ARDEBIL, Ardebil Province Vice President Baqerian said on Thursday that decentralization is a principal policy of President Khatami's administration and the government would shortly delegate some of its authorities to local governments. Baqerian, who is also secretary general of National Civil Service and Administrative Affairs Department, said the new responsibilities and authorities that were to be delegated to local governments had already been identified.

He said the administrative structure of the civil service sector of Iran was being recast with the expert cooperation of all government executives. Baqerian added that the new revised executive policies of the administration sought to protect the present manpower, prevent spreading the administrative structure, economize on expenditures, and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy nationwide. (IRNA)