The Architects Act was enacted in 1972 to provide for registration of Architects and the matters connected therewith. For over four decades, the

F.No. 4-52/2013-TS.VI

Government of India

Ministry of Human Resource Development Department of Itigher Education Technical Section - VIth

ORDER

New Delhi, dated 6 March, 2014

Sub: Constitution of a Committee to examine the comprehensive amendments in the Architects Act, 1972 as suggested by the Council of Architecture and other related issues-reg.

The Architects Act was enacted in 1972 to provide for registration of Architects and the matters connected therewith. For over four decades, the Act has been serving the purpose quite well. However, in the last decade, during its operation, numerous representations were received from various quarters in:licating certain shortcomings and highlighting the need for amendments in certain provisions of the Act to bring it in tune with the present requirements nationally and globally. Also due to certain overlapping provisions in the Architects Act, 1972 vis-a-vis other Acts like AICTE Act, Limited Liability Partnership Act, Companies Act etc., leading to various court cases. In view of all these developments and also with a view to maintain healthy atmosphere of coordination between the architectural education and prcfess:oi, ths Cent•a: Govt. has de5ired to revisit certain provisions of the Architects Act, 1972 to incorporate some enabling provisions to make this Act more objective and strengthen it further to deal with all the matters relating to Architectural Profession and Architectural Education.

2. In the meanwhile, a proposal for the comprehensive amendments of the Architects Act, 1972 from COA has been received in the Ministry. With a view to examine the proposed amendments to the Architects Act. 1972, the Government of India, with the approval of Competent Authority, has decided to constitute a Committee comprising of the following :

  1. Sh. J. R. Bhalla, Eminent Architect & Author of the Act - (ii) Sh. Hafeez Contractor, Eminent Architect -
  2. A nominee from the COA -
  3. The Secretary . UGC -
  4. The Director, SPA, Vijayawada -
  5. Sh. Rajesh Singh,Director(T),MHRD -
  6. Chairman Member Member Member Member Convener

3. Apart from above,whenever felt necessary,a Nominee each from the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Corporate Affairs and Ministry of Finance could be co-opted onto the Committee to address over-lapping provisions of Archi1ects Act with provisions under Statutes or Orders of respective Ministries.

4. The Terms of Reference(TOR) of the Committee are as under

  1. To examine the proposal submitted by the COA for the comprehensive review of the various clauses/sections of the existing Architects Act. 1972 vis-a-vis the proposed amendments suggested by the COA;

  2.  To suggest enabling provisions in the existing Architects Act to make ii more comprehensive so that Architectural Education and Architectural profession are defined in a more clearer way to bring transparency in the working of COA;

  3.  To review jurisdictional area of functioning of the COA in so farArchitectural Education and Profession are concerned;

  4.  To examine the areas of conflict of the Architects Act, 1972 vis-a-vis other Statutes or Orders;

  5.  To identify the present challenges for updating the Architectural Education and Profession both.

  6.  The Committee shall submit its report within a period of three months.

  7.  The Committee may co-opt more members & adopt measures as deem fit to take the views of all the stakeholders.

5. The expenditure towards TA/DA and Honoraria etc., if any,to the members of the Committee shall be borne by SPA, New Delhi. The Secretarial and logistics support, services and other necessary arrangements for the working of the Committee will be provided by the SPA, New Delhi.

(Rajesh Sin Solanki) Under Secretary to the Govt. of India