On March 16, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das Maharaj chaired an important meeting of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust at Mani Ram Das Chhawni in Ayodhya. The meeting was attended by seven trust members and four invited guests at the temple. After the meeting, Trust General Secretary Champat Rai briefed the media, providing an update on the trust’s finances.
Since its formation on February 5, 2020, the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust has spent Rs 2,150 crore over the past five years on the ongoing construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, with 18 per cent of that amount paid in taxes to the government. The funds were primarily raised through donations from the public, businessmen, and other contributors, while the Indian government contributed only Re 1 to the trust before the temple’s construction began.
The trust has received a significant Rs 3,500 crore in donations, with 60 per cent of this amount coming between February 2020 and 2021. Champat Rai further revealed that over the past five years, the trust has contributed Rs 396 crore to various government departments in taxes. Of this, Rs 272 crore was paid as GST, while Rs 130 crore was contributed under different tax categories. Additionally, Rs 200 crore was allocated to the Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam for the construction of three gates surrounding the Ram Katha Museum.
The trust also deposited Rs 39 crore into the government’s account, paid a royalty of Rs 14.90 crore, and allocated Rs 7.40 crore for labour funds supporting construction workers. A sum of Rs 4 crore was set aside for the insurance policy, and Rs 5 crore was granted to Ayodhya Vikas Pradhikaran for approving the Ram Janmabhoomi map. The registration fee for land purchased in Ayodhya amounted to Rs 29 crore, while the electricity bill was covered with Rs 10 crore.
Over the past five years, devotees have generously donated 944 kg of silver (approximately 92 per cent pure) to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust. The Minting Corporation of India, under the Indian government, has produced twenty-kilogram silver bricks, which have been safely stored in bank lockers, as shared by Champat Rai. He also announced that 96 per cent of the Ram Mandir’s construction has been completed.
Rai highlighted the significant increase in the number of tourists and devotees visiting Ayodhya, which has created more employment opportunities for the local community. He noted that 1.26 crore Hindus travelled to Ayodhya during the Maha Kumbh, and 5 crores of the 16 crore visitors to the region last year visited the temple. The financial records of the trust are regularly audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG).
Four members attended the meeting virtually, while two others could not be present. One member, Kameshwar Chaupal, passed away on February 7. The meeting concluded that there would be no chief priest at the Ram Mandir. Satyendra Das, the chief priest of Ram Lalla Acharya, also passed away on February 12. On April 6, during Ram Navami, the sun’s rays will adorn the forehead (surya tilak) of Ram Lalla for about four minutes at 12:00 pm. To ensure everyone can witness this moment, 50 LCD displays will be installed across Ayodhya, broadcasting the event live on Doordarshan.
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