They won't eat a meal without meat...

The Presidential Circular regarding austerity measures has been published in the Official Gazette and has entered into force.

May it be beneficial to our country and nation...

The most striking part of the circular is the phrase, "managers at every level will be responsible for the implementation of austerity principles."

Managers immediately began competing to impress their superiors. 

The first move came from the Presidency of Religious Affairs (Diyanet). Diyanet announced that the Audi A8, which was in the service of the presidency and had been a subject of controversy, was returned 'within the scope of austerity measures.' With this move, it also set an example for other institutions!

Although they were holding a meeting at a five-star hotel at the time the austerity measures were announced, never mind, that was the last lavish meeting!..

But let's give them credit; they made a statement immediately after the meeting. Diyanet will now conduct its training sessions online, overseas programs will be canceled except in necessary cases (though it was not specified what these cases are), and no purchases of fixed assets, office supplies, stationery, etc., will be made except for very essential needs.

We are being unfair to Diyanet here. They just returned the Audi A8, the latest vehicle added to their fleet of state-of-the-art luxury cars. 

Speaking of food, the lunch menu prepared for the high-level executives of the Presidency of Religious Affairs was revealed today. According to the list, there is a meat dish almost every day for the high-level executives. Vegetable dishes are also prepared with minced meat. 

For example, yesterday, when the austerity measures circular went into effect, Diyanet's menu included corn soup, farm-style meatballs, bulgur pilaf, and fruit. 

Don't say, "What's wrong with that?" A portion of the cost of this meal is covered by the budget. For instance, President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş pays 67.5 TL for a one-day meal. 

Eating a half-loaf döner sandwich at an ordinary döner shop outside starts at 150 TL. In other words, while a citizen earning a minimum wage of 17 thousand lira can eat 113.5 döner sandwiches a month, President of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş can eat 252 of the menus consisting of corn soup, farm-style meatballs, bulgur pilaf, and fruit for 17 thousand lira. Bon appétit. However, the fact that Erbaş's salary is not 17 thousand lira prevents us from calculating how many menus he could eat with one salary...

Meanwhile, according to the calculations of the United Metal-Workers' Union Class Research Center (BİSAM), the poverty line for a family of four in April was calculated as 61 thousand 418 lira. 

In the same report, the daily expenditure amount required for healthy and balanced nutrition was announced as 592 lira in April. 

While the minimum daily expenditure required just for the meat, chicken, and fish group reaches 124.81 lira, Diyanet personnel can eat their meat, vegetables, and fruit for half that amount. 

The expenditure amount required for dry bread alone has reached 40.25 lira per day.