LUCKNOW, July 14 -- The higher education department has reached a consensus on selecting the top five women students from every state university and government-aided degree college for the Rani Laxmi Bai Scooty Scheme. This establishes the eligibility criteria to distribute free, petrol-driven two-wheelers to an estimated 60,000 meritorious students who scored 80% or above in their first year of undergraduate studies in any state university or affiliated degree college.

Confirming the development, higher education minister Yogendra Upadhyay stated that the proposal was thoroughly discussed with chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who has agreed in principle to distribute scooties to the top five women students at each state institution.

"If...