TEHRAN - Iranian lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to the establishment of cultural heritage, handicrafts and tourism ministry in a bid to support tourism industry.

With 137 votes in favor, 41 against and 1 abstention, Majlis passed the legislation that called for transformation of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization into a ministry, Mehr reported.

The bill certifies that the makeover should be carried out without any expansion of the current CHHTO departments or human resources.

Under provision I of the bill, properties, facilities and human resources already in possession of the organization will be handed over to the new ministry.

Provision II outlines the responsibilities and tasks of the ministry in accordance with the responsibilities of the cultural heritage organization. The government is required to present any changes in duties of the new ministry to the Majlis within a year.

Provision III stresses that any increase in the number of human resources, facilities and financial dealings at the new ministry will be forbidden during the implementation of the sixth development plan.

Lawmakers in favor of the bill believed that the formation of the ministry would revitalize the organization and hold it accountable before the parliament. Lawmakers against the bill said the formation of a new ministry was not a priority and was against the objectives of the fifth and sixth development plans that call for a reduction in the number of ministries.

The CHHTO was founded in 1985, administered and funded by the government. Ali-Asghar Monesan, the incumbent director of the organization, was appointed by President Hassan Rouhani on August 13, 2017.

PHOTO: An interior view of the Iranian parliament

AFM/PA