Fertiliser shares find buyers on new urea investment policy

With the long-awaited new urea investment policy finally coming into place, fertiliser companies have more than one reason to smile, and which is clearly reflected in their share prices. The policy is expected to encourage fresh investments into the sector, leading to capacity expansion. It would also boost the flagging urea production, reducing the country’s dependence on imports.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved a new fertilizer policy which is long term, realistic and farmer friendly," said Shruti Bhargava, analyst at Networth Stock Broking.

The new policy aims at attracting investments in the urea sector by resumption and expansion of existing units to meet the set target of 40 mn of urea by 2012. This includes reviving eight units of Fertilizer Corporation of India and Hindustan Fertilizer Corporation.

At present, India produces 21 mn tonne of urea as against the rising demand of 27-28 mn tonne, which it has been filling through imports.

Under the new norms, the international price-parity formula for domestic urea manufacturers would be adopted for calculation of subsidy and cost of production. Existing units producing additional urea will get an import parity price of 85 per cent in the price band of $250-425 a tonne while that for expanding units it would be 90 per cent.

Analysts expect Tata Chemicals and Chambal Fertilisers to gain the most from the policy as the two have already initiated debottlenecking plans.

"Tata Chemicals’ new additional 0.2 mtpa capacity is coming onstream by October 2008 and Chambal Fertilizers’ new additional 0.14 mtpa capacity will come onstream by April 2009. Post expansion, Tata Chemicals’ capacity would be 1.06 mtpa, up from the current 0.86 mtpa and Chambal Fertilizers’ capacity would be 1.87 mtpa, up from 1.73 mtpa," said Bhargava of Networth.

Shares of fertilizer companies have been in the limelight since Friday after the new policy was announced. On Monday, RCF soared 3.78 per cent to Rs 71.40, Coromandel Fertilizers climbed 2 per cent to Rs 175, Chambal Fertilizers gained 1.47 per cent to Rs 82.75, Tata Chemicals was trading flat at Rs 348 after touching a high of Rs 361.

According to the policy, fertilizer producers will be given subsidy at Rs 8,000 crore per month from September 2008 onwards till February 2009. Till July 2008, the government has paid about Rs 28,000 crore towards fertilizer subsidy. The fertilizer ministry expects the amount to be mostly paid in cash and not more than 10 per cent will be issued as fertilizer bonds. Also, they also expect the subsidy to be borne fully by the government as it is an open-ended one.

The new policy states that the Department of Fertilizers will maintain a buffer stock of 3.5 lakh tonne of diammonium phosphate and 1 lakh tonne of mono ammonium phosphates as contingency. An outlay of Rs 429.85 crore was approved for launching a scheme for promoting the balanced use of fertilizers.

The government has also included two fertilizers-Triple Super Phosphate and Ammonium Sulphate-which will get 25 per cent subsidy on delivered cost under the concession scheme and fixed their maximum retail prices at Rs 7,450 a tonne and Rs 10,350 a tonne, respectively.

Triple Super Phosphate, being a cheaper substitute for diammonium phosphate, will provide access to alternative supply of phosphatic fertilizers, expanding the basket of phosphatic fertilizers.

"With this move, the government expects to save Rs 1,163 crore on its subsidy bill of Rs 95,000 crore, which is positive for all complex fertilizer manufacturing companies like Tata Chemicals, Coromandel Fertilizers, RCF and Zuari Industries," Bhargava added.

The incentive on import savings will be in ratio of 65:35 for the importer, which means if the importer is contracting at a price lower than the industry average, he will be eligible for 65 per cent of the difference between the higher industry average and the lower contracting price. The remaining 35 per cent would go to the government. This will encourage the industry to seek long-term import of fertilizers at lower prices.

Analysts expect the new policy to add 60-70 per cent to margins for large and efficient gas-based urea makers, even as low investments are needed to revamp or expand existing units. Realisations may also go up for cash-starved fertilizer firms.

Seducing the senses

You can touch my hair and kiss me everywhere... Does it sound too clichéd or rather boring way to seduce your partner? Are you tired of reading the same old techniques of seduction?

Well, what about going back to the basics? And nothing can be more basic than the five senses - sense of sight, sense of smell, sense of taste, sense of hearing, sense of touch. These can really keep things sizzling hot during sex. Vatsayan would have definitely vouched for that! We get modern day experts to share more on it...

To keep the flames burning in your sex-life, you must fine-tune your seduction skills. With fingers busy, mouths, lips, tongues, noses, and eyes enticed, sensuousness will linger in every move to make you the most desirable man or woman of seduction.

Rita Gangwani, an etiquette expert, shares, “Sometimes we take the senses so much for granted that we don’t really pay attention to them. Working to develop the five senses and focusing on them while making love, drawing attention to his/her sensuousness will not only enhance your own pleasure, but will give pleasure to your lover as well.”

Dr. Sanjay Chugh, expert on sexual issues, says, “The seduction tips that one can employ also depends on ‘overall’ quality of the couple’s relationship. If there is a healthy emotional and psychological bond between the two, the chances of a good sex life is high. And in case, if one incorporates a few out-of-the-box techniques, then it’s definitely some icing on the cake!”

Psychiatrist Dr. Samir Parikh supports, “Couples need to keep trying to make things work for them but the key is not just trying new things, its more to be attuned to each others likes, fantasies and pleasures so that a mutually satisfying relationship could result. They can try various permutations and combinations of these seduction ways on their personalities.”

On how these five senses work towards stimulating the libido of male/female partner, Dr. Parikh explains, “Most of these factors (senses) have an association in our mind, so they act as a conditioned stimulus, and can help creating the atmosphere. But the key would be the mutuality and the quality of the non-sexual life would have its direct impact on the sexual life.”

Rita adds, “One must be aware to the fact that human body is bristling with sensory receptors - God’s gift to humankind - it’s up to us to responsibly enjoy it. One must give body the permission to celebrate what’s inside; celebrate it with oneself, and with the partner. We must take time to really learn the subtle but very powerful art of seducing the opposite sex using all five senses.”

These are simple yet extremely seductive ways.

India Car Sales Fall for First Time Since 2005 on Loan Rates

India’s passenger car sales declined for the first time in more than two and a half years as higher interest rates and accelerating inflation damped demand at Tata Motors Ltd. and Honda Motor Co.

Sales in July fell 1.7 percent to 87,724 from 89,250 a year earlier, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers said in a statement today. That was the first monthly decline since November, 2005, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

A surge in gasoline prices has helped push inflation to the fastest pace in 13 years, forcing the central bank to raise interest rates to the highest in seven years, squeezing consumers. The slowing growth may risk a government target of tripling car sales to 3 million vehicles annually by 2015.

``Higher interest rates are hurting demand,’’ said Vaishali Jajoo, a Mumbai-based analyst at Angel Broking Ltd. ``Sales will slow down further in the next six months and we may end the year with just single-digit growth.’’

India’s central bank on July 29 raised its benchmark rate for the third time in two months to slow inflation. Consumers now pay more than 12 percent interest on auto loans compared with about 7 percent in 2003. More than half of the vehicles sold in India are bought on credit.

A decline in the stock market, with the benchmark headed for its first annual drop in seven years, is also hurting demand. The 14-member BSE Auto Index has slid 29 percent this year.

Maruti, Hyundai

Seven of the 13 carmakers in India posted declines during the month, according to the statement. Sales at Tata Motors, India’s third-largest carmaker, dropped 8.9 percent to 12,012 while Honda, the fourth-largest fell 7 percent to 4,006.

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd., maker of half the cars in the country, posted a 1.5 percent gain in sales at 45,757, the statement said. Hyundai Motor Co.’s India unit, the country’s second-largest carmaker, boosted sales 0.5 percent to 15,061.

Car sales in India, Asia’s fourth-largest auto market, grew 12 percent in the year ended March 31 to a record 1.2 million vehicles, slower than the 22 percent pace a year earlier, according to the Society, a group of all carmakers in the country.

``High fuel costs, interest rates and rising raw material input costs are challenges,’’ Dilip Chenoy, the director general of the group, told reporters in New Delhi today.

Chaturvedi Panel for sharp increase in petrol prices

Petrol and diesel prices will rise every month while subsidised domestic cooking gas to households will be gradually phased out if recommendations of the high-powered B K Chaturvedi Committee are implemented.

The panel headed by Planning Commission member B K Chaturvedi has asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to raise petrol prices by Rs 2.50 a litre per month till March 2009 and diesel prices by Rs 0.75 per litre till 2010 to eliminate subsidies on the two fuels.

The Committee suggested restricting LPG cylinders sold at subsidised rates to six per connection in a year and phasing it out over a three-year period.

The three-member panel, that was asked by the Prime Minister to go into the financial position of oil firms, also suggested levying a ’Metro Extra’ tax of Rs 2 per litre on diesel, in four instalments in large cities, as the fuel was being used in expensive cars.

The eleven cities where the ’Metro Extra’ tax would be levied are National Capital Territory of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Kanpur, Pune, Surat and Agra.

It also suggested temporary reduction in excise duty on petrol by Rs 10 a litre from Rs 13.75.

While suggesting a Special Oil Tax on crude produced from fields awarded prior to the advent of the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) in 1999, the panel disfavoured any Super Profit or Windfall Profit Tax on private refiners like Reliance Industries.

"It is appropriate in our view that the Indian refining industry, which has world-sized companies, be placed on par with the international refining business," the report said.

Mind set: Ultimate meditation

Peace can sometimes be so far away and inner bliss, even farther away. To attain peace, spend some real quality time by going within and you will find the sense of peace that lies within. Visit the place where inner bliss dwells and waits patiently for your return.

Let yourself unwind and compose yourself for a few precious moments of peace. Remember that your mind is much more far-reaching than your physical brain. Your mind, as consciousness, is non-physical, while your brain is just the physical translator of your consciousness. Your mind, therefore, always has the ability to tell your brain: “Shsh! It’s meditation time!”

Focus your mind away from the clutter of day-to-day living and turn your attention inwards to the peaceful core of your inner being. Then think of the deepest possible state of consciousness. And what could that state be? It is the state of consciousness known as infinite being. The word infinite reflects the idea of ultimate, while the word being refers to a state of awareness, rather than a doing activity. Infinite being is infinite consciousness without a focus upon any specific activity. Infinite being doesn’t have to do anything, it already is everything.

It is important to appreciate that the state of infinite being is not ‘out there’ somewhere external to us. Infinite being encompasses all consciousness, including all manifestation. We are that consciousness, as is everything else in existence. In meditation practices, affirmations are often used to focus the mind. By simply repeating the words “I am”, you affirm your true nature as consciousness. In the case of infinite being meditation, we affirm our innermost identity as the ultimate, infinite consciousness.

The affirmation ‘I am infinite being’ is the most powerful affirmation possible within the English language. The phrase ‘I am infinite being’ is an affirmation of your oneness with the ultimate potential, the source of all life, the consciousness from which all life sprang. You are one with that universal consciousness. Everything in manifestation is one with that universal consciousness. Now is the time to consciously affirm your ultimate potential. It may take courage to begin with, but the results are more than worth the effort.

If you find issues arising, such as a feeling of unworthiness in your alignment with the all that is, with infinite being, just let those thoughts go, then gently bring your mind back into focus upon the affirmation. You do not have to justify the words, or settle any internal argument about them, just because of some prior conditioning as to how someone said you ‘should’ think in this life. Think independently, think infinitely, and you will connect with the consciousness of your ultimate potential

Have the inner discipline to stay with the affirmation and let any issues fade away unchallenged. Your inner self knows the meaning of the words and resonates in joy with their exact and literal truth. Every time you make this affirmation, you become more connected with infinite being. Any lesser thoughts are then healed within the light of greater truth. Find a quiet space to sit down for a few minutes, close your eyes, and start looking for the quiet space within. To keep your brain occupied with the task at hand, focus your attention on the even flow of your breath as it passes in and out of your nostrils.

As you breathe each in-breath, mentally repeat the affirmation ‘I am infinite being’. On the out-breath, simply allow your attention to follow the flow of air from your nostrils. To induce an immediate calming effect, allow each out-breath to take longer than each in-breath .

Life energy, also known as etheric energy, is conditioned primarily within the human spinal column. From there, it is distributed to the rest of the body via the subtle nervous system. Most key functions in the human body owe their operation primarily to the supply of etheric life energy, rather than to the supply of electrical energy. Etheric energy, like consciousness, is nonphysical and yet it is behind all life.

To help enhance the natural flow of life energy within your spine while performing this meditation, it is preferable to sit upright in an erect chair. As you progress with this meditation, the natural flow of life energy within your spine will become enhanced, bringing an enlivened awareness to your consciousness.

When distracting thoughts arise — which they will — treat them with patience and understanding. Put each distracting thought aside so that you can continue with the infinite being meditation. If a thought seems important or urgent, then it will be sure to return later, after your meditation session has finished.

There are a number of ways to enhance your meditation experience. One is to reserve a small space, such as the corner of a quiet room, where only meditation is conducted. That space then becomes more conducive to a meditation environment. A small table or surface can be covered with items that you connect with spiritual practice. Candles and incense are especially useful as they provide some initial focus for the senses.

It also helps to always use the same chair, one that is constructed of a nonmetallic material. Metal chairs attract etheric life energy away from you, which is great for the chair, but not so good for the meditation session. A small clock completes your setting, and clean, light clothing, reserved especially for meditation, further enhances the atmosphere. A shower or bath before meditation is very valuable, as water is a powerful cleanser. If, for example, you have just come home from a hectic day at work, then your energy body will be filled with the distractions of the day, stored in etheric energy form.

The water not only cleanses you of physical impurities, but also the etheric energy impurities that do not belong in your energy body. The reason that water is such an effective energy cleanser lies in its chemical composition. Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen. The greater role of oxygen is to carry lifegiving, etheric energy.

The best investment of your time each day is to spend 20 minutes in meditation. Make the time for this to happen. Make it the day’s first priority. The easiest habit to adopt is one which makes up the first activity of the day. Making it a routine will also reinforce the effects of the meditation.

(Writer has authored ‘The Shift: The Revolution in Human Consciousness’)

Google resolves Gmail access problems

Google Inc said on Monday it has resolved an issue with its contacts system that caused many users of its Gmail service to have trouble accessing their online e-mail.

The problems began at about 2100 GMT, or 1400 PST, and an announcement on the company’s Gmail "Help Center" site said the the issue is now resolved.

Google said an outage in the contacts system used by Gmail prevented the e-mail system from loading properly. The company also said that there may be minor delays in deliveries even though all mail is safe.

Users across the United States, Canada and India reported problems with Gmail and a Google employee also reported that the company’s own corporate e-mail account was down.

Singles as healthy as those married

Single persons are becoming almost as healthy as their married counterparts, according to a new study. ui Liu of Michigan State University and lead researcher of the study said sociologists since the 1970s have emphasised that marriage benefits health, more so for men than for women.

"Married people are still healthier than unmarried people," Liu said, "but the gap between the married and never-married is closing, especially for men".

Researchers analysed National Health Interview Survey data from a 30-year period from 1972 to 2002 and found that while the self-reported health of married people is still better than that of the never-married, the gap has closed considerably.

The trend is due almost exclusively to a marked improvement in the self-reported health of never-married men. Liu said that may be partly because never-married men have greater access to social resources and support that historically were found in a spouse.

Further, the research shows that the health status of the never-married has improved for all race and gender groups examined: men, women, blacks and whites. The health of married women also improved, while the health of married men remained stable.

"Politicians and scholars continue to debate the value of marriage for Americans," the researchers wrote, "with some going so far as to establish social programs and policies to encourage marriage among those social groups less inclined to marry, particularly the poor and minorities".

But the research findings "highlight the complexity of this issue" and suggest that "encouraging marriage in order to promote health may be misguided".

In contrast, the self-reported health for the widowed, divorced and separated worsened from 1972 to 2003 relative to their married peers. This held true for both men and women, although the widening gaps between the married and the previously married groups are more pronounced for women than for men.

The findings of Liu and fellow researcher Debra Umberson of the University of Texas will appear in the September issue of the Journal of Health and Social Behaviour .