This is the first time that the board has initiated action against architects hired by it on such a large scale. The board pays these architects a fee of six per cent of the total repair and reconstruction cost of a building.

Of the 80 architects, over 12 have been black-listed, while three have been let off with a warning. An order to this effect was passed by the board's chief Madhu Chavan a couple of days ago.

Chavan said the board had been monitoring the work of these architects since April this year. Subsequently a list of architects against whom a large number of complaints were received was prepared. The complaints were lodged by either the public or the engineers, who frequently come in contact withthem.

Board officers said for the first time the work of the architects was being monitored so closely and prompt action was being taken against them. ``These architects do not complete the given work in time and also do not maintain the specified quality...this gives an impression to the public that the board has not done quality work,'' explained an officer.

``Also, as this is a government body, architects have an impression that their lapses would not attract any action, as is the case usually in government agencies,'' added another.

Even minor mistakes on the part of the architects such as failing to be present to rectify the change in the budget of the civil work after fixing an appointment with board officials have taken note of.

In one such case, the board has punished the architect by terminating his present contract which includes repair to a building situated at Ibrahim Rahimtullah Road ahead of Mohammad Ali Road. Also, his applications for other contracts will not be entertained.

Majorityof the punishments are of this nature and the board will now have to hunt for new architects to complete the work. But this the officials feel is not difficult. ``At least with such actions we will be able to keep architects away who compromise with work,'' said Chavan.

Two of them A R Khadilkar and Anil Gatani have been issued show-cause notices.