Some of the main reasons to create a buffer stock

  1. Foodgrains such as wheat and rice, which the government obtains from surplus states through FCI. After that, the food grains are stored in granaries.
  2. It helps the government to distribute in deficient areas and to the poorest members of society at a significantly lower price than the market price by its Public Distribution System.
  3. Food shortages caused by natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and earthquakes can be alleviated with buffer stock.

What is Buffer Stock and its Impact on the Rationing System of India?

 Buffer stock is an arrangement or scheme in which it is stored during good harvest times so that crop values do not fall below the predetermined minimum limit, and then made accessible when the crop is not excellent and prices are anticipated to rise. strategic stock or safety stock or buffer inventory is another name for the buffer stock. It is utilized for Targeted Public Distribution System distribution as well as dealing with drought, crop failure, and other related emergencies.  

The Food Corporation of India was founded in 1965 with the goal of ensuring equitable distribution of food grains and price stability across the country. The corporation procures food grains for the government in order to meet its goals and maintains a food grain buffer stock. The Public Distribution System makes this food grain available for purchase at reasonable prices in fair pricing shops. On January 16, 2015, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) authorized changes to the Buffer Standard Rules for food grains in the Central Pool. 

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Some of the main reasons to create a buffer stock:

Foodgrains such as wheat and rice, which the government obtains from surplus states through FCI. After that, the food grains are stored in granaries. It helps the government to distribute in deficient areas and to the poorest members of society at a significantly lower price than the market price by its Public Distribution System. Food shortages caused by natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and earthquakes can be alleviated with buffer stock....

Impact on the rationing system in India:

Rationing was first used in India in the 1940s, in the aftermath of the Bengal famine. Prior to the Green Revolution, during the 1960s, when there was a severe food crisis, the rationing system was resurrected. There are two types of rationing systems: RPDS and TPDS....

Conclusion:

The buffer stocking of food grains ensures that there are enough food grains on hand to meet operational food grain requirements and exigencies at any moment. Monthly disbursements under the TPDS and other welfare systems are part of the operating requirement, while exigencies include things like a production shortfall, natural disasters, inflation, and so on. The Food Corporation of India is India’s primary organization for food grain purchase, storage, and distribution. While four months’ worth of food grains for TPDS and OWS are designated as operational stocks, any excess is designated as buffer stock, and both buffer and operational stockpiles are physically integrated into one and are indistinguishable. The GOI currently treats extra food stock over the minimum norms as excess stock, which it liquidates regularly through exports, open market sales, or further allocations to states. Every five years, the buffer stock figures are usually evaluated....