TEHRAN (Dispatches) -- The first debate among the six candidates of the 12th Iranian presidential election was aired live on state television n Friday.
Mostafa Mirsalim expressed his serious concern about the lack of management of natural resources. He said sound water management would be the first step to reduce immigration from rural areas to cities.  
Mostafa Hashemi-Taba said Iran is plagued with severe environmental crisis, while President Hassan Rouhani cited immigration to big cities as a major problem not only in Iran but in most countries.
He said unemployment and low income is the major cause of immigration to big cities.
Tehran Mayor Muhammad-Baqer Qalibaf said social and economic imbalance is a major reason behind immigration. Vice President Es’haq Jahangiri said attention to immigrants must be the first priority in tackling their problems.
Ebrahim Raeisi said the first priority is to have correct figures on immigration to big cities. While Qalibaf put the number of outskirts dwellers at 11 million, Raeisi said the figure belongs to four years ago and currently stands at around 16 million.
Mirsalim then retook to the podium and said immigration should be curbed before it gives rise to social crises and added that 350,000 illegal wells have wasted the country’s water resources and caused immigration. The candidate said social facilities must be distributed evenly in cities and villages and expressed regret that some 10.2 million Iranians are totally illiterate. He noted that suitable housing must be provided in small towns and villages to prevent immigration.
Raeisi said the GINI Index, a measurement of the income distribution of a country's residents, shows class divide has increased in Iran, adding that tripling subsidies handed out to lower classes would be a good way to narrow the social gaps. He noted that tax evasion must be prevented to promote social justice.
Rouhani stressed the importance of striking a balance between eastern and western parts of the country. Qalibaf said promoting social justice would be difficult as long as urban crises are not resolved. Jahangiri said social justice is not limited to economic issues but also includes education, political and judicial matters.
Raeisi further said unemployment and closure of production units are major problems facing the country’s economy. He added that the next administration must make plans to narrow social gaps in a bid to promote justice.
Hashemi-Taba said bank loans and mass construction would be a good way to tackle the housing problem, adding that job creation would help resolve this issue. Jahangiri said empty housing units are the main obstacle to solving the housing problem.
Rouhani said unemployment is the main problem facing the promotion of youth marriage and added that boosting hope and avoiding unnecessary limitations in the society are key to solve problems. He said hope for future has increased in the Iranian society and employment has improved.
Raeisi said banking facilities, housing and employment are the main necessities to promote marriage among young Iranians. The other candidates also offered their viewpoints with Qalibaf challenging Rouhani on an alleged pledge that Rouhani had made during the previous presidential campaign to create four million jobs. Rouhani denied ever making that promise.
Rouhani then said oil revenues and taxation are major sources of the administration’s income and noted that his administration has reduced dependence on oil revenues to below 30 percent.
Qalibaf questioned the reason behind Jahangiri's candidacy, implying that Jahangiri has only registered to support Rouhani.
Jahangiri said forceful measures would fail to solve social problems and added that he took part in the presidential election as a representative of the Reformist camp.  
Qalibaf also said the dust storm problem is currently plaguing 20 Iranian provinces and added that inappropriate measures taken inside the country has led to this crisis.
Jahangiri said the current administration has succeeded in taking essential measures to solve the environmental problems. He added that 70% of the dust storm problem stems from reasons beyond Iran’s borders.
Rouhani also said his administration has managed to create 700,000 jobs for women.