BJP member Dushyant Singh says MoS for Transport Pon Radhakrishnan 'does not know his subject'

BJP member Dushyant Singh on Thursday caused an embarrassment for Minister of State for Transport Pon Radhakrishnan in Lok Sabha by contending that he does "not know about his subject".

Singh, son of Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, made the remarks during Question Hour while asking supplementary questions on highways which Radhakrishnan was replying to. To a question, Radhakrishnan said by shifting a project from PPP to EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) mode, a huge amount is required from the central government.

"It is true that many PPP projects were not receiving bids. However, an increasing number of projects are being awarded under EPC model...There are enough resources available with NHAI. They are planning to construct 30,500 kilometres of road under EPC Model in next two years," he said.

At this Singh said he is "saddened by the fact that the Minister does not know about his subject. His bureaucrats have given him papers on that..." He contended that there was "a dichotomy between what the figures are showing and what the minister has stated." As he made these remarks, many members, including those from BJP, were seen giggling.

While making his point, Singh said as on June this year, there were 260 projects involving Rs 60,000 crore which were supposed to be taken up under the PPP model but they were stalled as private players are shying away from PPPs due to high interest rates from the banks and the fact is that the projects are getting shelved.

"At the same time, the (Highways) Ministry is talking about constructing 30 km of roads a day by 2016, a large improvement from the current pace of 3 km a day," he said.