MASHHAD, Khorasan Prov. -- An Iranian energy policy- maker said on Tuesday that gasoline price would increase by 10 percent next year in case of failure to scrap subsidies.

Member of the Majlis Energy Commission Ramezan Vahidi told IRNA here on Tuesday that if government decides to remove gasoline subsidy, it should do it with all goods without any exception.

Vahidi said gasoline is predicted to be sold on market for 550 rials per litter next year.

The MP welcomed gasoline rationing scheme, saying it would benefit public welfare.

Another member of the commission Hossein Afarideh had in an interview with IRNA on Monday voiced displeasure with a proposed gasoline rationing formula, saying it had a mere tranquilizing effect on gasoline consumption economization pattern.

Afarideh had said that the gasoline rationing plan would only push down prices by 10 percent.

He said a purposeful subsidy allocation scheme should be followed to solve the problem.

He added that citizens should be provided with necessary credits to obtain modern cars with low fuel consumption and higher safety standards.

Director Planning Department at National Oil Derivatives Refining and Distribution Company Kasmaeizadeh had recently said continued rise of gasoline consumption would prompt rationing the fuel as of next year.

Kasmaeizadeh had said that about four billion liters of gasoline is expected to be imported this year at a cost of $850 million.