Concerned about the widening gap between the government and the people over the payslips scandal that leaked into the media in past few weeks, President Rouhani issued a statement on Monday to address the issue and assuage national conscience and public’s feelings.
The President noted that he has received a report on the decisions and measures of a special committee presided by the First Vice-President formed to probe into the causes and identify cases of violation and misuse among other tasks, and maintained that the report stipulates that the law of harmonized system of payments of government employees (approved in 1991) and Countrywide Services Management Law (approved in 2007) are two key factors in legal loopholes in the past and present.
“Alertness of people and sensitiveness of public opinion about the unconventional payments, as well as free expression of opinions in public, cyberspace and the media is a valuable asset that I respect,” Rouhani said in the statement, adding he would make every effort to strengthen fighting corruption and rent seeking in administrative and economic system.
“I have no brotherhood bonds with anybody and I will uproot this source of evil from the sacred realm of serving the country,” he stressed, adding his government would take steps in making fundamental reform to the unwholesome regulations that have ingrained in the public institutions for years.
“I have ordered ministers to exercise utmost care regarding any kind of payment, especially salaries and bonuses that are paid from the public money which includes the whole budget of the country and all public resources, to stop the deep roots of financial indiscipline and rent seeking,” he added.
The President further obliged ministers, deputies, authorities and managers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches to implement necessary measures regarding reformation of their administrative system and clarify their decisions.
“All organs are required to publish salaries and bonuses of all authorities in the form of minimum and maximum payments on the website of the ministry or the organization, as well as the website of Management and Planning Organization on a monthly basis for public awareness,” he said.
Rouhani went on to urge the related organs, press and mass media to inform the public opinion of cases that have been raised under the title of payslips or unconventional payments but which have not been a violation.
“The government will use this opportunity to organize ‘Information Transparency System’ in public resources and expenditures and accelerate implementation of the act of free access to and dissemination of information in order to let people, who are the main beneficiaries of the public capitals and resources, monitor their own affairs of property and ensure the health and firmness of the political system though advising the people in charge,” President Rouhani concluded.
MS/PR
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