Page:White Paper on Indian States (1950).pdf/276



We, the Rulers of Faridkot, Jind, Kapurthala, Malerkotla, Nabha, Patiala, Kalsia and Nalagarh,

BEING CONVINCED that the welfare of the people of this region can best be secured by the establishment of a State comprising the territories of our respective States, with a common Executive, Legislature and Judiciary;

AND HAVING resolved to entrust to a Constituent Assembly consisting of elected representatives of the people the drawing up of a democratic Constitution for the State within the framework of the Constitution of India, to which we have already acceded, and of this Covenant;

DO HEREBY, with the concurrence and guarantee of the Government of India, enter into the following Covenant:—

In this Covenant:—

The Covenanting States agree to unite and integrate their territories in one State with a common executive, legislature and judiciary, by the name of Patiala and East Punjab States Union hereinafter referred to as "the Union";