The BSE benchmark index Sensex rose by over 106 points in early trade today on sustained buying by funds and retail investors amid a firming trend in Asian markets.

The rupee appreciated by 17 paise to 49.10 against the dollar on the Interbank Foreign Exchange market in early trade today on increased foreign fund inflows amid firm equity markets.

Adopting a bullish stance on India, overseas investors have pumped in about Rs 14,000 crore in the Indian equity market so far this month and the experts expect this positive trend to continue further.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the agriculture sector is likely to achieve about 3.5 per cent annual growth in the 11th Five-Year Plan, but stressed on scaling it up to 4 per cent or more in the next Plan (2012-17).

'Aakash', the world's cheapest tablet, will be fully indigenous soon and its improved version will be launched by the government at the same price.

More than a fortnight after the Supreme Court quashed 122 mobile telphone licences, Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal said foreign investors have not lost confidence in the sector and will participate in the auction of the airwaves freed by the court judgement.