The World Bank will release USD189 million to implement the second phase of a poverty reduction project in India’s Rajasthan state. The new phase will increase the project’s coverage from seven to 18 districts across the state. It seeks to improve the socio-economic condition of the rural poor through self-employment generation, infrastructure development and credit and marketing facilities, among others. (“World Bank nod for second phase of DPIP” - Hindu, Aug. 31, 2008)