Opposition Demands Special Parliament Session on Price Rise

The main opposition coalition has formally written to the Lok Sabha Speaker demanding an emergency special session of Parliament to discuss the rising cost of essential commodities affecting millions of households across the country.Party leaders held a press conference in New Delhi pointing to data showing that prices of cooking oil, vegetables and cereals have risen between 18 and 32 percent over the past year, squeezing household budgets particularly in urban lower-middle-class areas.Government ResponseThe Finance Ministry responded by citing global commodity price pressures and pointing to steps taken including import duty reductions on certain edible oils and direct benefit transfers to vulnerable families.Political analysts say the debate is likely to intensify as state assembly elections approach in three major states later this year.