Bill to Convert ICHHTO to Ministry Faces Objection

A constitutional council has rejected a bill passed by parliament to convert Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization to a ministry, citing inconsistencies with the Constitution and Islamic laws.
Under the conversion plan, ICHHTO will retain all its current duties and authorities with no expansion in its administrative structure and workforce. 
The Guardians Council, which is tasked with vetting the compliance of legislation approved by the Parliament with Sharia (Islamic law) and the Iranian Constitution, has called for amendments to ICHHTO’s statute that dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
It contends that some of the rules enshrined in the statute run counter to Sharia, which forms the bedrock of the Islamic Republic system.