Page:White Paper on Indian States (1950).pdf/58

 

120. Another State on the north-east border of India taken over for Central administration was Tripura which had an area of 4,049 square miles and a population of over half a million. The Regent Maharani signed the agreement (Appendix XXXI) on behalf of the minor Ruler and in pursuance of this agreement the administration of the State was taken over by a Chief Commissioner on behalf of the Government of India on the 15th October, 1949.  

121. Manipur is another border State which has great strategic importance. It is surrounded for the most part by tribal hill areas in Assam; on the east it is bounded by the tribal territories of Burma. The security arrangements of this area require the special attention of the Government of India and it was therefore decided to take it over for Central administration. The Instrument of Merger (Appendix XXXII) was signed by the Ruler on 21st September, 1949 and the administration was taken over by a Chief Commissioner on behalf of the Dominion Government on 15th October, 1949.  

122. The United State of Vindhya Pradesh, which covered an area of 24,600 sq. miles with a population of 3,569,455 and an annual revenue of about Rs. 25 millions was formed in April 1948. It comprised 35 States known as Bundelkhand and Baghelkhand States. The area is rich in mineral resources and forest wealth, but constitutes one of the most undeveloped regions in Central India. Vindhya Pradesh is situated right in the centre of the Indian Union and it is essential to set up a stable administration and to develop means of communication in this area. Chronic jealousy between the two groups of States constituted a serious hurdle in the way of uniting them into one administrative unit, and it was with considerable difficulty that the Rulers agreed to pool their lot together. For gome time after the inauguration of the Union, there were actually two Governments functioning, one for Rewa and another for Bundelkhand States. A composite Cabinet for the whole area was formed in July 1948.

123. It was thought that a common Government representative of the people of all the integrated States would operate as a unifying force and attenuate the disruptive local affiliations. However, the performance of the new Cabinet, which did not last even for one year, proved most disappointing. Continued dissensions and mutual recriminations amongst