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APPENDIX XXXIX

The Covenant Entered into by the Rulers of Faridkot, Jind, Kapurthala, Malerkotla, Nabha, Patiala, Kalsia and Nalagarh for the Information of Patiala and East punjab States Union.

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:—

Article I

In this Covenant:—

(a) "Covenanting State" means any of the States mentioned in Schedule I, the Ruler of which has, whether by himself or by a duly authhorised representative, signed this Covenant;

(b) "Covenanting Salute State" means any Covenanting State which is mentioned in Part A of Schedule I;

(c) "Covenanting Non-Salute State" means any Covenanting State which is mentioned in Part B of Schedule I, and

(d) unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, references to the Ruler of a State include any person or persons for the time being exercising the powers of the Ruler, whether by reason of his minority or for any other reason.

Article II

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";

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