New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS): The Planning Commission needs to transform itself by bringing in structural changes as it has lost its relevance in the current economic scenario, Road Transport and Highways Minister Kamal Nath has said, continuing his acrimony with the plan panel.

"There is a big transformation in Indian economy during the last 20 years. We need to bring structural changes in the planning commission to make it relevant," Nath said Tuesday at a book release function.

Comparing the Indian plan panel with the International Monetary Fund, Nath said both the institutions had lost their relevance and become virtually ineffective.

"Until 1980s they had great role to play. Now the situation has changed and they need to transform accordingly," he added.

However, Chairman of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) Nandan Nilekani emphasised that the Planning Commission has the potential to play a very significant role in growth and development of the country.

UIDAI, which is an arm of the Planning Commission, aims at issuing a unique identity number to each resident of the country.

Last month, Kamal Nath had publicly criticised the Planning Commission, terming it as an "armchair advisor".

The acrimony between road transport ministry and the Planning Commistion started last month over the targets for construction of highways. Kamal Nath has set a target to build 20 km of highways every day. The Planning Commission has termed it over ambitious and advised Nath to be realistic in his approach.

Nath said his ministry would stick to the target of building 20 km of highways everyday. "We will certainly achieve that target. There is no question of lowering it down," he added.