(Reuters) - The rupee remained firmer in afternoon trade, supported by dollar inflows that helped to offset choppy local shares. Dollar demand from oil importers limited the rise, traders said.
* At 2:16 p.m. (0846 GMT), the partially convertible rupee was at 50.2325/2450, up from Friday's close of 50.32/33, after moving in a 50.1700 to 50.4050 band.
* India's main stock index .BSESN was up 0.02 percent in volatile trade, after opening lower. .BO
* An uptick in dollar demand from oil importers to meet month-end payment requirements checked the rupee's gains. Oil is India's largest import item and oil refiners are the largest buyers of dollars in the local market.
* Dealers expect the rupee to stay in a range in the near-term, after its recent rally, and are awaiting the central bank's policy announcement on Tuesday for further direction.
* The Reserve Bank of India will review its policy on Tuesday and none of the 22 economists polled by Reuters last week expect it to cut rates.
* The rupee strengthened 2.41 percent last week, its biggest weekly rise since the last week of October.
