Mumbai, Jul 24 (IANS): A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 272.44 points or 1.34 percent down, during the pre-noon trade Tuesday as banking stocks tank following Reserve Bank of India's measures to curb liquidity.

Selling pressure ws seen in baking index (bankex), capital goods, metal, public sector undertakings (PSU) and auto sectors; while technology, media and entertainment (TECK) and IT sectors showed some positive movements.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 20,200.20 points, was trading at 20,029.69 points in the pre-noon session, down 272.44 points or 1.34 percent from previous day's close at 20,302.13 points.

The Sensex touched a high of 20,252.70 points and a low of 20,001.24 points in the trade so far.

The S&P BSE TECK index inched up by 22.50 points and the IT index moved up by 37.50 points. The bankex tanked by 574.36 points, the capital goods index plunged by 237.13 points, the metal index plummeted by 196.66 points, the PSU index dipped by 116.56 points and auto index dropped by 177.10 points.

The wider 50-scrip Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) was also trading 106.95 points or 1.76 percent down at 5970.85 points.