The Institution of Engineers (India), the largest multidisciplinary body of engineers in the world, is looking at making engineering more responsible and accountable by proposing a Engineers Act. |
Unlike doctors or accountants, who are governed by the concerned statutory bodies, there is no constitutional provision to regulate the practice of engineers. |
S C Naik, president, Institute of Engineers (India), said on Friday, "We are in talks with various central bodies such as the ministry of urban development and the human resources department to draft an Engineers Act that would work as the guiding document to all engineering professionals. It will make them more accountable and also give them credit for achievements." |
Naik, however, made it clear that the process is long and will take 2-3 years. |
The long process, however, is not a deterrent to the Institute. "We have always been promoters of working ethics and have our own Ethics Control Board to check corruption. Since our formation in 1920 we have achieved many milestones and are responsible for the initiation of the Indian Standards Institute which later became The Bureau of Indian Standards," said Arvind Poothia, secretary and director general, The Institution of Engineers (India). |
Formed with an objective of formal development of engineers, the institute has tied up with Engineers Mobility Forum (EMF), an international body of professional engineering institutions to certify professional engineers to international standards for the forthcoming WTO-GATT regime. |
Explaining the importance of this certification, Naik said, "This is an international certificate that will allow for mobility of professionals in the member countries of the EMF." |
The EMF has 11 permanent members which include Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the US, Canada, Ireland, Hongkong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia and South Africa. India, along with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Singapore are members on a probation basis. "We will become permanent a member by 2007," said Naik. |
Naik also announced the major forthcoming events for the year. The institute is also in the process of hosting the International Coal Congress in November in Delhi, followed by the Indian Engineering Congress meet in December in Guwahati. |
"We will also be hosting the general assembly of the World Mining Congress and World Federation of Engineering Organisations at Delhi," he said. |