Rupee down by 4 paise against dollar

MUMBAI: The Indian rupee fell marginally by 4 paise to Rs 45.36 a dollar in early trade at Interbank Foreign Exchange on Thursday.

Forex dealers said dollar's gains against other Asian currencies along with demand for the US dollar from importers put pressure on the rupee.

However, higher opening at the stock market limited its losses, they said.

The rupee had fallen by 34 paise to close at two-week low of Rs 45.32/33 against the US dollar in Wednesday's session.

Read more: Rupee down by 4 paise against dollar - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Rupee-down-by-4-paise-against-dollar/articleshow/7227487.cms#ixzz1AEOEy6H7

Sensex up by 125 points in opening trade

MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark Sensex gained 125 points in the opening trade today on fresh buying of heavy-weight stocks, driven by firming trend on the other Asian bourses.

The 30-share index of the Bombay Stock Exchange, which had lost about 260 points in the previous two sessions, recovered by 124.75 points or 0.62 per cent at 20,425.85 level in the opening trade.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also moved up by 36.35 points or 0.60 per cent to 6,116.15 points.

Brokers said fresh buying by funds and retail investors on firming trend in Asian markets, helped the Sensex recovery.

Stocks of metals, healthcare, oil and gas and realty sectors were trading in green.

Meanwhile, Japan's Nikkei Index rose by 0.93 per cent while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index was up 0.05 per cent in the morning trade.

In the US, the Dow Jones Industrial Index ended 0.27 per cent up yesterday.

Read more: Sensex up by 125 points in opening trade - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/Sensex-up-by-125-points-in-opening-trade/articleshow/7227424.cms#ixzz1AEO5tXK2

Air India ups fuel surcharge by up to Rs 200

STAFF WRITER 14:50 HRS IST

Mumbai, Jan 5 (PTI) In line with an up to Rs 200 hike in fuel surcharge on domestic travel by two private carriers, state-run Air India today increased the same across its domestic sectors by a similar amount.

Air India has raised fuel surcharge by Rs 100 for travel up to 750 km and Rs 200 for flights over 750 km, an Air India spokesperson told PTI here.

"The hike was necessitated following the steep spike in aviation fuel prices in the past few months," the spokesperson pointed out.

After the hike, the revised fuel surcharge stands at Rs 2,450 and Rs 3,300, respectively, the spokesperson said, adding the hike comes into force with immediate effect.

Union Environment Ministry team visits Lavasa

STAFF WRITER 15:0 HRS IST

Pune, Jan 5 (PTI) A Union Environment Ministry team today visited the Lavasa lake city near here to determine whether promoters of the project had committed any violation of environmental norms.

A report will be submitted to the Mumbai High court based on the findings of the five-member committee, which will be doing the environment impact assessment of the vast campus of the project, where the construction work has been stayed following objections raised by the ministry.

The team is scheduled to inspect the site for three days from today and is accompanied by Pune district collector Chandrakant Dalvi along with some Maharashtra forest department officials.