Tehran, Dec 18, IRNA -- Five out of the eight proposed articles on the use of equipment for receiving satellite broadcasts were ratified here by the Majlis on Wednesday.

Based on Article 1 of the bill, import and maintenance, distribution and sale, presentation of related services and usage of equipment for receiving satellite broadcasts will be subject to specific regulations.

The use of satellite, in accordance with the law approved by the fifth term of the Majlis, is currently banned in the country.

Based on the second article ratified by the sixth term of Majlis, the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was commissioned to form a committee to this end.

The committee, which was to be represented by the Information Ministry, Ministry of Post, Telegraph and Telephone and the Islamic Republic of Iran's Broadcasting (IRIB), was assigned to draw up a by-law on the criteria for receiving satellite programs in three months and to make it operational once it is approved by the cabinet.

Based on another article, the police is authorized to proceed accordingly by warning illegal users of satellite, giving a one-week notice and eventually confiscating the equipment by presenting warrants issued by authorized judiciary officials.

The remaining articles are to be examined at the next open session of the Majlis to be convened after its 10-day recess.

The proposed by-law on the budget for the next Iranian year is to be examined during the upcoming break and any proposals and amendments will be submitted to Majlis specialized commissions.

The draft on next year's budget worth rls 859,743 billion was submitted to Majlis this morning by President Mohammad Khatami.