Preamble :

1.    Several years ago in 1970, the Barve Committee, which was set up by the Planning Commission, had identified the need to fulfill two essential requirements – statutory recognition of the profession of engineering and registration of engineers for proper growth and development of the engineering profession in the country. It was recognized that without statutory recognition of engineers the Government does not fully discharge its responsibility to safeguard the society from hazards of unsafe and improperly engineered facilities. After more than 44 years of setting up of the Barve Committee, the plight of engineers remains the same.

2.    In 2009, the Union Human Resource Development Ministry had once again taken the initiative and mooted the Engineers Bill, which stipulated mandatory registration / certification of professional engineers. The Bill had also proposed setting up the “Indian Council of Engineers”, which will have statutory status and will maintain a national and international register of professional engineers and associate professional engineers and will regulate the engineering profession. It was realized that creating such register will help Indian engineers globally and create certified quality standards. It is understood that the HRD Ministry circulated draft bill through a cabinet note to other concerned ministries for approval. After cabinet approval, the bill had to be placed before the parliament. For reasons unknown,the cabinet approval is yet to come, before the Bill can go to Parliament for ratification.

3.    State Govt of Gujarat has already enacted “Gujarat Professional Civil Engineers Act” in 2006, but it does not cover other branches of engineering. It is imperative that such an Act for all engineering disciplines should be applicable, pan-India.

4.    After the holocaust of Uttarakhand, devastating Tsunami, Earthquakes, flooding, wind storms & rampant construction leading to random loss of precious property and lives, the Consumer Protection Act requires a strict Licensing environment for Engineers to curtail malpractices.The entire engineering community is anxiously waiting and looking forward to see the enactment of the Engineers Bill, through an act of parliament, which would be applicable pan-India, now that India has become  a permanent signatory to Washington Accord in June 2014.

Petition:

1.    We the undersigned request that the present Government at the centre to take cognizance of the importance of engineers and initiate speedily the process of passing “ENGINEERS BILL”, which has already been prepared by the Union Human Resource Development Ministry and thereby pave the way to set up an “Indian Council of Engineers” that will maintain a national register of professional engineers and associate professional engineers and will regulate the engineering profession ensuring accountability. This is required in the interest of Consumer Protection Act against potential life threatening situations that occur out of malpractices in engineering,, while providing consumer protection against natural calamities. Other professions like Accountants, Architects , Doctors, Lawyers, Nursing are already covered by Consumer Protection Act as they have statutory recognition. The Council will also have the mandate to promote Skill Development through Continuing Education, which is part of WTO requirement in Washington Accord.

2.    “Indian Council of Engineers” should have the aim to streamline the quality of practicing engineers in the country and ensure compliance with Code of Ethics & correct implementation of the National Building Code.

Sir, the engineering fraternity desires their dream to come true with you now at the helm of our great nation.

Petitioners :

1.    Alok Bhowmick,

Managing Director, B&S Engg Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (email: bsec.ab@gmail.com)

2.    Vidya Prakash Agarwal,

Principal Consultant, Isha Consultants (P) Ltd. (email: ishacon.vpa@gmail.com)

3.    Sangeeta Wij,

President,WISE India,Vice President,INWES, (email : sangeeta.wij@aecom.com)

4.    Vipul Ahuja,

CEO, Ahuja Consultants Pvt. Ltd. (email: acpl222@yahoo.co.in)