Mumbai: The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) has decided to admit fresh members to the stock exchange.

According to BSE officials, the exchange plans to issue 27 corporate memberships at Rs 65 lakh each. Already three companies have approached for membership. The exchange is expected to make an official announcement shortly. The move to issue fresh membership is part of its corporatisation and demutulalisation drive.

BSE members have already approved the proposal to move to the deposit-based system where after the demutualisation each member will have Rs 65 lakh as deposit and also get 10,000 shares of the BSE Ltd, the company to be named after corporatisation. This proposal is subject to government approval, BSE officials were quoted as saying.

Officials at the exchange said the new members will have the same benefits as those enjoyed by the existing members.