May 17, 2004

BOMBAY (Reuters) - Trading on the Bombay indices was suspended for a second time on Monday as shares slumped further on concerns that the new government may stall economic reforms.

The key Bombay index fell 15.52 percent to 4,282.98 points and the broader National exchange index slumped 17.47 percent to 1,306 points before trade was halted. Trading will resume after two hours, exchange officials said.

The automatic suspension of trading is the first since market wide circuit filters were introduced in July 2001.

If the marker falls 20 percent or more, trade will be suspended for the day, officials said.

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