Building Code that has been given the go-by, Pg9

Key Highlights:

• Union Industry Minister T. A. Pai criticized financial institutions and government bodies for not adopting the National Building Code.
• He highlighted that non-adherence to the NBC led to increased construction costs and irrelevant conditions.
• The Planning Commission was actively promoting the acceptance of the National Building Code by State Governments.
• The National Building Code was first published in 1970 by the Bureau of Indian Standards (then Indian Standards Institution).

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Detailed Insights:

• The National Building Code of India (NBC) is a comprehensive document providing guidelines for building construction, ensuring safety, quality, and sustainability.
• T. A. Pai, then Union Industry Minister, served in the Ministry of Industry and Civil Supplies from 1974.
• He specifically criticized financial institutions like the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) for imposing their own "irrelevant" codes, which added to building expenses.
• Pai also pointed out the reluctance of the Public Works Department (PWD) and municipal corporations to adopt the NBC.
• The Planning Commission, established in 1950, played a crucial role in formulating India's Five-Year Plans and directed the first publication of the NBC in 1970.
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), formerly the Indian Standards Institution (ISI), is the national body responsible for developing and publishing the NBC.
• While the NBC is recommendatory, states and local bodies are encouraged to incorporate its provisions into their building bylaws to ensure compliance.

Key Concepts Involved:

• National Building Code (NBC): A comprehensive set of guidelines for building construction in India, ensuring safety, quality, and sustainability.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): India's national standards body, responsible for developing and publishing standards, including the National Building Code.
• Planning Commission: An institution in the Government of India (now replaced by NITI Aayog) that formulated Five-Year Plans and directed the initial publication of the NBC.