M.R.Sharma, J.

1. After India attained independence on August 15, 1947, the erstwhile Princely States of Patiala, Kapurthala, Jind, Malerkotla, Nabha, Faridkot, Kalsia and Nalagarh entered into a covenant with the Union of India and formed a State commonly known as the Patiala and East Punjab States Union. The then His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala, by common agreement, was appointed as the Raj Pramukh of the State. The ruling Princes of the covenanting States surrendered their sovereignty, the State properties and the territories forming their respective States. The Government of India, in turn, agreed to pay privy purses to the ruling Princes and allowances to their dependants or their relations. The Ruler of the erstwhile State of Patiala, pursuant to this agreement, was informed by letter dated April 2, 1949, by the Ministry of States, Government of India, regarding its decision with regard to the privy purse allowance admissible to him as Raj Pramukh and allowances for Rajmatas and other relations.

2. The privy purse of the then His Highness the Maharaja of Patiala was fixed at Rs. 17 lakhs per annum and his allowance as Raj Pramukh was fixed at Rs. 5 lakhs per annu