The Hon'ble Union Minister for Finance & Company Affairs will be launching screen based Retail Trading in Government Securities on the Stock Exchanges on January 16, 2003 at New Delhi.

The Bombay Stock Exchange is pleased to announce that Retail Trading in Government Securities will be available on BOLT system (BSE On-Line Trading) in the same manner in which trading takes place in equities through BSE's extensive network covering over 7000 trading terminals across 400 cities.

With a view to encourage wider participation of all classes of investors, including retail investors, across the country in Government Securities, SEBI vide their circular SMD/Policy/GSEC/776/2003 dated January 10, 2003 has notified scheme /guidelines permitting Stock Exchanges to allow trading in Central Government Securities. In accordance with this scheme, the Exchange will permit trading in Retail Debt Segment through members of the Exchange fulfilling the eligibility criteria set out by SEBI.

The Exchange w.e.f January 16, 2003 is also providing facility for Retail Trading in Government Securities through its portal www.bsewebx.com towards its efforts to bring such trading within the direct reach of investors. This system offers several content rich trading and information features for Retail Trading in Government Securities to investors and broker members that include Real Time Yield calculators, Issue & Maturity Dates, Prices, Volume amongst others. With this facility, investors and members located in any part of the country will be in a position to use this facility.

As available in case of the Equities Market, BSE website www.bseindia.com will also cover Retail Government Securities trading - Live Market analysis including Live technical charting on Prices and Yields.

January 15, 2003