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APPENDIX XLII

THE COVENANT ENTERED INTO BY THE RULERS OF TRAVANCORE AND COCHIN FOR THE FORMATION OF THE UNITED STATE OF TRAVANCORE AND COCHIN.

WE, the Rulers of Travancore and Cochin, do hereby, with the concurrence and guarantee of the Government of India, enter into the following Covenant:

Article I

As from the first day of July, 1949, the States of Travancore and Cochin shall be united in, and shall form, one State, with a common executive, legislature and judiciary, by the name of the United State of Travancore and Cochin.

Article II

In the succeeding Articles of this Covenant, the first day of July, 1949, is referred to as the appointed day, the States of Travancore and Cochin are referred to as the Covenanting States, and the United State of Travancore and Cochin is referred to as the United State.

Article III

As from the appointed day,—

(a) all rights, authority and jurisdiction belonging to the Ruler of either of the Covenanting States which appertain or are incidental to the Government of that State, shall vest in the United State;

(b) all duties and obligations of the Ruler of either of the Covenanting States pertaining or incidental to the Government of that State shall devolve on the United State, and shall be discharged by it; and

(c) all the assets and liabilities of either Covenanting State shall be the assets and liabilities of the United State.

Article IV

(1) There shall be a Raj Pramukh for the United State.

(2) The present Ruler of Travancore shall be the first Raj Pramukh and shall be entitled to hold office during his life-time.

(3) In the event of a permanent vacancy arising in the office of the Raj Pramukh by death, resignation or any other reason, such vacancy shall be filled in such manner as the Governor-General of India may prescribe.