The Bill assumes significance since unlike other disciplines like medicine, architecture and law etc, that have statutory bodies, engineers are free to practice their profession without any monitoring. Currently, the All India Council for Technical Education (aicte) is the sole body whose role is confined to regulating and coordinating technical education in the country. "As a result, leave alone underqualified persons, even masons pass off as engineers and undertake projects," says R.K. Abrol, director, ceai.
Abrol admits that a large number of those practising as professional engineers are either unqualified or inexperienced. "The nature and quantity of work undertaken by such people is alarmingly serious and large and therefore it becomes all the more imperative to regulate, restrict and sift the entry into the profession and prevent any attempts to masquerade as professional qualified engineers," he says. "The best part of the Bill is that like architects, the consent of engineers involved in constructions will be sought for clearance of any structure. It'll make them equally accountable," says an office-bearer of the Institution of Engineers.
"This is standard practice in all developed and many developing nations." Clearly, India has a lot of catching up to do, and the Bill is a welcome step towards a more reliable and accountable profession.