In a major initiative to boost female participation in higher education and reduce dropout rates, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to provide free scooties to meritorious female students of the state. The Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath approved the guidelines for the implementation of the Rani Lakshmibai Scooty Yojana.

 

Akashvani’s correspondent reports that, providing the details of the ambitious scheme, the Higher Education Minister of State Yogendra Upadhyay stated that eligible female students will be selected based on merit from the list comprising the top 5 percent of female graduates. Under the scheme, the government will not only provide scooters but also their insurance, registration, helmets, essential accessories, and 4 litres of petrol.

 

The income limit condition will be relaxed for disabled girl students, daughters of martyrs, and daughters from destitute families. The state government states that this scheme will increase the participation of daughters in higher education, particularly by making it easier for female students from rural and remote areas to access colleges and universities.