Page:White Paper on Indian States (1950).pdf/233



AGREEMENT MADE THIS Fourth day of May 1948 between the Governor General of India and His Highness the Maharao of Kutch.

WHEREAS in the best interests of the State of Kutch as well as of the Dominion of India it is desirable to provide for the administration of the said State by or under the authority of the Dominion Government;

AND WHEREAS His Highness the Maharao has accepted the advice given to him by the Dominion Government in this behalf;

IT IS HEREBY AGREED, as follows:—

His Highness the Maharao of Kutch hereby cedes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to the Dominion Government on the 1st day of June 1948 (hereinafter referred to as "the said day").

As from the said day the Dominion Government will be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.

His Highness the Maharao shall continue to enjoy the same personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles which he would have enjoyed had this agreement not been made.

His Highness the Maharao shall with effect from the said day be entitled to receive from the revenues of the State annually for his privy purse the sum of Eight Lakhs of rupees free of all taxes. This amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family, including expenses on account of his personal staff, maintenance of his residences, marriages and other ceremonies, etc., and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.

The Government of India undertakes that the said sum of rupees Eight Lakhs shall be paid to His Highness the Maharao in four equal instalments in advance at the beginning of each quarter from the State treasury or at such other treasury as may be specified by the Government of India.