Page:White Paper on Indian States (1950).pdf/208

AGREEMENT MADE THIS twentyfirst day of March 1949 between the Governor General of India and His Highness the Maharaja of Baroda.

WHEREAS in the best interests of the State of Baroda as well as of the Dominion of India it is desirable to provide for the administration of the said State by or under the authority of the Dominion Government;

His Highness the Maharaja of Baroda 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 1st day of May 1949 (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.

His Highness the Maharaja shall continue to enjoy the same personal rights, privileges, dignities and titles which he would have enjoyed had this agreement not been made.

His Highness the Maharaja 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 Rs. 26,50,000 (Rupees Twenty six lakhs and fifty thousand only) free of all taxes. This amount is intended to cover all the expenses of the Ruler and his family, including expenses on account of his secretariat and personal staff, maintenance of big residences, marriages and other ceremonies, etc. and will neither be increased nor reduced for any reason whatsoever;

Provided that the sum specified above shall be payable only to the present Ruler of the State of Baroda and not to his successors for whom provision will be made subsequently by the Government of India.

The Government of India undertakes that the said sum of Rupees Twentysix lakhs and fifty thousand shall be paid to His Highness the Maharaja in four equal instalments in advance at the beginning of each quarter from the State treasury or at such other treasury as may be specified by the Government of India.