Ref - Advertisement in the newspaper (EE/RPD-II CPWD).

JHS/0581/2019
4th September 2019

To, 
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri
Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge)
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Nirman Bhawan
NewDelhi - 110001

Sub- Consultancy Services for Development/Redevelopment of Parliament Building, Common Central Secretariat & Central Vista and New Delhi

Rer- Advertisement in the newspaper (EE/RPD-II CPWD)

Dear Sir,

Greetings from the Indian Institute of Architects.

Sir, We are happy to note that the CPWD has published an advertisement for the appointment of an Architectural Consultant for Comprehensive Architectural & Engineering Planning, of the Development/Redevelopment of Parliament Building, Common Central Secretariat & Central Vista at New Delhi.

But it is noted with regret that, the advertisement stipulates conditions which will lead to exclusion from participation by most of the Indian Architects/Architectural Firms. These conditions include.

I. Annual Turnover Criteria.
II. EMD of Rs. 50 lakhs.
III. Over Emphasis on non-Technical Criteria's. (sic!)

You will appreciate that even the largest & the most established Indian Architects/Architectural Firms with proven track record find it difficult to matchup with the very ordinary foreign Architects/Architectural firms in terms of annual turnover & other PW criteria's only due to Rupee to Dollar disparity.

Further no responsibility for deficiency in professional work can be fixed if non-Architects & Consultancy organizations without any experienced architect as a majority stakeholder are appointed.

In view of the above, it is requested that the architect for this project of National importance & unique ionicity be elected through a 2 stage design competition strictly as per the guidelines prescribed by the Council of Architecture, body constituted by an Act of Parliament itself.

Sir, We are sure that, you will understand & appreciate our concerns & issue appropriate & necessary directions to ensure that, an Architect who is most accomplished for an iconic assignment as this is appointed through a process of competition amongst the best minds that are available in this great Nation.

IIA Stands by for any assistance to be given in this regard.

Thanking you,
Faithfully yours.

[signed]
Ar. Divya Kush,
President, IIA

[signed]
Ar. Lalichan Zacharias,      
Jt. Hon Secretary, IIA
[signed]
Ar. C. R. Raju.
Jt. Hon. Secretary, IIA

Copy - Director General, CPWD, Nirman Bhavan, New Dehi
The Executive Enginer, Redevelopment Project, Division II, CPWD, Nirman Bhavan, New Dehi
To all Council Members/Chapter Chairpersons IIA.