Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – January 14, 1984

Before noon at home, we had a meeting of the Supervisory Council of Radio and Television. Decisions were made about removing haram music from the program, encouraging speakers who sing correctly and punishing those who sing incorrectly, controlling movies and many other things.

At 3:30 in the evening, I had a meeting with the militant clergy of Mashhad in the Majlis. They had questions about the country's economic situation, the war, and the state of the party, which I explained. I participated in the Economic Council. A report on measures to control prices and distribution of basic goods was given and we had a detailed discussion about next year's budget. One idea is to reduce the volume of construction works to fight inflation so as not to have a budget deficit. Economists want this. One opinion is that reducing construction works causes unemployment and low prosperity and has bad political effects. I also agree with the second opinion, and the Program and Budget Committee of the Parliament with the first opinion; You have to take the middle ground. The rice plan was also discussed. My opinion is that rice should be freed in general and the government should provide everyone with the minimum necessary from the source of foreign purchase.

After the meeting, we discussed with the president about the war and Imam's recent statements about not paying the Imam's share to the [Islamic Republic] party. He was supposed to talk to the imam. We had dinner at the house of [Mr. Ali] Agha Mohammadi, representative of Hamedan. I left late and arrived after dinner. Then I went to the assembly and slept.