Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar expressed helplessness on the inflation front and spiralling fuel prices on Monday and said that it was not possible to provide any immediate relief to the people in the state.

“The state government had provided relief on increasing petrol and diesel prices some months ago. It lacks the resources to do anything on this right now. Earlier, the central government had taken a decision on lowering the high fuel prices and had asked the state governments also to do so,” Nitish said.

“Fuel oil prices are again rising. This is an issue for the entire country. At present the situation is not such that any immediate decision could be taken. The Centre will definitely think over the rising prices, and will convey its decision,” he added.

Nitish was talking to media persons on the sidelines of his ‘janata durbar’ (public interaction). He accepted that rising petrol and diesel prices created issues for the common people and expressed hope that the situation will normalise after some time, but at the same time asserted that it was “not possible to say anything right now”.

Asked about the chances of the misuse of ‘the criminal procedure (identification) bill, 2022’, the chief minister said that the police and administration would ensure that it did not happen.

Supporting the bill, Nitish said, “New technologies are available these days. If anybody commits crime, all information about him should be kept. This will help find out whether somebody is creating some mischief. Amending the laws related to this is the prerogative of the central government, and it will be applicable on the entire country.”

The criminal procedure (identification) bill, 2022, proposes to allow police officials to collect certain identifiable information like fingerprints, footprints, biological samples, behavioural attributes like handwriting and signature from the arrested people and convicts. It has been criticised by various sections of the society over its potential of violating the right to privacy and equality. Besides, empowering the police officials to do so could lead to various extra-judicial acts.

Replying to questions on the cleanliness and safety of the Ganga water, Nitish said: “Impurities have come into the Ganga water due to dirty water falling in the river everywhere. We are trying to ensure that this stops and it becomes pure again.”

Nitish pointed out that the state government was working on a project to divert water from the Ganga during the rainy season to provide drinking water in parched areas like Gaya, Nalanda and Nawada districts.

“If this project is successful, we will replicate it for Patna also. This will cut down the exploitation of groundwater aquifers,” Nitish added.

The chief minister also expressed his determination towards conducting the caste census in the state.