Iran's Parliament Okays new ministry

Iranian lawmakers have approved the establishment of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development following the merger of ministries of Roads and Transportation and Urban Development, Press TV reported with reference to IRNA.

In a parliament open session on Tuesday, the legislators agreed to change the name of the ministry to "meet the demands of the Guardian Council".

On May 9, the Iranian government announced plans to merge the Ministries of Roads and Transportation with Housing and Urban Development, Energy with Oil, Industries and Mines with Commerce, and Welfare and Social Security with Labor and Social Affairs in line with the 53rd article of the Fifth Five-Year Development Plan.

According to Iran's Fifth Five-Year Development Plan (2010-2015), the Iranian government is obliged to reduce its ministries form 21 to 17 to improve the efficiency of state administration.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on May 22 introduced Ali Nikzad to the Parliament as the candidate to run the Ministry of Infrastructure.

However, in a letter to the Majlis on June 11, Iran's Guardian Council said the proposed bill for establishing the Ministry of Infrastructure is against the Principle 133 of the country's Constitution.

According to Iran's Constitution, the Guardian Council, comprised of six religious and six legal experts, must endorse any legislation passed by the parliament.


/Trend/