Consider the following statements: 1. Privy purse referred to a specific sum of money that was payable annually to rulers of former princely states that signed the Instrument of Accession. 2. The payment of privy purse was a constitutional obligation before 42nd Amendment. 3. The abolition of Privy Purse was justified on the ground that it stood against the principle of egalitarianism enshrined in the Constitution. How many of the statements given above are correct?

Why Privy purse ?

• The Privy Purse was a payment made to the rulers of princely states as compensation for their agreement to integrate their states into India and cede sovereignty to the Indian government. Hence, statement 1 is corect.
• The amount of the Privy Purse was determined based on the revenue and importance of the princely state, and it varied significantly from one state to another.
• In addition to the Privy Purse, the rulers were allowed to retain certain privileges, such as the use of titles, symbols, and properties.
• The Privy Purse was guaranteed under Article 291 of the Indian Constitution, which provided for the payment of these sums to the rulers as per the covenants entered into between them and the Government of India.

Abolition of the Privy Purse

• In 1971, under the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Indian government decided to abolish the Privy Purse.
• The abolition was justified on the grounds that it was incompatible with the principle of equality and the democratic structure of India. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• 24th Constitutional Amendment Act (1971): The amendment was passed to delete Articles 291 and 362 from the Constitution, thereby abolishing the Privy Purse and the recognition of titles. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.