Architects in Karnataka are raising concerns about the provisions laid out in the recently passed Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act 2024 (KPCEA BILL). They argue that this legislation infringes on their rights as professionals and could potentially disrupt their field of work. Under the current architecture regulations in India, the Architect’s Act of 1972 is the primary law governing the profession. This central legislation focuses on key aspects such as architect registration, education standards, recognized qualifications, and the professional code that architects must adhere to in their practice. Additionally, it establishes the Council of Architecture as the authoritative body responsible for implementing and enforcing the Act’s provisions. However, the KPCEA Bill poses a potential challenge to this existing framework. Unlike the national-level legislation, the KPCEA Bill is a state-level law specifically designed to regulate the practice of civil engineering in Karnataka. Its fundamental objective is to establish the Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Council, empowered with the authority to issue licenses, set qualifications, and enforce standards for civil engineers throughout the state. Critics of the bill argue that this deviation from the central legislation creates a problematic scenario for those working in the field of architecture. With the KPCEA Bill potentially granting similar powers to civil engineers, architects fear that their professional autonomy and governance could be greatly affected.
Architect’s Concerns on Professional Autonomy and Regulation
Architectural professionals like Subbaiah have spoken out against the bill, emphasizing the importance of preserving the existing framework established by the Architect’s Act of 1972. According to Subbaiah, this central legislation provides a comprehensive and regulated system that ensures high standards in architecture education, practice, and professional conduct. The architects argue that branching out into separate state-level laws not only undermines the national unity of the architectural profession but also dilutes the effectiveness of professional regulation and standardization. They emphasize that maintaining a single set of regulations allows for consistent and necessary oversight in architecture across the country. By enacting the KPCEA Bill, the profession may be exposed to inconsistencies, confusion, and possible loopholes in the regulatory system. In light of their concerns, architects across Karnataka are calling for a revision of the KPCEA Bill that respects the aspirations of their field while preserving the integrity of the established architecture laws. As the bill seeks to regulate civil engineering specifically, architects believe that a collaborative approach to legislation-making, wherein civil engineers and architects come together, would result in a balanced and effective framework.
The Road Ahead for the Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act
With the objections raised by architects, the implementation of the Karnataka Professional Civil Engineers Act faces significant challenges. The concerns regarding infringing upon architectural professionals’ rights and disrupting their field of work must be addressed through extensive dialogue and deliberation. It is vital for the Karnataka government and involved stakeholders to recognize the importance of architects’ expertise and the unique challenges faced by their profession. Collaborative efforts within the architectural and civil engineering communities could pave the way for an amended version of the bill that upholds the integrity and autonomy of the architectural profession in Karnataka. The architects of Karnataka unequivocally voice their support for a legislative process based on dialogue, informed decision-making, and the unified goal of shaping a regulatory framework that nurtures and streamlines both architecture and civil engineering sectors.
