Paring its gains, the 30-share BSE Sensex slipped 21.86 points, or 0.03 per cent, to settle at 74,314.59.  The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 53 points, or 0.23 per cent, at 23,270.60

At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 95.88 and lost further ground to trade at 96.10 against the US dollar in early deals, down 19 paise from its previous close, breaching the crucial 96 level for the first time since July 24