The Council of Architecture set up under the Architects Act, 1972, deems it a pleasure to present the Annual Report and Audited Statement of Accounts

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-10112023-250013 EXTRAORDINARY PART III—Section 4 PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE (A statutory authority of Government of India) (ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023) NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 14th August, 2023 F. No.CA/55/2023/Annual Report.—The Council of Architecture set up under the Architects Act, 1972, deems it a pleasure to present the Annual Report and Audited Statement of Accounts for the financial year ending on 31st March, 2023. The Council of Architecture (COA) is regulatory authority for architectural institutions and professionals in the country and maintains a Register of Architects on national basis. The Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, Government of India is the nodal Ministry of the Council. The COA, besides maintaining Register of Architects, oversees the maintenance of standards, periodically of recognized qualifications under the Act by way of conducting inspection through Committees of Experts. Based on the reports submitted by Experts, the COA can make representation to appropriate Governments with regard to inadequacy of standards maintained by the institutions. Ar. Habeeb Khan was the President and Ar. Sapna, was Vice-President of the Council. Shri R. K. Oberoi is the Registrar and Shri Deepak Kumar is Administrative Officer of the Council. In order to carry out the objectives of the Act and Regulations framed thereunder, the Council has constituted the following Statutory Committees: (i) The Executive Committee is constituted under Section 10 of the Act and it functions as an Executive Authority of the Council. (ii) Disciplinary Committee is constituted by the Central Government as per Council of Architecture Rules framed by the Central Government. This committee investigates the complaints and holds enquiries relating to professional misconduct of architects and makes its recommendations to the Council for taking decision on the guilt of the Architects. (iii) Advisory Committee (Appeals) hears the appeals of the applicants whose applications for registration are rejected. (iv) Sub-Committee on Foreign Qualifications examines the references received from Central Government for recognition of Foreign qualifications. (v) Scrutiny Committee scrutinizes the proposals/ applications received from existing institutions for extension of approval/ additional intake/ new institutions for introduction B.Arch. Course. The details of the various activities undertaken by the Council from 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023 are enumerated below: 1. MEETINGS: Council Meetings: During the year under report the Council had three meetings i.e. 77th Meeting 15th July, 2022, 78th Meeting 7th November, 2022 and 79th Meeting 12th March, 2023. Executive Committee Meetings: During the year under report the Executive Committee had its 12 meetings as under: 1. 237th Meeting - 22nd June, 2022 - Online 2. 238th Meeting - 15th July, 2022 - Offline 3. 239th Meeting - 16th July, 2022 - Offline 4. 240th Meeting - 19th August, 2022 - Online 5. 241st Meeting - 30th August, 2022, 05th September, 2022, 15th September, 2022, 30th September, 2022 - Online 6. 242nd Meeting - 16th October, 2022 - Online 7. 243rd Meeting - 29th October, 2022 - Online 8. 244th Meeting - 5th November, 2022 - Hybrid 9. 245th Meeting - 16th November, 2022 - Online 10. 246th Meeting - 23rd December, 2022 - Online 11. 247th Meeting - 15th February, 2023 - Online 12. 248th Meeting - 5th March, 2023, 6th March, 2023 - Online 2. REGISTRATION OF ARCHITECTS: The Council registers a person, as an Architect under Section 25 of the Act, who resides or carries on the profession of Architecture in India and holds a recognized architectural qualification. The registration application and fees can be submitted in online as well as in offline mode. During the period under report, Council has granted registration to 13813 qualified persons as Architects. With this as on 31st March, 2023, a total of 156104 Architects have been registered as architects. The state wise details of 122623 architects who hold valid registration as on 31.03.2023, is as under: Sl. No. | Name of States/UTs | Architects Registered during period 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2023 | Total Architects Registered as on 31.03.2023 | Active Architects with valid renewal as on 31.03.2023 1. | Andaman and Nicobar | 4 | 57 | 45 2. | Andhra Pradesh | 288 | 2503 | 1849 3. | Arunachal Pradesh | 7 | 95 | 77 4. | Assam | 104 | 1036 | 881 5. | Bihar | 136 | 1263 | 1071 6. | Chandigarh | 40 | 1109 | 861 7. | Chhattisgarh | 125 | 1408 | 1087 8. | Dadar and Nagar Haveli | 7 | 38 | 30 9. | Daman and Diu | 5 | 52 | 44 10. | Delhi | 620 | 13385 | 10216 11. | Goa | 84 | 1036 | 893 12. | Gujarat | 782 | 9902 | 7406 13. | Haryana | 393 | 5823 | 4813 14. | Himachal Pradesh | 65 | 769 | 630 15. | Jammu and Kashmir | 30 | 492 | 401 16. | Jharkhand | 62 | 788 | 630 17. | Karnataka | 1144 | 11512 | 9066 18. | Kerala | 1560 | 9402 | 7651 19. | Ladakh | 4 | 11 | 11 20. | Lakshadweep | 1 | 5 | 5 21. | Madhya Pradesh | 328 | 4375 | 3252 22. | Maharashtra | 3327 | 42043 | 33419 23. | Manipur | 15 | 172 | 140 24. | Meghalaya | 25 | 191 | 165 25. | Mizoram | 17 | 138 | 125 26. | Nagaland | 20 | 105 | 87 27. | Odisha | 153 | 1624 | 1320 28. | Puducherry | 34 | 342 | 261 29. | Punjab | 259 | 3022 | 2413 30. | Rajasthan | 356 | 3373 | 2688 31. | Sikkim | 13 | 116 | 94 32. | Tamil Nadu | 2275 | 18758 | 14059 33. | Telangana | 475 | 5736 | 4319 34. | Tripura | 3 | 63 | 50 35. | Uttarakhand | 85 | 1245 | 1011 36. | Uttar Pradesh | 762 | 10807 | 8887 37. | West Bengal | 205 | 3305 | 2664 38. | C/o 56 APO | 0 | 2 | 1 39. | C/o 99 APO | 0 | 1 | 1 Total | | 13813 | 156104 | 122623 3. RENEWAL OF REGISTRATION OF ARCHITECTS: During the period under report the Council has renewed registration of 15741 architects on annual basis and 4425 architects have opted for one-time renewal. 6253 architects have restored their names to the register of architects upon payment of requisite fees. 4. ISSUANCE OF NEW CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION AND IDENTITY CARDS TO ARCHITECTS HAVING VALID REGISTRATION: During the year under report the Council has issued new Certificates of Registration and Identity cards free of cost, on surrender of existing Certificates to:- 1. 5181 existing Registered Architects 2. 16258 New Registered Architects (01.01.2022 to 31.03.2023) 5. BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 2022-2023: The Executive Committee of Council in its 236th Meeting held on 25th February, 2022 approved the Budget Estimates for the Financial Year 2022-2023 with Recurring Expenditure to the extent of Rs.23,16,25,000/- and Non-recurring Rs.14,43,00,000/- as against the income receivable to the extent of Rs.37,59,41,000/-. 6. RECOGNITION OF COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE EMPLOYEES CONTRIBUTORY PROVIDENT FUND TRUST BY INCOME TAX DEPARTMENT, GOVT. OF INDIA: The Council has submitted necessary application/ documents to Income Tax Department for recognition of the Council of Architecture Employees Contributory Provident Fund Trust by the Income Tax Department, govt. of India. The approval of the Department is awaited. 7. IMPOSITION OF SERVICE TAX/GST ON THE STATUTORY FEES AND CHARGES COLLECTED BY THE COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE: The Principal Commissioner of Service Tax, Delhi-II has served Show Cause Notice (SCN) to the Council demanding a sum of Rs.1,73,60,950/- as Service Tax, Education Cess & HSEC and on various services received/rendered, besides interest and penalty u/s 75,76,77 & 78 of The Finance Act, 1994. The Council has contested the claim of Service Tax Department vide Council's Appeal No. ST/53090 of 2016-DB dated 15.12.2016 and deposited a sum of Rs.17,36,095/-. Further, the Commissioner of Central Tax, GST Delhi East, New Delhi has raised a demand of Rs.2,53,84,776/- vide Order no. 85-86/Commr/ Delhi-Eat/A.P/2021-22 dated 28.07.2022 for period from 01.04.2015 to 30.06.2017 /- as Service Tax, Education Cess & HSEC and on various services received/rendered, besides interest and penalty u/s 75,76,77 & 78 of The Finance Act, 1994. The Council has also contested the claim of Service Tax Department vide Council's Appeal No. ST/5194/2022-CU [DB] dated 01.08.2022 and deposited a sum of Rs.19,03,860 during F.Y. 2022-23 towards the Pre-Deposit (Advance) of Service Tax Demand i.e. 7.5% of total demand raised and mandatory Pre-Deposit u/s 83 of Finance Act,1994. Outcome of these Appeals are still pending before Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi. The Council also received notices from the Superintendent/Appraiser/Senior Intelligence officer, DGGI [Directorate General of GST Intelligence] and related tax authorities regarding further GST liability on statutory fees and charges collected by the Council, which the Council has contested through legal proceedings, deposits and appeals in a similar manner as noted above. [Items 8 to 21 of this Report cover, in sequence: recognition and periodic inspection of institutions/schools of architecture imparting the B.Arch. course and their intake, conduct of the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) and other examinations, functioning of the Council's online Data Bank/registration portal, professional practice and the Council's Code of Conduct/Architects (Professional Conduct) Regulations, publication and sale of the Council's Handbook/Manual of Professional Practice, court cases and writ petitions involving the Council before the Supreme Court and various High Courts, international relations and correspondence/MoUs with foreign professional bodies and architecture institutions, and the Council's recommendation to the Central Government to amend the requirement of having Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics (PCM) subjects at the 10+2 level for admission to the Architecture Course, made in view of concerns raised by the Parliamentary Committee about a sudden fall in the number of students seeking admission to the Architecture Course.] 22. PRESENTATION BEFORE PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE OF RAJYA SABHA ON EDUCATION AND SPORTS MINISTRY: The President, COA, made a detailed presentation before the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Rajya Sabha on Education and Sports Ministry in March, 2022, on working of the Council and need for amendments in the Architects Act, 1972 and on various other related issues. 23. COMPLAINTS FOR PROFESSIONAL MISCONDUCT: Sections 22 and 30 of the Architects Act, 1972 mandate the Council to take action against architects for professional misconduct. The Central Government has framed Council of Architecture Rules,1973 inter alia prescribing procedure to deal with such complaints. During the period under report the Council received 18 new complaints against Architects. In terms of Council of Architecture Rules, 1973, the Disciplinary Committee is constituted by the Central Government, from time to time, by gazette notification to investigate the complaints received against Architects for alleged professional misconduct as referred by the Council. Further, Ar. Ashutosh Kumar Agarwal, Chairman and Ar. M.P. Singh and Ar. Amogh Kumar Gupta were members of the Disciplinary Committee. The Disciplinary Committee met two times i.e. on 06.05.2022 and 01.08.2022 and meetings were conducted in Hybrid Mode. The Committee investigated 04 complaint cases. In terms of provisions of Section 30 of the Act, the Council in its 78th Meeting held on 07.11.2022, after affording opportunity of hearing passed following orders: 1. AR. LATHIKA I. NAIR, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Reprimanded. 2. AR. BELA GODHA, BHOPAL – Suspended from practice as an architect for a period of one year (Hon'ble Delhi High Court has stayed the order of Council). 3. AR. NABIN PATRA, NEW DELHI - Suspended from practice as an Architect for a period of 2 years. 4. AR. HARSHIT SADH, VADODARA - Reprimanded. 24. COMMITTEE ON RECOGNITION OF FOREIGN QUALIFICATIONS: [Items 25 to 51 of this Report cover, in sequence: the work of the Committee on Recognition of Foreign Qualifications; recognized schools of architecture and inspections of institutions across the country during 2022-23; conduct and results of the Part I, Part II and Associateship examinations; grievance redressal and RTI matters; the Council's website, online services and Data Bank of registered architects; publications brought out by the Council including its journal and technical manuals; the Continuing Professional Development (CPD)/training programmes, workshops, seminars and webinars conducted by the Council and its Centres of Excellence at various venues across India during the year, including the Thesis/Heritage Award Programme, the Design Competition and Stone Laying events, the Urban Studio Research Project, the Building Energy Efficiency (BEE) Programme, and the Film on Architectural Awareness; and a bibliography/list of publications, guest lectures and books released during the year, including titles such as "Courtyard Houses of India" (Yatin Pandya), "Architectural Inheritance and Evolution in India" (Apurva Bose Dutta), "Chandigarh" (Ar. S S Bhati), "Architecture: Theory, Practice, Research, and Pedagogy" (Ar. S S Bhati), and "Sheltering Angle" (Ar. Asha Baste and Late Ar. Prabhakar Baste).] 52. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The Council would like to place on record its appreciation and gratitude to the Central Government and its Officers, all State Governments, Union Territories, all Architectural Institutions for extending their cooperation to Council in implementation of the Architects Act, 1972. The Council expresses its gratitude to the office bearers and members of the Council, Experts, Auditors, Advocates, other professional bodies, practicing architects, academicians and all advertisers for their cooperation, guidance, advice and support for furthering the objectives of the Architects Act, 1972. The Council would like to thank Hon'ble Speaker Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla Ji, Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji, Hon'ble Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Govt. of India, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan ji, Hon'ble Minister of Education, Govt. of India and Shri Piyush Goyal, Hon'ble Commerce Minister, Govt. of India, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, for their kind support and guidance to Council from time to time. The Council would also like to thank Hon'ble Governor Punjab, Hon'ble Chief Minister Kerala, Hon'ble Chief Minister Karnataka, Chief Secretary UP, for launch of Manual of Architectural Practice by them. The Council also expresses its gratitude to its Officers & employees and all those who have rendered useful services to it during the year 2022-23. Dated : 14.08.2023 R. K. OBEROI, Registrar [ADVT.-III/4/Exty./540/2022-23] (REGISTRAR) (PRESIDENT) (CA R.C. HASIJA) M.N.054809 Place : New Delhi Date : 16.08.2023 COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE : NEW DELHI (Established under the Architects Act, 1972 enacted by the Parliament of India) (NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION- SETUP AS A GOVERNMENT AUTHORITY) The Annual Report is accompanied by Audited Statements of Accounts for the financial year ended 31st March, 2023, comprising the Balance Sheet, Income and Expenditure Account, and Receipts and Payments Account, audited by M/s V. K. Verma & Co., Chartered Accountants (FRN: 000386N), through CA R.C. Hasija (M.N. 054809), in terms of their separate report of even date. RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE PERIOD ENDED ON 31ST MARCH, 2023 (Amount – Rs.) RECEIPTS: I. Opening Balance: a) Cash in hand 55,400.00 (Previous Year 50,930.00); b) Online PG Receipts 413,206.50 (948,377.00); c) Bank Balances: 1) In Current/OD accounts 752,622.77 (1,715,424.77); 2) Savings Accounts 18,950,954.40 (135,719,029.65); 3) Drafts at Hand 12,040.00 (709,109.00). II. Funds Received: a) Evaluation Fees 59,800,000.00 (69,020,000.00); b) Charges for Review of Decision 150,000.00 (1,000,000.00); c) Fine/Penalty from Institutions 455,000.00 (1,495,000.00); d) Charges for Change/Closure of Name/Site of Institution 5,100,000.00 (3,100,000.00); e) Arbitration Fee/Administrative Charges 32,000.00 (10,000.00). III. Interest Received 85,371,606.84 (76,251,794.64): a) On Bank deposits 820,362.00 (843,984.00); b) Loans, Advances etc. 2,376,170.00 (2,554,582.00); c) On Savings Bank Account. IV. Fee Income 8,050,200.00 (8,653,800.00): a) Registration Fee 10,719,100.00 (10,684,500.00); b) Renewal Fee 6,253,000.00 (5,460,700.00); c) Restoration Fee 186,000.00 (245,400.00); d) Duplicate Certificate Fee 14,304,650.00 (13,623,170.00); e) Fine from Architects 11,125,937.00 (10,461,999.00); f) Apportionment of One Time Renewal Fees 0.00 (200.00); g) Additional Qualification Fee. V. Other Income: a) Income from Publications 4,522,373.00 (3,264,620.00); b) RTI Fees 440.00 (280.00); c) NATA Fees 79,344,400.00 (100,724,000.00); d) Tender Fees 0.00 (135,000.00); e) Misc. Income 840.37 (26,341.56); f) Conduct of Quality Improvement Programme Charges 4,204,300.00 (4,770,700.00); g) Thesis Award Programme - Sponsorship 1,000,000.00 (1,000,000.00). VI. Other Receipts: a) One Time Renewal Fee 26,557,500.00 (31,973,000.00); b) FDR's Matured during the Year 432,471,780.00 (166,838,707.00); c) Advances Recovered from Staff 2,480,907.00 (3,116,859.00); d) Other Advances Recovered 1,898,848.00 (770,775.00); e) Interest adjusted against Interest Accrued 3,852,677.53 (3,439,184.37); f) Taxes/Amount/Postage payable 1,368,028.86 (34,312,741.51); g) NATA Fees Advance 14,830,150.00 (0.00); h) Evaluation Fees Advance 53,210,000.00 (56,700,000.00); i) Performance Security 0.00 (729,420.00); k) Security deposits from New Architectural Institutions 7,500,000.00 (25,000,000.00); l) BEE Sponsorship/Administrative Charges 22,000.00 (18,000.00). TOTAL RECEIPTS: 85,81,92,494.27 (Previous Year 77,53,67,628.50) PAYMENTS: I. Expenses: a) Establishment Expenses (corresponding to Schedule 11) 24,029,122.00 (20,969,749.00); b) Administrative Expenses (corresponding to Schedule 12) 14,728,926.61 (24,134,776.30); c) Workshops Conduct Charges 2,043,517.00 (38,127.00); d) Thesis/Heritage Award Programme Expenses 1,990,250.00 (2,573,300.00); e) Centre for Excellence-Design Competition and Stone Laying Exps. 2,503,114.00 (0.00); f) Seed Money/Grant for Urban Studio Research Project 475,000.00 (0.00); g) Film on Architectural Awareness Exps. 1,707,500.00 (0.00). II. Payments made against funds for various Projects: a) NATA Expenses 23,271,657.00 (32,222,369.00); b) Evaluation & Inspection Expenses 22,712,185.86 (22,738,645.00); c) Arbitration Expenses 0.00 (81,080.00); d) Publication Expenses 0.00 (1,340,689.00); e) Directory of Architect Exps. 11,921,464.00 (1,334,538.00); f) BEE Program Expenses 242,000.00 (198,000.00); g) Conduct of Quality Improvement Programme Expenses 5,111,081.00 (4,553,734.00). III. Investments and deposits made: a) TDS deducted by the Bank/Companies 11,125,937.00 (10,461,999.00); b) Advances to Staff 0.00 (58,565,000.00); c) Other Advances 56,700,000.00 (62,850,000.00); d) Apportionment of One Time Renewal Fees 16,400,623.00 (6,321,478.00); e) NATA Fee Advance 10,562,724.00 (7,474,729.53); f) Evaluation Fees Advance 830,362.00 (843,984.00); g) Amount receivable/Payable 2,250,980.00 (484,573.00); h) Bank Interest Accrued for the Year 0.00 (0.00); i) Interest Accrued on Staff Advance 0.00 (2,500,000.00); j) Prepaid Expenses for NATA Examination 8,102,904.00 (21,051,374.00); k) Security deposits from Existing Architectural Institutions; l) Security deposits from New Architectural Institutions 590,025,457.00 (464,447,963.00); 7,500,000.00 (0.00). IV. Expenditure on Fixed Assets & Capital Work-in-Progress: a) Purchase of Fixed Assets 17,330.00 (55,400.00). V. Investments and deposits made: a) Out of Earmarked/Endowment funds 248,905.77 (752,622.77); 28,994,880.03 (18,950,954.40); b) Out of Security Deposit Received from Architectural Institution 634,010.00 (12,040.00); 170,882.00 (413,206.50). VI. Closing Balance: a) Cash in hand; b) Bank Balances: 1) In Current/OD accounts; 2) Savings Accounts; 3) Drafts at Hand; 3) Online PG Receipts. TOTAL PAYMENTS: 85,81,92,494.27 (Previous Year 77,53,67,628.50) For and on behalf of COUNCIL OF ARCHITECTURE (REGISTRAR) (PRESIDENT) In terms of our separate report of even date For V. K. VERMA & CO. Chartered Accountants FRN: 000386N (CA R.C. HASIJA) M.N.054809 Place: New Delhi Date: 16.08.2023