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Fuel price hike likely
New Delhi: Petrol and diesel prices may be raised by Rs1-1.50 per litre today, after a meeting between Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Though an increase of over Rs4.50 a litre on petrol and more than Rs5 per litre on diesel was needed in step with the spurt in crude oil prices and increase in tax rates, the government may settle for a moderate increase.

Meanwhile, global crude oil prices rose to the highest in more than two months after the US Energy Department reported a larger-than-expected decline in US inventories.

An OPEC agreement to boost production quotas by 5 lakh barrels a day has failed to stop the gains.
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Monsoon delays Kharif sowing
New Delhi: The delay in onset and advancement of monsoon has begun to impact sowing of Kharif crops with oilseeds, rice, coarse cereals and jute showing a lag, according to the Agriculture Ministry. Only cash crops like cotton and sugarcane have higher acreage compared with last year.

Sowing of oilseeds, as on June 10, has covered only 199,000 hectare, down 51.7% from the year-ago level of 412,000 hectare.

Kharif crops are sown from late-May to early-June and the harvest starts September. Principal Kharif crops are rice, sugarcane, groundnut, cotton and soyabean.

Southwest monsoon has been static since June 8 after hitting India's mainland on June 5. According the IMD, there is little chance of progress of the rain-laden winds before Thursday.
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Govt. bans non-iodised salt from Aug.15
New Delhi: The Government today reinstated the ban on sale of non-iodised salt for human consumption and has asked salt manufacturers to compulsorily fortify salt with iron and iodine.

Speaking to newspersons, Health Minister, Dr A Ramadoss said, "We are giving two months' time to manufacturers. The ban on non-iodised salt will be enforced from August 15."

Dr Ramadoss put to rest fears of a price hike due to the new rule. "It will almost have no impact. There will only be a 10 paise per kilogram hike. The step is not detrimental to small producers, as even crystallised salt could be iodised," he said.

The Minister gave assurance that in the event of a price hike of iodised salt, the Government would take steps to stablise prices.

The Government had been following a salt-iodisation programme for 41 years. But after lifting the ban in 2000, consumption of adequately iodised salt fell from 49 per cent of the population to 37.

Anaemia, caused due to iron deficiency, has emerged a major threat to the health of mothers and children. The Government will, therefore, soon also make fortification of salt with iron compulsory.
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