Article 294 of CoI : Article 294: Succession to property, assets, rights, liabilities and obligations in certain cases.

Explanation using Example

Example 1:

Scenario: Transfer of Government Buildings

Context: Before the commencement of the Constitution of India, a government building in Delhi was owned by His Majesty for the purposes of the Government of the Dominion of India.

Application of Article 294:

• After the commencement of the Constitution, this building automatically becomes the property of the Union Government of India.
• The Union Government now has all the rights to use, manage, and maintain this building.

Explanation: This example illustrates how government properties that were under British rule transitioned to the Indian government after the Constitution came into effect.

Example 2:

Scenario: Settlement of Government Contracts

Context: Before the commencement of the Constitution, the Government of the Dominion of India had entered into a contract with a private company for the supply of railway equipment.

Application of Article 294:

• After the commencement of the Constitution, the rights and obligations under this contract are transferred to the Government of India.
• The Government of India is now responsible for fulfilling the contract terms, including payment and receipt of goods.

Explanation: This example shows how existing contracts and obligations of the British government were transferred to the Indian government, ensuring continuity and honoring of agreements.

Example 3:

Scenario: Liability for Government Loans

Context: Before the commencement of the Constitution, the Government of the Dominion of India had taken a loan from a foreign bank for infrastructure development.

Application of Article 294:

• After the commencement of the Constitution, the liability to repay this loan is transferred to the Government of India.
• The Government of India is now responsible for making repayments according to the loan agreement.

Explanation: This example demonstrates how financial liabilities of the British government were assumed by the Indian government, ensuring that debts were honored and repaid.

Example 4:

Scenario: Transfer of Provincial Assets

Context: Before the commencement of the Constitution, a piece of agricultural land in Punjab was owned by His Majesty for the purposes of the Government of the Governor's Province of Punjab.

Application of Article 294:

• After the commencement of the Constitution, this land becomes the property of the State Government of Punjab.
• The State Government of Punjab now has all the rights to use, manage, and maintain this land.

Explanation: This example illustrates how properties owned by provincial governments under British rule were transferred to the respective state governments in India after the Constitution came into effect.