White Paper on Indian States (1950)/Part 5/Centrally Merged States/Bilaspur
Bilaspur
117. The group of East Punjab Hill States included the State of Bilaspur, which had an area of 453 square miles with a population of 110,000. In view of the location in this State of the contemplated Bhakra Dam, which is a project of all-India importance, it was decided take over the State as a separate Centrally administered unit. In pursuance of an Agreement (Appendix XXVIII) signed by the Ruler, the State was taken over under Central administration on 12th October, 1948.
APPENDIX XXVIII
BILASPUR MERGER AGREEMENT
Agreement made this Fifteenth Day of August, 1948 between the Governor-General of India and the Raja of Bilaspur (Kahlur).
Whereas in the best interests of the State of Bilaspur and its people it is desirable to provide for the administration of the said State by or under the authority of the Government of the Dominion of India;
And whereas in view of the location of the contemplated Bhakra Dam in the said State it is the intention of the said Government to administer the said State as a separate Unit;
It is hereby agreed as follows:—
Article 1
The Raja of Bilaspur hereby cedes to the Dominion Government full and exclusive authority, jurisdiction and powers for and in relation to the governance of the State and agrees to transfer the administration of the State to the Dominion Government on the twelfth day of October, 1948 (hereinafter referred to as "the said day").
As from the said day the Dominion Government will be competent to exercise the said powers, authority and jurisdiction in such manner and through such agency as it may think fit.
Article 2
The Raja shall with effect from the said day be entitled to receive from the revenues of the State annually for his privy purse the sum of 70,000 rupees free of taxes. This amount includes the sum of 10,000 rupees as the allowance of the Yuvraj and is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family, including expenses on account of his personal staff, maintenance of his residences, marriages and other ceremonies and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever.
The said sum may be drawn by the Raja in four equal instalments in advance at the beginning of each quarter.
Article 3
The Raja shall be entitled to the full ownership, use and enjoyment of all private properties (as distinct from State properties) belonging to him on the date of this agreement.
The Raja will furnish to the Dominion Government before the 15th October, 1948, an inventory of all the immovable property, securities and cash balances held by him as such private property.
If any dispute arises as to whether any item of property is the private property of the Raja or State property it shall be referred to such officer with judicial experience as the Dominion Government may nominate and the decision of that Officer shall be final and binding on both parties.
Article 4
The Raja, the Rani, the Rajmata, the Yuvraj and the Yuvrani shall be entitled to all personal privileges enjoyed by them whether within or outside the territories of the State, immediately before the 15th day of August, 1947.
Article 5
The Dominion Government guarantees the succession, according to law and custom, to the gadi of the State and to the Raja's personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles.
In confirmation whereof Mr. Vapal Pangunni Menon, Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of States has appended his signature on behalf and with the authority of the Governor-General of India and Raja Sri Anand Chand, Raja of Bilaspur, has appended his signature on behalf of himself, his heirs and successors.
ANAND CHAND,
Raja of Bilaspur.
V. P. MENON,
Secretary to the Government of India,
Ministry of States.
Dated, the 15th August, 1949.