In a meeting with members of the Tehran City Council (TCC), the mayor, and city managers, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei here on Monday insisted that all officials should try to be sincere, patient, and knowledgeable.
Expressing pleasure over the coordination between the Tehran City Council and the Tehran Municipality in providing services to the people, the Leader advised Tehran's managers, "Persevere in extending your sincere services to the people by making use of scientific expertise, which will result in eternal blessings for you and the satisfaction of the people as a reward."
The Leader said that nothing pleases the people more than the sincere services provided by officials and administrators.
He went on to say that the people want to see this determination on the part of officials, adding that such a trend would create a lively atmosphere in the community.
"The pleasant fragrance of efforts to render services is felt thanks to the reliable services of organizations like the municipality, which cooperate closely with the people, but that is not enough. All government organizations should regard providing services to the people as their main objective," he noted.
Ayatollah Khamenei said, "Officials should be steadfast and trust Almighty Allah in their efforts to serve the people. Of course, the seven-headed dragon of corruption will not be easily uprooted. Needless to say, those who expropriated national lands and became rich overnight by breaking the law will not give up their misdeeds. God willing, we will overcome all the conspiracies by making the most of the power, science, intellect, and intelligence at our disposal and realize the people's goals."
He stated that Tehran's affairs should be managed through the use of scientific methods in order to overcome the current difficulties, adding, "Of course, it will take time. You should study the problems and adopt the plans necessary to deal with them."
Referring to the significance of cultural and social issues in Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei said that the Islamic sentiments should prevail over all cultural and social plans and that this would help resolve the major problems of the country.
He insisted on waging a serious campaign against every type of corruption and added, "Although it is very difficult to launch such a struggle in the municipality, nevertheless, call for such a campaign against all those who want to take advantage of this organization."
The Leader praised the mayor and the city managers for holding direct meetings with the people, saying, "Such activities are highly recommended in order to resolve the people's problems. Then Allah will be satisfied and highly reward you."
At the beginning of the meeting, Tehran City Council Chairman Chamran delivered a report of its activities. He said, "We have attempted to create a friendly atmosphere for cooperation between the council and the mayor and encouraged the exchange of views among members of the council in order to carry out our vital duties."
Referring to the 137 approvals of the Tehran City Council, he mentioned the detailed and comprehensive plan for the next 18 months and the fact that the TCC has appointed an independent financial manager as examples of the TCC's activities.
Enumerating different approaches of modern city administration, Mayor Ahmadinejad said, "Among the measures for making Tehran a secure, advanced, and lively city we may mention rebuilding people's confidence in the municipality, changing this organization from an economic and political organization into a public service organization, promoting full cooperation between the municipality and the city council, utilization of expertise in decision making, highlighting the youth and their social and cultural problems, struggling against corruption, respecting the citizens, and banning discrimination regarding different districts of the city."
The mayor concluded by saying that the Tehran Municipality should provide the people services and beautify the city. He also said that the chaos of the city's financial affairs has been brought under control while transparency and documentation have been established as the criteria for financial affairs.