Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani praised the Oil Ministry for connecting villages to the national gas network and called for rural development to motivate locals not to migrate.
"I am thankful to the Oil Ministry as the gas supply plan encourages villagers to stay and work in their native place," Larijani said during the ceremony for connecting Qomroud in Qom province to the national gas network, Shana reported.
"I asked the oil minister [Bijan Namdar Zanganeh] to supply gas to every household, he is doing so and we hope 12% of the villages lacking gas supply will be connected to the national network in the near future."
Referring to water scarcity, the speaker said the National Development Fund has allocated $500 million for supplying water to deprived regions, as per Article 108 of the budget law.
"1% of the national budget is allocated for gas, water, electricity and road development in underdeveloped areas," he said.
"By providing rural areas with technology and equipment, fewer people will migrate to cities."
Larijani said more investment in subsidiary industries, alongside farming and animal husbandry, is necessary for villagers to make a living in their native places and governor generals should pursue this.
