TEHRAN These days, the Oil Ministry is the target of criticism by senior officials and media persons. Experts believe that this criticism is warranted.

Many believe that financial corruption and mismanagement in the Oil Ministry is widespread.

During the last four years, several structural changes have been made in the ministry which have caused heavy financial losses. The so-called reforms in the Oil Ministry were introduced in a way that was harmful and created a number of problems.

For example, informed sources say that one ministry-owned company was divided into several other independent companies. As a result, the company that had one board of directors, now has several boards of directors, a fact that has caused unnecessary budget expenditures and also paved the way for nepotism and financial corruption.

In order to clean the slate, a watchdog body of experts must be formed to conduct a thorough inquiry into the performance of the ministry over the past four years. Those who are responsible for the corruption and mismanagement must be punished after court trials.