Iran VP criticizes new ministry

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi has criticized a bill ratified by Iranian lawmakers on the establishment of a new government ministry.

“The government criticizes the ratification of a bill on merging the National Youth Organization and the Physical Education Organization and the establishment of the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” Rahimi said on Monday, IRNA reported.

“What has been ratified by Majlis will run its legal course and the government will act based on the law,” he added.

The vice president went on to criticize that the decision has been made with no consultation with the government.

Rahimi said it would be better if the government could continue its work with the two former organizations.

“The National Youth Organization has nothing to do with sports affairs and so should not be merged (with the Physical Education Organization),” he emphasized.

He said imposing more financial costs on the government would be among the outcomes of the decision and stressed the importance of acting in line with a law which urges the government to reduce its ministries form 21 to 17.

Iran’s Parliament on Sunday voted for the establishment of the new Ministry of Youth and Sports with 157 lawmakers voting in favor of the plan, 44 voting against and 11 abstaining.

The new legislation requires the approval of Iran’s Guardian Council to take effect as law.

The Majlis ratification came nearly a week after Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad replaced the head of the National Youth Organization Mehrdad Bazrpash.