Dividends (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2010
Dividends [Abstract]
Total dividends per share for the period	$ 1.390	$ 1.374	$ 1.359
Cash dividend	$ (266,178)	$ (256,811)	$ (249,556)

Equity impact of common stock cash dividends declared by an entity during the period. This element includes paid and unpaid dividends declared during the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Article 3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 505

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.3-04)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6959260&loc=d3e187085-122770

Name:	us-gaap_DividendsCommonStockCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration