Kamal Nath calls Planning Commission an 'armchair advisor'

New Delhi, July 5 (ANI): Courting controversy Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Kamal Nath on Monday termed the Planning Commission as an 'armchair advisor' speaking as the chief guest at a conference on public-private-partnership in state highways, organized by the Planning Commission of India.

Nath questioned the quality of reports produced by the panel and said that the commission is oblivious to the ground realities.

He underlined the need for a consensus on construction of roads in the country.

"Roads cannot be cross roads, whether in Kerela, Rajasthan or Assam. So everybody must find a consensus in it," said Nath.

Meanwhile, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia talking to the media after the conference said the commission is only a planning body and implementation of plans is not its job.

"The planning commission is supposed to produce papers and analytical pieces and procedures. Other ministries are supposed to implement them. We are not the implementing body," said Ahluwalia.

The Planning Commission had earlier this year said the ministry was being over-ambitious in its target for building 20 kilometers of roads every day and advised it to be realistic in its approach. (ANI)