Page:White Paper on Indian States (1950).pdf/290



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 August, 1947.

(1) The succession according to law and customs, 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 the High Court of the United State and in accordance with the opinion given by that High Court.

No enquiry shall be made nor any action taken by or under the authority of the United State or 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 Covenanting State.

(1) The United State hereby guarantees either the continuance in service of the permanent members of the public services of the former Rajasthan State and of each of the new Covenanting States on conditions which will not be less advantageous than those on which they were serving on the 1st November 1948 or the payment of reasonable compensation or retirement on proportionate pension.

(2) The United State further guarantees the continuance of pensions, and leave salaries sanctioned by competent authorities in any of the new Covenanting 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 the State is made over to the Raj Pramukh.

(3) The United State hereby reaffirms the guarantees given by the former Rajasthan State in paragraphs (1) and (2) of Article XVI of the Covenant establishing that State.