Ayodhya (UP), Mar 16 (UNI) Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Tirtha Kshetra Trust has paid Rs 272 crore to the government as Goods and Services Tax, whereas Rs 7.4 crore has been paid to the workers as Labour Fund.

Sources said this was informed during a meeting on Sunday under the chairmanship of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Trust President and Mahant Nritya Gopal Das of Mani Ram Das Chhavani, in which four members attended the meeting as special invitees and four members virtually.

The acting District Magistrate attended the meeting due to the ex-officio member DM being on leave. Two members of the trust were absent. The ex-officio members of the state government also did not attend due to busy schedules.

During the meeting it was informed that the trust was formed on February 5, 2020. In five years, there has been a payment of Rs 396 crore from the trust's account to various government agencies. GST of Rs 272 crore alone has been paid to the government.

According to the trust, Rs 39 crore was deposited in the government account, Rs 14.90 crore was spent as royalty, Rs 7.40 crore was paid as labour fund, Rs 4 crore was paid in insurance policy, Rs 5 crore was paid to Ayodhya Vikas Pradhikaran for the map of Janmabhoomi.

According to the trust, Rs 29 crore was paid as revenue tax for the registration fee of the land purchased in Ayodhya. "Electricity bill of Rs 10 crore was paid, Rs 14.90 crore was paid as royalty," sources said.

The trustee said a total of Rs 2,150 crore was spent in five years. He said work worth Rs 200 crore, construction of Ram Katha Museum, Auditorium, Trust Office, and Resting Place will be done and three gates will be constructed on seventy acres. UNI XC AB SSP