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 of the States essentially the traditional form of rule, with its peculiarities had survived in a strong form to the day of integration. In several States, the land is still held over large tracts under the Jagirdari system, with its variants, and, until recently, a host of administrative functions were performed by the Jagirdars. There is a bewildering multiplicity of systems of land tenure and even now the modern system of revenue administration, which includes a proper settlement, record of rights and a trained revenue staff, does not extend to large areas of land which still remain under feudal conditions.

207. The administrative personnel inherited by the Unions is not equal, in the immediate future, to the responsibilities that the new set-up imposes on the public services. The predominance in the public services of a number of States of certain classes, particularly in the army and the police, still persists. The principle of selection through competitive examinations by a Public Service Commission had been recognised only in a limited way and in a limited number of States. The rules relating to recruitment, promotions, confidential reports and training, where they existed, left much to be desired. There are undoubtedly quite a good few officers with considerable ability, but traditions of common service are still to be developed.

208. One more important feature of the administration of States as inherited by the Unions was the wide variety of systems of financial control. The powers of the Auditor-General, where one existed, and the functions of the Accountant-General varied from area to area. In some States, a system of pre-audit obtained; in others spending departments were entrusted with huge departmental advances, which were not satisfactorily accounted for or audited. Finance departments, where they existed, were weak and lacked traditions of effective control over public expenditure. An integrated system of financial control coupled with efficient audit is one of the essential adjuncts of democratic government. It will take a little time to build this up.

209. If administratively the conditions in the integrated States were not such as to make the immediate introduction of a system of administration on the Provincial level a practical proposition, the position in the field of political institutions was no better. Very few States had proper Legislatures functioning in them; the Legislatures where they existed were on a restricted franchise and included considerable number of nominated members. Even the number of local bodies such as panchayats, municipal committees and District Councils, was extremely limited. Political parties,