White Paper on Indian States (1950)/Part 9/Gradual Integration of Certain Departments
Gradual Integration of Certain Departments.
194. As regards Defence Forces, it was agreed as recommended by the Committee that only the "sanctioned" Indian State Forces would become a "federal" charge; the rest, commonly described as "irregulars" would continue to be the responsibility of the States subject to the general control of the Central Government and could be gradually liquidated by retrenchment or by absorption of suitable individuals into the "sanctioned" forces or into the police forces. The special administrative arrangements concerning the "sanctioned" forces which were recently concluded would, however, continue until other arrangements were made in due course for evolving a balanced Army in India as a whole including the States.
As regards the other "federal" departments, the following would be taken over on 1st April, 1950 (13th April 1950 in the case PEPSU) for direct administration by the Centre:
The question whether, in view of various administrative and other difficulties the remaining "federal" departments should not continue to be administered for some time through the States themselves as "Agents" of the Centre is under active consideration.