The next year's national budget has recently been a hot issue of discussion in the Iranian Parliament, Guardian Council and the highest state decision-making body, the Expediency Council. The Iranian press have also contributed to the discussions.

The budget bill, which was ratified by the Parliament some two months ago, has not yet been approved by other state organs, which could have dealt with more significant problems of the society.

The controversy resulting from the 55 percent cut in the IRIB budget as well as the reduction in the budget allocated to parties and minorities has created a big hurdle in the way of approving the next year's budget bill.

The present budget bill, in spite of its shortcomings, has been considered by many economic experts as the best ever approved by the Parliament during the recent years.

While everybody is attracted by this controversy, nobody questions the huge budget allocated to some organizations which have almost nothing to do with the poor, although they call themselves the supporters of the underprivileged. Thus, no one asks whether the people approve of the large budget channeled into the pockets of those who are not as concerned about the people's problems as they claim to be.

Frankly, the budget bill is suffering from several weak points, and its whole structure should be reviewed by experts. After this is done, it should be handed over to the relevant organs for final approval.xople approve of the large budget channeled into the pockets of those who are not as concerned about the people's problems as they claim to be.

Frankly, the budget bill is suffering from as they claim to be.