New Delhi, Oct. 21: The rate of rise in food prices eased nearly a percentage point to 15.53 per cent as on October 9, prompting the Planning Commission to forecast a single-digit food inflation by December. Plan panel deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said food inflation was still high and attributed it to the growing affluence in rural areas and resultant higher consumption.

SKS meet

Hyderabad, Oct. 21: The board meeting of SKS Microfinance may witness a stormy session tomorrow where ousted managing director and CEO Suresh Gurumani is expected to raise questions on his ouster and recent developments in Andhra Pradesh.

Vodafone

Mumbai, Oct. 21: Vodafone Essar will spend around $500 million on networks to roll out 3G services, which it plans to commercially launch by March. The firm today soft launched its 3G services here.

NCDEX plan

Calcutta, Oct. 21: National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) will engage Jaypee Capital Services as an anchor investor, a top official said.

Stocks surge

Mumbai, Oct. 21: The sensex today snapped two days of decline and zoomed 388 points to regain the 20000 level on robust corporate earnings and sustained inflows by foreign funds.