LUCKNOW, March 25 -- Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday announced a threefold hike in cash awards under the state's prestigious Laxman and Rani Laxmi Bai Awards, raising them to Rs.10 lakh from next year.

He said he would ask the sports department to send a proposal at the earliest so the revised scheme could be implemented in time. At present, the awards carry a cash prize of Rs.3.11 lakh.

"I take this opportunity to announce that the state government will raise the cash awards with state awards to Rs.10 lakh from next year, and will ask the authorities concerned to bring a proposal to this effect so that the scheme can be implemented in time," the chief minister said while distributing the Laxman and Rani Laxmi Bai awards to ni...