New Delhi, Aug 20: India today signed a legal agreement with the World Bank to improve opportunities for the poor and vulnerable, especially women and tribals, to meet their own social and economic development objectives in Chhattisgarh. The 'Chhattisgarh district rural poverty project' envisages creation of infrastructure and income opportunities for the rural poor, empowering active groups of disadvantaged people and supporting village governments in becoming more responsive and effective in assisting the poor, official sources said.

The project, expected to be implemented by March 2009, will cover all the 16 districts of Chhattisgarh and over 1.5 million families are expected to benefit. Under the agreement 112.56 million US dollars will be provided as IDA credit and 16.79 million US dollars will be contributed by the beneficiary government.

Bureau Report