a.    There is an attempt by the Council of Architecture (CoA) to curtail the role of Engineers, by bringing in amendments in the Architects Act 1972. The Architects Act – which was passed for protection of Title only, is now being misused by the Council of Architecture to represent ‘Architectural Services’. A brief reading of Prefatory Note --- Statement of Objects and Reasons clearly states:
 
……..‘ The legislation protects the title “Architects” but does not make the design, supervision and construction of buildings as an exclusive responsibility of Architects.  Other professionals like engineers will be free to engage themselves in their normal vocation  in respect of Building Construction works  provided that they do not style themselves as Architects ’……..

 
b.    Amendment of Architects Act, as desired by CoA will curtail the role of Engineers, which will have an adverse impact on the safety and stability of the buildings. It will also impact the Govt’s initiative and resolve of providing safe housing for all by 2022, and may severely impact the nations growth prospects in near future. Recent Earthquake in Nepal has clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of building stocks under earthquake and one of the important lessons learnt in this tragedy is the need to empower Engineers to take a bigger role in nation building exercise and build safer structures. Engineers must be made accountable for the design and construction of the building stock.
 
c.    There is already a huge scarcity of core professionals (Both Architects and Engineers) for nation building and such move by the CoA to further curtail the role of Engineers, will only put brakes in the pace of development.
 
d.    In light of the above, we wish to record our protest to the Government of India for entertaining any such nefarious designs of the  CoA & other vested interests. CoA has challenged the contents of the  National Building Code ( NBC ) particularly part-2 Administration prepared by Bureau of Indian Standards ( BIS ) which will affect the extent and capacity of Engineering Fraternity to render independent professional services and thereby the Safety and Security of  entire population of the Country