(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Administrator-General's Act, 1913 (3 of 1913), an Administrator-General shall not interpose in any manner in relation to any property of a deceased which has been dealt with under section 171 or section 172 except in so far as he is expressly required or competent to do so by or under the provisions of this Act.
(2) The Central Government may, at any time and in such circumstances as it thinks fit, direct that the estate of a deceased [sailor] or officer shall be handed over by the commanding officer or the Committee of Adjustment, as the case may be, to the Administrator-General of a State for administration and thereupon such commanding officer or the Committee shall make over the estate to such Administrator-General.
(3) Where under this section any estate is handed over to the Administrator-General, the latter shall administer such estate in accordance with the provisions of the Administrator-Generals Act, 1913 (3 of 1913):
Provided that where the estate is handed over to the Administrator-General before the ship and service debts and other debts in ship or quarters of the deceased are paid, it shall be the duty of the Administrator-General to pay these debts in priority to any debts due by the deceased.
(4) The Administrator-General shall pay the surplus, if any, remaining in his hands after discharging all debts and charges, to the heirs of the deceased and if no heir is traceable, shall make over the surplus to the person prescribed in this behalf.
(5) The Administrator-General shall not charge in respect of his duties under this section any fee exceeding three per cent. of the total amount coming to or remaining in his hands after payment of the ship and service debts and the other debts in ship or quarters.