17A. Transfer of accounts 

(1) Where an employee employed in an establishment to which this Act applies leaves his employment and obtains re-employment in another establishment to which this Act does not apply the amount of accumulations to the credit of such employee in the Fund or as the case may be in the provident fund of the establishment left by him shall be transferred within such time as may be specified by the Central Government in the behalf to the credit of his account in the provident fund of the establishment in which he is re-employed if the employee so desires and the rules in relation to that provident fund permit such transfer.

(2) Where an employee employed in an establishment to which this Act does not apply leaves his establishment and obtains re-employment in another establishment to which this Act applies the amount of accumulations to the credit of such employee in the provident fund of the establishment left by him may if the employee so desires and the rules in relation to such provident fund permit be transferred to the credit of his account in the Fund or as the case may be in the provident fund of the establishment in which he is re-employed.