Planning, architecture schools & colleges may come under UD

All schools and colleges of planning and architecture would come under the Urban Development (UD) ministry, if a proposal by a panel of secretaries recommending reallocation of an act pertaining to it is accepted.
Currently, these institutes come under the purview of Human Resource Development (HRD) ministry as per the Architects Act, 1972.
The panel of secretaries, headed by the cabinet secretary, has recommended reallocation of the act from the HRD ministry to the UD ministry headed by M Venkaiah Naidu, a source said.
The move will enable the UD ministry to regulate architecture education and profession throughout the country, besides maintaining the register of architects.

The rationale behind the proposal is that the ministry has the expertise in architecture sector as it deals with building activities and planning in urban areas.
Architects Act, 1972 provides for registration of architects, setting standards of education and practice of architecture and recognition of qualifications.

The reallocation decision is on the lines of various Acts being administered by various ministries which have direct correlation with the provisions of the Acts.
For instance, the Company Secretaries Act 1990 is under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs; Pharmacy Act, 1948, Dentists Act, 1948, Indian Medical Council Act, 1958 are with the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Advocates Act, 1961 with Ministry of Law & Justice.

Besides, a large number of construction-related entities like NBCC, CPWD, HUDCO, National Institute of Urban Affairs, Town and Country Planning Organisation are with Urban Development and Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation Ministries. Their functioning also involves wide range of engagement with architects.