Dhaka, March 24 -- A special parliamentary committee formed to examine 133 ordinances issued during the interim government's 18-month tenure has begun its first meeting.

The 13-strong committee started its meeting at 11:15am on Tuesday in the cabinet room of the parliament building.

According to the Parliament Secretariat, the panel is discussing the review of the 133 ordinances placed before parliament on Mar 12 and the submission of a report on them.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed spoke to reporters before joining the meeting.

He said the special panel had been formed under the Rules of Procedure because the ministry-related standing committees had not yet been constituted.

According to Salahuddin, the committee will examine whethe...