The Centre's recent decision to stop the supply of rice and wheat to certain states has sparked debates and discussions. Here are some objective of the Centre behind this move:

• The Centre aims to encourage the states to procure food grains from the farmers directly and be self-sufficient in their needs.
• By giving preference to the local procurement, the government aims to support small and marginal farmers, who have been hit hard due to the pandemic.
• The government also wants to control the rising food subsidy bill, which runs into thousands of crores of rupees, by rationalizing the distribution system.

However, this move has also impacted the distribution in many states, leading to food insecurity among poor and vulnerable sections. It is a challenge for the states to revamp their storage infrastructure to accommodate the excess quantity of food grains. While the objective is noble, states are urging the Centre to reconsider the decision and maintain a balance between the procurement and distribution system.