Architects up in arms against PMC

City-based architects have reacted sharply to the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) move to issue licences to architects practising within the PMC limits.

Terming the move as illegal, the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) and Architects Engineers and Surveyor’s Association (AESA) have denounced the civic body.

Architect Jagdish Deshpande was blacklisted by the PMC as a result of complaints from residents of Amrut Kalash Housing Society, Kothrud. The residents had lodged a complaint of fraud against the architect.

Following the blacklisting of the architect, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vikas Mathkari had stated that many architects were practising illegally without a proper licence for the last 24 years. Mathkari’s statement was further ascertained by the then municipal commissioner, Mahesh Zagade, who had declared his intention of making licences compulsory for architects.

Responding to Mathkari’s charges, Vishwas Deshpande of IIA, stated that the only licence any architect needs to have is registration with the Council of Architecture.