers of certain States in Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand for the formation of the United State of Vindhya Pradesh (hereinafter referred to as "the Covenant") shall stand abrogated.

Article II

As from the aforesaid day, the United State of Vindhya Pradesh shall cease to exist, and all the property, assets and liabilities of that State, as well as its rights, duties and obligations, shall be those of the Government of India.

Article III

The Ruler of each of the States specified in the Schedule to this agreement (hereinafter referred to as "the Covenanting States") hereby cedes to the Government of India, with effect from the aforesaid day, full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for, and in relation to, the governance of that State; and thereafter the Government of India shall be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.

Article IV

(1) The Ruler of each Covenanting State shall be entitled to receive annually from the Government of India for his privy purse the amount specified against that Covenanting State in the Schedule to this Agreement.

(2) The said amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family including expenses on account of personal staff, maintenance of his residences, marriages and other ceremonies, etc., and shall neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.

(3) The said amount shall be free of all taxes and shall be paid in four equal instalments in advance at the beginning of each quarter.

Article V

The Ruler of each Covenanting State, as also the members of his family shall be entitled to all the personal privileges, dignities and titles enjoyed by them, whether within or outside the territories of that State, immediately before the 15th day of August 1947.

Article VI

The Government of India guarantees the succession, according to law and custom, to the gaddi of each Covenanting State, and to the personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles of the Ruler thereof.

Article VII

(1) The Ruler of each Covenanting State shall be entitled to the full ownership, use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from State properties) belonging to him on the date of his making over the administration of that State to the Raj Pramukh in pursuance of the Covenant.

(2) If any dispute arises as to whether any item of property is the private property of the Ruler or State property, it shall be referred to a judicial officer to be nominated by the Government of India, and the decision of that officer shall be final and binding on all parties concerned.

Article VIII

No inquiry shall be made by or under the authority of the Government of India, and no proceedings shall lie in any Court, against the Ruler of any Covenanting State, whether in a personal capacity or otherwise, in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him or under his authority during the period of his administration of that State.

Article IX

(1) The Government of India hereby guarantees either the continuance in service of the permanent members of the Public Services of the United State of Vindhya Pradesh on conditions which will not be less advantageous than those on which they were serving on 1st December 1949, or the payment of reasonable compensation or retirement on proportionate pension.

(2) The Government of India further guarantees the continuance of pensions and leave salaries sanctioned by competent authorities in the United State of Vindhya Pradesh to members of Public Services of that State who have retired or proceeded on leave preparatory to retirement before the date referred to in paragraph (1) of this Article.

(3) The Government of India hereby reaffirms the guarantees given by the United State of Vindhya Pradesh in paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article XV of the Covenant establishing that State.

Article X

Except with the previous sanction of the Government of India no proceedings, civil or criminal, shall be instituted against any person in respect of any act done or purported to be done in the execution of his duties as a servant of any Covenanting State before the date on which the administration thereof was made over to the Raj Pramukh in pursuance of the Covenant.

Article XI

The Ruler of Rewa has entered into this Agreement both as the Ruler of the Covenanting State of Rewa and as the Raj Pramukh of the United State of Vindhya Pradesh.

The Schedule

Covenanting States and Privy Purse Amounts

Part A—Salute States

Rs.⁠
1.	Ajaigarh	74,700
2.	Baoni	46,850
3.	Baraundha	14,500
4.	Bijawar	70,700
5.	Chhatrapur	1,00,350
6.	Charkhari	95,900
7.	Datia	1,54,300
8.	Maihar	56,500
9.	Nagod	55,400
10.	Orchha	1,35,500
11.	Panna	1,47,300
12.	Rewa	10,00,000
13.	Samthar	51,800
Part B—Non-Salute States
1.	Alipura	28,150
2.	Banka Pahari	3,000
3.	Beri	7,750
4.	Bhaisaunda	5,600
5.	Bihat	5,600
6.	Bijna	3,000
7.	Dhurwai	5,000
8.	Garrauli	10,050
9.	Gaurihar	15,000
10.	Jaso	8,600
11.	Jigni	5,950
12.	Kamta Rajaula	5,000
13.	Khaniadhana	15,600
14.	Kothi	15,400
15.	Lugasi	10,100
16.	Naigawan Rebai	5,000
17.	Pahra	5,300
18.	Paldeo (Nayagaon)	10,400
19.	Sarila	18,650
20.	Sohawal	25,900
21.	Taraon	5,850
22.	Tori Fatehpur	7,000

In confirmation whereof Mr. Vapal Pangunni Menon, Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of States, has appended his signature on behalf of, and with the authority of, the Governor-General of India, and the Rulers of the Covenanting States have appended their signatures on behalf of themselves, their heirs and successors.

Rulers of Vindhya Pradesh.

V. P. MENON,⁠

Secretary Ministry of States.