File photo of Union Minister Kapil Sibal.
Congress leader and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal said today that Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia had sought changes in the institution and also moved a paper to reform it during UPA's rule.
The former Law Minister was reacting to comments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his Independence Day speech.
"In a short span of time, we will initiate a new institution that will work in place of the Planning Commission," Mr Modi had said.
During an interview to a TV news channel, Mr Sibal said, "I think he (PM Modi) is a master of sound bytes, but whether he is master of substance or not, I am not too sure about it... As far as sound bytes go, I am impressed, but there is no substance in any of this".
The former Law Minister termed Mr Modi's address as "yet another election speech" and said the Prime Minister's words must match his deeds.
"He connects with people on these issues but what is happening on the ground is entirely different," Mr Sibal said, adding that the reaction of PM Modi to the violence in parts of Uttar Pradesh would be his "test".
On being asked why Mr Ahluwalia's paper never made news, Mr Sibal said then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh "would work silently".
Responding to a question on PM Modi's statements on manufacturing, he said even former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had talked about the need for growth in the manufacturing sector as 20 per cent of GDP comes from that sector.
He also said Mr Modi's plan of 'Made in India' is not very clear from his speech.
Mr Sibal said Prime Minister Modi's idea -- about separate toilets for girls in schools -- is part of the Right of Education Act introduced by the UPA government. It is up to the Centre to ensure that funds are available for such a scheme, he said.
In a word of praise for PM Modi, Mr Sibal said it is good that he flagged the issue of rapes and sanitation as it is necessary for responsible politicians to flag these matters in public.