Non-architect as MC planner, regulatory body seeks answer
The Council of Architecture, a regulatory body of the Government of India, has sought a reply from the state government as well as Municipal Corporation for appointing a non-architect as Architect Planner in Municipal Corporation, Shimla.
In a letter written to Chief Secretary and Shimla Municipal Commissioner, Bhupinder Attri, the Council requested the Himachal Pradesh Government as well as Municipal Corporation, Shimla, not to allow a non-architect to be appointed to any post which carries the title and and duties and functions of an architect.
The letter reads. “Section 2(a), 35, 36 and 37 of the Architects Act, 1972 prohibit use of title and style of “Architect” by non-Architects and violation of the same is punishable offence.”
Violates Architects Act
Sections 2(a), 35, 36 and 37 of the Architects Act, 1972 prohibit use of title and style of “Architect” by non-Architects and violation of the same is punishable offence. — RK Oberoi, Registrar, Council of Architecture, wrote in the letter
RK Oberoi, Registrar, Council of Architecture, in the letter stated that Shimla Municipal Corporation has appointed Mehboob Ali Shiekh, a non-architect, as Architect Planner. However, till date no action has been taken in the matter and Mehboob Ali Shiekh, continues to violate the Architects Act, 1972 by holding the post of ‘Architect Planner’.
He further stated “We would like to inform you that the Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No. 1819 of 2020 vide judgment dated March 17, 2020 held that only an “Architect can be appointed to post of Architect. Thus, the Government of Himachal Pradesh is once again requested to not to allow non-architects to be appointed/ promoted to any post which carries the title and style of an “Architect” and/or duties and functions of an Architect and appropriate direction be issued to concerned Departments/ Local Authorities to comply with the provisions,” he stated.
