NEW DELHI: Four groupings of professional engineers in the country have sought government intervention against an "erroneous" interpretation of law by the Council of Architecture (COA), which seeks to prohibit those not registered with it from providing architectural or related consultancy services.
The matter assumes significance because the architectural works and services have historically been done and provided by qualified engineers as well.
The engineers' groups have said that the Statements of Objects and Reasons of the Architects Act, 1972 specifically states that professionals like engineers can also offer their services in building construction works."
The legislation protects the title 'Architect' 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 work, provided they do not style themselves as architects," as per the Act's Statement of Objects and Reasons.