Dhaka, May 21 -- Ruhin Hossain Prince, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), on Thursday strongly criticized the proposals to increase electricity prices, saying that the move is akin to picking the pockets of low-income people.

He made the remarks while speaking at a public hearing on proposals on bulk, transmission, and retail electricity tariffs, held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) in the capital.

Criticizing a proposal that sets a uniform bill for users consuming 0 to 75 units of electricity, the CPB leader asked, "Since this proposal has been made, I would like to ask how many consumers from the 0-50 unit bracket have upgraded to the 75-unit bracket? That would provide an index showing ...