TEHRAN The Iranian Parliament (Majlis) voted here Sunday to certify formation of a "ministry of agricultural jihad", a merger of the Ministry of Agriculture and that of Construction Jihad.
The Majlis had approved a long-awaited bill to merge the two ministries months ago.
Last week, it approved another bill to merge the Ministry of Mines and Metals with the Ministry of Industries.
The Parliament's bill still has to be approved by the Guardian Council, a watchdog body which screens all laws to ensure they do not contradict Islamic principles and the Constitution, before it becomes effective.
The merger was accepted by President Mohammad Khatami to trim the state sector and reduce parallel state bodies which often compete for influence and resources.
In the meantime, addressing officials of the Islamic Propagation Organization (IPO) in charge of artistic works, Karrubi here on Sunday said that it is not fair to attribute the country's cultural problems to the events taking place in the country in recent years.
He stressed that activities in the Iranian society characterized by a diversity of cultural, political and religious tastes is very difficult but at the same time very sweet.
What has happened over the past few years were not the results of a short period of time, he said.
Underlining the need for making use of correct cultural methods, he stressed that appropriate ways should be found to address the existing cultural needs of the society.
Prior to Karrubi's speech, Hojjatoleslam Mohammad-Ali Zam, head of the IPO's Art Bureau, briefed the audience on performance of his department as well as the existing difficulties particularly in the area of budget and the needed credits for the future programs of the department.
(IRNA)