Tehran, March 19, IRNA-Iran's government spokesman Gholam-Hossein Elham said on Sunday that the cabinet nullified the decision on daylight saving time, which was ratified in 1991.

Ever since the decision was ratified, the official time was annually set one hour forward on the first day of spring and one hour backward at the beginning of fall.

The decision on daylight saving was nullified by the cabinet in its Sunday session.

Elham said that the decision was initially ratified based upon concerns for daylight saving to reduce energy consumption.

"However, specialized survey has not proved that change of time results in saving energy. Neither has any survey showed reduced energy consumption during the first half of the year once the change of time is effected.

"On the other hand, the official change of time creates confusion in a great part of the community. Therefore, after lengthy debate and consideration of reports presented by specialized commissions in today's session, the cabinet decided against making any changes in the official time," he added.

The spokesman said that according to a draft approved by the cabinet on Sunday, after the New Year holidays, all government organizations and banks will open at 07:30 am while schools will open at 07:00 am.

"In provinces, the working hours of state organizations, banks and schools will be decided by governor-generals based on local conditions," concluded Elham.