The premium for the forward dollar softened further on

sustained receipts by exporters. The benchmark six-month forward dollar premium payable in July eased to 179-1/2-180-1/2 paise from 180-1/2-181-1/2 paise yesterday. Far-forward contracts maturing in January also finished slightly lower at 340-342 paise from 341-343 paise. The RBI fixed the reference rate for the US dollar at 53.5695 and for euro at 71.7850. The rupee plunged further against the pound sterling to 84.31 from Thursday's close of 83.58 while reacted sharply downwards against the Japanese yen to 57.93 per 100 yen from 56.74. It also recovered against the euro to 71.75 from last close of 72.19.