Transfer of officers: central government may reassign SEZ staff to Authorities while preserving pay and service conditions. Central Government may transfer officers and other employees (except on deputation) from an existing SEZ to the Authority; transferred posts must carry a scale of pay not lower than the previous post and must preserve other terms and conditions of service including pension, leave, provident fund and medical benefits. Officers officiating in higher posts immediately before transfer have pay and allowances protected for the unexpired period of such officiation, after which they receive the pay scale they would have reverted to but for transfer. Disputes on comparative favourability of terms are finally decided by the Central Government.