Page:White Paper on Indian States (1950).pdf/268



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 the State, immediately before the 15th day of August, 1947.

(1) 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, is hereby guaranteed.

(2) Every question of disputed succession in regard to a Covenanting State shall be decided by the Council of Rulers after referring it to a bench consisting of all the available Judges of the High Court of the United State and in accordance with the opinion given by that High Court.

No enquiry shall be made by or under the authority of the United State, and no proceedings shall lie in any court in the United State, 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.

(1) The United State hereby guarantees either the continuance in service of the permanent members of the public services of each of the Covenanting States on conditions which will be not less advantageous than those on which they were serving on the 15th April 1948 or the Payment of reasonable compensation.

(2) The United State further guarantees the continuance of pensions and leave salaries sanctioned by competent authorities in any of the ConvenantingCovenanting [sic] States to members of the public services of that State who have retired, or proceeded on leave preparatory to retirement, and the compassionate allowances granted to dependents of deceased members of those services, before the date on which the administration of that State is handed over to the Raj Pramukh.

(3) The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this article shall apply also in relation to the public services of any other State merging in the United State.