What is price ceiling?
-A maximum price set artificially by the government of firms so that goods are bought and sold at that price level which is below the market equilibrium price level.
[Insert Graph]
-When the price is set at PC, there is a fall in quantity supplied from Q0 to Q1 and an increase in quantity demanded from Q0 to Q2, creating an excess demand condition. The government will have to replenish the shortage from the buffer stock, failing to do so, it will have to conduct rationing to solve the disequilibrium condition. The rationing will be done through several system of distribution like the first-come-first serve, social aims or meritocratic system
-Black market condition will evolve for the quantity set at PC which will contribute a rise in the price from PC to PBM if the quantity supplied at Q1 can be re-sold
-Consumer surplus can only be attained for those who can buy the goods at the price level at PC but consumers will have to buy at PBM, there will be a loss of consumer surplus for these consumers