TEHRAN – Deputy Majlis Speaker Mohammad-Reza Bahonar stated here on Wednesday that if the administration does not back down from its decision to withdraw the subsidy bill, the MPs should agree with it.

In its proposed bill, the administration has stated that the income gained from normalizing the price of energy and commodities should be deposited in a special fund. However, after the Majlis voted against the establishment of a subsidy fund, the president wrote a letter in the parliament on Tuesday and presented it to the legislature’s presiding board announcing the withdrawal of the bill.
The Majlis has said that the revenues must be kept in the treasury and spent within the framework of the annual national budget, which would allow the Majlis to supervise how it is spent.
Ahmadinejad said if the subsidy bill is linked to the annual national budget, it will not be possible to implement it because annual budgets change every year.
Lawmakers said the establishment of a subsidy fund, which is mentioned in clause 13 of the proposed subsidy bill, is unconstitutional.
If the administration is convinced that it should go ahead with its decision, then the Majlis will continue its deliberations on the subsidy bill, he noted.
The Majlis has already approved the subsidy bill -- also known as the economic reform plan -- which would allow the government to normalize prices over a five-year period.
Cleric MP Mohammad Reza Mir Tajedini told ISNA on Wednesday that he and MP Mohsen Kouhkan have been given the mission to find a solution to the standoff between the Majlis and the government over the subsidy fund.
The decision was made by the Majlis presiding board on Tuesday.
Mir Tajedini, a member of the Majlis presiding board, said if a legal way is found for the issue then there will be no need to study the letter.
Asked about his solution to the dilemma, he said, “Representatives have some suggestions which can present them to the special committee… and we are waiting for a decision by the committee.”
Meanwhile, Mas’oudpour, an official in the presidential office responsible for parliamentary affairs said it has been agreed two MPs and two persons from the administration to find a new way to settle the dispute over the subsidy fund by Sunday.
Mas’oudpour, whose first name was not given, told the ISNA news agency that if no solution is found by Sunday the only remaining option is to read the letter in parliament.
Mir Tajedini also said if no solution is found until Sunday the Majlis will begin the study of the letter