Sensex up 23pts; NTPC, Rel Comm surge

The Sensex is now up 23 points at 16,869.

NTPC and Reliance Communications have surged 1.5% each to Rs 199 and Rs 607, respectively.

HDFC Bank, Reliance Energy, ICICI Bank and HDFC are up around 1% each at Rs 1,361, Rs 1,105, Rs 1,005 and Rs 2,403, respectively.