Surveying and Information Technology at the Dawn of the Millenium

Surveying and Information Technology at the Dawn of the Millenium

A report on an international seminar organised by the Instituion of surveyors to commemorate the completion of fifty years of the Institution.

The Institution of surveyors organised an international seminar on Surveying and Information Technology at the Dawn of the Millennium to commemorate the historic occasion of the completion of 50 years of the institution on May 22, 2000. The Golden Jubilee year celebration took place in Delhi on May 22-23, 2000 at the Nehru Memorial Museum Library, Teen Murti House. An international seminar on 'Surveying and Information Technology at the Dawn of the Millennium was added to this historic event. The aim of this function was to highlight the achievements of the Institution in each of the six disciplines (Land Surveying, Hydrographic Surveying, Cadastral Surveying, Mine Surveying, Building & Quantity Surveying, Valuation Surveying) during the last 50 years and advancement in technology in the emerging era of Information Technology related to the surveying profession and what would be its impact in the new millennium.

The function was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Minister of State for Science and Technology Shri Bachi Singh Rawat followed by a keynote address by eminent dignitaries Lt.Gen. A. K. Ahuja, Surveyor General of India on land surveying, Dr. D. N. Banerjee, former Chairman Central Valuation Board & former secretary Urban development West Bengal on valuation Surveying and Shri K. S. kharb, Chairman organising Committee, President , Commonwealth Association of Surveying and Land Economy (CASLE) (Asia Region), past president of the Institution of surveyor on building and quantity surveying. The Hon'ble minister also released a souvenir containing the technical papers and inventory of exhibitors, sponsors/co-sponsors and advertisements of leading companies related to surveying & mapping instruments products, softwares, space technology, printing etc. He also inaugurated the exhibition set up by leading companies involved in Surveying and Information Technology equipments, software and related products.

One of the major issues regarding Chartered Surveyors Bills was touched upon by the Hon'ble Minister of state in his inaugural address. On the lines of Charted Accountants/Architects there is no legislation to regulate the process of surveying. It is a very vital issue for the Institution . The institution has initiated a bill called surveyors bill through the Ministry of Science & Technology. This bill is to regulate the working of the surveyors as professionals and check the unqualified surveyors in the market. Hon'ble Minister of State for Science & Technology in his inaugural address assured that positive steps will be taken to get the bill put up in the Parliament.

During the two days technical deliberations, subjects like Geomatics in Planning for sustainable Development, Information Technology in quantities and contract management, Risk management in Engineering contract, Critical analysis of Arbitration and conciliation Act 1996, Information Technology in Cadastral Surveying, Achievement and contribution of Hydrographic Surveying in National Development and changingtrends in Mine Surveying Technology; GIS/GPS for Infrastructure Development, trends in valuation surveying, Economy in construction, Role of quantity Surveyors, role of spatial data in Information Technology were covered in14 parallel Technical Sessions at 3 different venues. In addition to this, there were separate Exhibitors presentation session and finally a valedictory function. Each session was chaired and co-chaired by the eminent professionals of related fields.

The exhibitors from BIRLA International, CSDMS, Elcome technologies Pvt. Ltd. My house, NATMO, NRSA, Riding Consulting Engineers, Rolta India Ltd. and Survey of India were given an opportunity in a special Exhibitors' Session to highlight about their services and products available. The session was very informative and colourful.

To end the golden jubilee year celebration and the seminar, there was a valedictory function. The chief guest Shri. N. Vittal, Chief Vigilance Commissioner, Government of India delivered a warm and very valuable valedictory address. He gave very important suggestions to the professionals of each discipline for providing better and transparent services to the society.

Shri K.S. Kharb, Chairman organising committee gave an overview of the seminar deliberations. The recommendations of the Seminar are currently under review of the council of the Institution. The details of the same shall be published in the next issue of the Indian Surveyors.

Recommendations

Survey of India should set up an exhaustive website so that the Public in general and surveyors in particular can obtain the required information regarding status of surveying and Mapping in India and also clarify their doubts regarding availability of maps, data and various technical details.
National Expert committee should be set up for modernisation/restructuring of cadastral Mapping organisations, change of role of Survey of India in this regard including passing of suitable legislation.
Urgent need is felt to come up with a suitable map projection for expressing the data in linear measure similar to the state plane co-ordinate system used in USA for various states in India so that data sets from various sources can be generated on a common grid.
There is an urgent need for a clear government policy for making digital map data available to public keeping in view of security concerns.
(i) The seminar recommends that the institution of surveyors should submit comprehensive draft bill to the government to regulate the practice of the surveying profession in this country in the following fields; (a) Land Surveying (b) Cadastral Surveying (c) Mine Surveying (d) Hydrographic Surveying (e) Building and Quantity Surveying, (f) Valuation Surveying. (ii) Seminar recommends to government to prepare the bill on the basis of the above draft for the purpose of piloting it for passing by the Parliament as ahs been done to regulate the profession and practice of Architects and Chartered Accountants.
The seminar recommends that recommendations of the Planning Commission for introducing Quantity Surveying Cadres in all construction Departments of the government to be implemented without further delay.
The seminar recommends that the government may employ only those valuers who are duly qualified for the purpose of Valuation of Assets in the field of disinvestment of public undertakings, loss assessment in insurance, securitisation for bank mortgage, imposition of stamp duty, rating and Allied fields.
The seminar recommends that the government may bring about appropriate amendments to the Act fixing time for appointment of arbitrator by court and for publishing award by arbitration panel. The seminar also recommends that in the event where the entire three arbitrators differ and there is no finality in the award, the court should decide on the basis of the evidence available in the arbitrator's record.
The seminar recommends that to overcome the shortage of qualified quantity surveyors, under graduate and post-graduate courses be introduced by universities and technical institution under the advice of the institution of Surveyors and in conformity with its syllabus.
The seminar recommends that the standard contract form based on fair and equitable conditions be adopted by all government department, public undertaking in private sector.
The seminar recommends that the institution of Surveyors with the assistance of CASLE should provide appropriate software on the basis of latest technology to improve the level of performance of surveyors and also for professional use.