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182046
Sat, 05/14/2011 - 08:06
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http://m.oananews.org//node/182046
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Iran's GC says merger of ministries needs Majlis approval
TEHRAN, May 14 (MNA) – The Guardian Council has announced that the merger of ministries requires the parliament’s approval according to the Iranian Constitution.
Guardian Council Secretary Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati made the announcement in a letter to Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Wednesday.
On Friday, Majlis Research Center Director Ahmad Tavakoli told the Fars news agency that Larijani and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have held a meeting, in which Ahmadinejad agreed to implement the Majlis decision on the merger of ministries.
On Monday, media outlets reported that the cabinet had approved a proposal to merge eight ministries into four ministries.
On Tuesday, Larijani said that it is illegal to merge the ministries without the approval of the parliament.
On Wednesday, Ahmadinejad dismissed Larijani’s assertion and said that the administration was acting according to the law.
Following is the text of Ayatollah Jannati’s letter to Larijani:
With reference to the letter dated May 9, 2011, in which it was requested that Article 133 of the Constitution (of the Islamic Republic of Iran) be interpreted, the issue was discussed at a meeting of the Guardian Council on May 11, 2011. The unanimous opinion of the council is as follows:
As it is clarified in Article 133 of the Constitution, any change in the duties and legal authorities (of the ministers and ministries) as well as the merger of two or several ministries must be approved by the Majlis. And any change in the duties and authorities of the ministers and ministries shall not be made before the approval of the Majlis.
Appointed ministers of the new or merged ministries are regarded as new ministers and must receive a vote of confidence from the Majlis.
Interpretation of common law falls within ambit of Majlis
On Friday, Larijani said that the interpretation of the common law falls within the ambit of the parliament.
“The interpretation of constitutional laws is within the competence of the Guardian Council, and the interpretation of the common law is within the competence of the Majlis. The Guardian Council expressed its opinion, and the opinion of this council indicates that the Majlis’ interpretation of the (issue of the) merger of ministries is approved by the Guardian Council,” Larijani told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to the 24th Tehran International Book Fair, which opened on May 3 and closes today.
Ministers prohibited from interfering in other ministries’ affairs
In addition, MP Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, who is the deputy Majlis speaker for supervisory affairs, has written letters to every minister, in which he informed them that they are prohibited from interfering in the affairs of other ministries.
Majlis Presiding Board spokesman Mohsen Kouhkan made the announcement during a televised debate with Vice President Lotfollah Forouzandeh broadcast live on Iranian television on Wednesday night.
“In the opinion of the Majlis, the government has 21 ministers, and the ministers who have left office have responsibility unless they are dismissed or they resign,” Kouhkan stated.
However, Forouzandeh said that the Ahmadinejad administration acted according to the law.
Another debate, which was scheduled to be held between representatives of the Majlis and the administration on Thursday night, was cancelled.
Guardian Council Secretary Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati made the announcement in a letter to Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani on Wednesday.
On Friday, Majlis Research Center Director Ahmad Tavakoli told the Fars news agency that Larijani and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad have held a meeting, in which Ahmadinejad agreed to implement the Majlis decision on the merger of ministries.
On Monday, media outlets reported that the cabinet had approved a proposal to merge eight ministries into four ministries.
On Tuesday, Larijani said that it is illegal to merge the ministries without the approval of the parliament.
On Wednesday, Ahmadinejad dismissed Larijani’s assertion and said that the administration was acting according to the law.
Following is the text of Ayatollah Jannati’s letter to Larijani:
With reference to the letter dated May 9, 2011, in which it was requested that Article 133 of the Constitution (of the Islamic Republic of Iran) be interpreted, the issue was discussed at a meeting of the Guardian Council on May 11, 2011. The unanimous opinion of the council is as follows:
As it is clarified in Article 133 of the Constitution, any change in the duties and legal authorities (of the ministers and ministries) as well as the merger of two or several ministries must be approved by the Majlis. And any change in the duties and authorities of the ministers and ministries shall not be made before the approval of the Majlis.
Appointed ministers of the new or merged ministries are regarded as new ministers and must receive a vote of confidence from the Majlis.
Interpretation of common law falls within ambit of Majlis
On Friday, Larijani said that the interpretation of the common law falls within the ambit of the parliament.
“The interpretation of constitutional laws is within the competence of the Guardian Council, and the interpretation of the common law is within the competence of the Majlis. The Guardian Council expressed its opinion, and the opinion of this council indicates that the Majlis’ interpretation of the (issue of the) merger of ministries is approved by the Guardian Council,” Larijani told reporters on the sidelines of his visit to the 24th Tehran International Book Fair, which opened on May 3 and closes today.
Ministers prohibited from interfering in other ministries’ affairs
In addition, MP Mohammad-Reza Bahonar, who is the deputy Majlis speaker for supervisory affairs, has written letters to every minister, in which he informed them that they are prohibited from interfering in the affairs of other ministries.
Majlis Presiding Board spokesman Mohsen Kouhkan made the announcement during a televised debate with Vice President Lotfollah Forouzandeh broadcast live on Iranian television on Wednesday night.
“In the opinion of the Majlis, the government has 21 ministers, and the ministers who have left office have responsibility unless they are dismissed or they resign,” Kouhkan stated.
However, Forouzandeh said that the Ahmadinejad administration acted according to the law.
Another debate, which was scheduled to be held between representatives of the Majlis and the administration on Thursday night, was cancelled.
