Page:White Paper on Indian States (1950).pdf/56

 subject to the provisions of an Agreement. The Instrument of Accession (Appendix XXV) empowered the Dominion Legislature to make laws for the Khasi States in respect of any matter. The Agreement (Appendix XXVI), which formed part of the Instrument of Accession, provided inter alia for unified legislation on subjects of common interest to Assam and the Khasi Hill States. Constitutionally therefore the position of the Khasi Hill States Federation approximated to that of a Chief Commissioner's Province.

114. One solution for these areas was to merge them outright with the surrounding Province of Assam. It was, however, considered desirable to preserve some of the tribal traditions and customs of the Khasi States. Accordingly under the Constitution of India the Khasi States have been included in the Sixth Schedule along with Assam tribal areas. According to the provisions of this Schedule a large measure of local autonomy has been conceded to the District Councils in the tribal areas. With the coming into force of the Constitution of India, the Khasi Hill States, along with the adjoining tribal district of Assam known as 'Jaintia Hill District' have been constituted into a separate autonomous district of Assam known as "United Khasi-Jaintia Hill District".  

115. The number of States consolidated as Centrally Administered areas is limited. This form of integration has been adopted only in those cases in which, for administrative or strategic consideration, or for other special reasons, direct Central control over any area has been considered necessary.  

116. A number of Rulers and the Chiefs of the East Punjab Hill States signed on 8th March, 1948, Agreements (Appendix XXVII) ceding to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of their States. Other Rulers signed similar agreements on subsequent dates. Having regard to the wishes of the Rulers and the people of the Hill States that the territories of these States should be consolidated into one unit and the desirability of making available to these areas man-power and wealth-power resources of a large administrative unit, the Government of India integrated these States into a Centrally administered unit known as 'Himachal Pradesh'. The new Province, which comprises the territories