RUPEE 2 LAST

Global crude oil prices were trading below USD 79 a
barrel in London Wednesday.
Meanwhile, India's Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee
Wednesday presented Budget living up to popular expectations
by not raising fares and freight rates.
The Reserve Bank of India fixed the reference rate for
the dollar at Rs 46.25 and for the euro at Rs 62.63.
In cross currency trade, the domestic currency fell back
against the pound and also moved down against the yen while it
improved further against the euro.
The rupee declined against the pound to end at Rs
71.52/54 per pound from Tuesday's close of Rs 71.23/25 and
dropped further against the yen to Rs 51.47/49 per 100 yen
from Rs 50.82/84 previously.
It, however, edged up against the euro to Rs 62.72/74 per
euro from its last close of Rs 62.75/77.
The rupee premium for the forward dollar ended slightly
better on fresh paying pressure from banks and corporates.
The benchmark six-month forward dollar premium payable in
July ended a tad higher at 50-1/2-52 paise from 49-50-1/2
paise on Tuesday and far-forward maturing in January also
finished better at 108-110 paise from 106-108 paise
previously. PTI