MUMBAI: Builders can simply replace architects and engineers if they raise the red flag against violations, said a professional association that met the municipal commissioner on Monday.

Representatives of the Practising Engineers, Architects and Townplanners Association (PEATA) said that a proposed BMC manual aimed at creating ease of business says a builder can now obtain NOCs from consultants, which includes architects, with a specified level of education and experience.

The PEATA representatives requested Mehta to change the clause, which they said gives builders power to exploit architects and other consultants. They also asked Mehta to reduce the number of municipal officers handling building proposal files to four from eight.

Mehta reportedly assured the PEATA members that he would look into their demands. "What if a builder violates the NOC condition and the consultant raises objection over it?" Shirish Sukhatme of PEATA said. "A builder can easily change the consultant and appoint a new one."