New Delhi: Apprehending that UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government would not be generously looking into the interests of BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party)-ruled States, former Finance Minister Jaswant Singh today (Dec 11, 2004) asked these States to carry out economic reforms on their own, instead of looking towards the Centre for assistance.

Advising BJP-ruled States to shun populist measures like free power to farmers, he said States should improve delivery of service and invest heavily in health and education sectors.

"After NDA (National Democratic Alliance) announced reforms, the balance of power shifted from Centre to States... States should not look to Centre but carry out reforms on their own... Think big and shun myopic views," Singh, who is also Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, told a conference of BJP-ruled States' Finance Ministers in New Delhi.

He stressed on speedy implementation of economic policies and said States should utilise their land, power, water and other resources to attain higher growth. "If you don't take the initiative, reforms cannot take place."

In this context, he said the real power lay with the people of the States.

"We cannot be globally competitive only by setting up a factory, providing power and water. States have to increase investment in human resources," he said.

Referring to IT revolution in India, he said, "Before Government could wake up, the entrepreneurs carried out a silent revolution."

He said States should not go for populist measures like free water and power to farmers as they do not have money for initiatives, which could be carried out by the private players. But social sectors like education are within the realm of State Governments and they should invest in them.