India, May 29 -- LIC is looking to improve returns from real estate properties, and the insurer would also explore the option of a separate subsidiary to achieve greater efficiency in managing its vast assets, which are conservatively estimated at over Rs 60,000 crore.

"We have substantial real estate, both inherited and purchased over the period of 70 years that we have been operating. It is used both for our own use and as an investment which earns returns for us.

"We look at each piece of real estate as an investment. As part of the asset, we expect each property to contribute towards the returns for the policyholders as well as shareholders," LIC CEO and MD R Doraiswamy told PTI in an interview.

In the recent past, he said LIC has ...