Mumbai (PTI): Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Friday amid profit-taking after almost a week-long rally and fresh foreign fund outflows.
The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped 153.18 points to 84,403.22 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty dipped 51.1 points to 25,840.30.
Both the benchmark indices hit their 52-week highs on Thursday.
From the Sensex firms, Hindustan Unilever, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Axis Bank, Power Grid, Eternal and Adani Ports were among the major laggards.
However, Bharat Electronics, ICICI Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Steel were among the gainers.
In Asian markets, South Korea's Kospi, Japan's Nikkei 225 index, Shanghai's SSE Composite index and Hong Kong's Hang Seng traded higher.
US markets ended in positive territory on Thursday.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 1,165.94 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data. Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) however, were buyers as they bought equities worth Rs 3,893.73 crore in the previous trade.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude dipped 0.47 per cent to USD 65.68 a barrel.
Rising for the sixth straight session on Thursday, the Sensex climbed 130.06 points or 0.15 per cent to settle at 84,556.40. The Nifty ended 22.80 points or 0.09 per cent higher at 25,891.40.
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Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
