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Rural development ministry has revised wages under the rural employment guarantee scheme, to be effective from Wednesday. The average hike of Rs 20 in the wages of rural workers is part of the Rs 1.7 lakh crore fiscal package announced recently to mitigate the economic crisis arising out of the outbreak of COVID-19."Mahatma Gandhi NREGS wages have been revised by department of rural development, with effect from 1st April, 2020. The average national increase is Rs 20," rural development ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.According to the statement, focus of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS may be on individual beneficiary-oriented works which directly benefit SC ST and women headed households as well as small & marginal farmers and other poor households."However, close consultation and guidance of the state as well as district authorities would be necessary to ensure that lock down conditions are not violated and norms of social distancing are scrupulously followed," it said.Ministry of Rural Development, which is according top priority to liquidate the wage and material arrears, said it has released Rs. 4,431 crore in this week to various States/UTs to liquidate these liabilities of current fiscal year and the remaining such liabilities.Further, the first tranche for the year 2020-21 will be released before April 15, 2020, it said.