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CMDA advt. violative of norms: architects

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI Sept. 20. Two all-India professional bodies representing architects have sought withdrawal of a tender notification, published as an advertisement by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, on selection of architects for the proposed Secretariat complex in south Chennai.

While the Indian Institute of Architects has addressed the Chief Minister urging her to ``advise the CMDA'' to withdraw the advertisement as it ``violates the norms and procedures for inviting designs and appointment of architects'', the Council for Architecture has called upon the CMDA to ``make appropriate amendments to said notification and call for an Architectural Design Competition for preparation of designs'' in accordance with the CoA's competition guidelines.

The CMDA on September 10 advertised in certain newspapers notifying a tender for selection of designs for the new Secretariat and architects-consultants for the construction at Kotturpuram. It gave eligibility criteria and other conditions.

The CoA's Registrar Vinod Kumar, in his letter dated September 18, said the advertisement was in contravention of Regulations 2 (1) (xiv) and 2 (1) (xvi) of the Architects (professional Conduct) Regulations, 1989. As per these provisions, an architect should not prepare designs in competition with other architects for a client without payment or for a reduced fee (except in a competition conducted in accordance with the Architectural Competition Guidelines approved by the COA). Violation of the provision was a professional misconduct.

The IIA president, Balbir Verma, said that while the institute fully appreciated the Government's efforts and was keen on helping the Chief Minister in the work, the selection and appointment of architects should be done to ensure compliance with the professional code and conduct and stipulated norms and procedure. In case the CMDA wanted to invite designs for the project from the architects, it would be fair to do so by organising a competition as per the relevant guidelines.

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