Mumbai, June 25 - A benchmark index of Indian equities markets was trading 0.65 percent higher in the afternoon session Monday ahead of the announcement of measures to improve the market conditions.

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee had Saturday said he was concerned over signs of weakness in the Indian economy, adding that the central government would soon unveil measures to improve market conditions.

The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened at 17,038.77 points, was trading at 17,083.12 points in the afternoon session, up 0.65 percent or 110.61 points from its previous close at 16,972.51 points.

The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange was trading 0.63 percent higher at 5,178.30 points.

The bullish market sentiment was lifted further as the rating agency Moody's maintained stable outlook on India's sovereign rating.

The BSE consumer durable index was up 76.43 points, the realty index was up 18.10 points and the banking index was up 123.41 points.

Major Sensex gainers were Maruti Suzuki, up 2.32 percent at Rs. 1,126.95; Gail India, up 2.10 percent at Rs. 348; Coal India, up 1.72 percent at Rs. 343.40; Tata Power, up 1.54 percent at Rs. 95.85 and ICICI Bank, up 1.51 percent at Rs. 864.90.

The only four Sensex losers were Hindalco Inds, down 0.81 percent at Rs. 116.30; ONGC, down 0.57 percent at Rs. 277.80; TCS, down 0.22 percent at Rs. 1,231; Infosys, down 0.01 percent at Rs. 2,474.95. (IANS)