The government does not need a new law to increase gasoline prices / The salary cap is 91 million tomans

In an interview with *Eqtesad Online*, Rahim Zarei, the spokesman for the Joint Commission of the 2024 Budget Bill, explained the details of determining the salaries of civil servants in the commission. Referring to existing laws in this regard, he noted that according to the law, the maximum salary disparity among employees should be capped at seven times. This means that the salary ceiling for civil servants next year will be 91 million tomans. However, Zarei clarified that university faculty members and judges are exempt from this rule, a decision made for specific reasons.

Zarei further explained that the number of full-time professors in the country is around 600, which is a relatively small number compared to the total population. He also pointed out that the average salary of most judges and university professors is much lower than the set salary cap. Therefore, considering their special roles in the educational and judicial systems, it was decided to exempt them from the salary cap law to ensure they receive the necessary support in recognition of their significant roles in society.

The spokesman for the Joint Commission also addressed the issue of car import tariffs, stating: "We have allocated $3 billion for car imports and reduced the import tariff to 60%." Zarei emphasized that this measure was taken to ease conditions for the public and reduce car import costs.

In response to a question about the possibility of a gasoline price hike, Zarei noted: "There is no price increase for gasoline planned in the budget bill." However, he also explained that the Targeted Subsidy Law gives the government the authority to make changes to prices if necessary.