"It is unfortunate that policy makers of this country have not been able to create skilled manpower. I do not want to name Nehruji, but due to his faulty policy, the country has only 2.5 per cent of its population as skilled hands, while 96 per cent people are skilled in developed nations," he told reporters at the sidelines of a function here.
"As all of you know it is the education policy that shapes the future of a nation. His (Nehru's) policies were faulty," he said, adding the method only educated people but failed to make them skilled and employable.
"This is the biggest problem today because India adds the population of Australia every year. Therefore, we need to create skilled manpower in order to make them employable," he said and asked the people to have faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"Modiji will take forward both Odisha and India," Singh said.
The Odisha Congress state unit was quick to criticise the minister's remarks.
"The Union Minister has no knowledge about the first prime minister of the country. This is BJP's petty politics," said Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra.