The parliament has decided to hold committee meetings on all weekdays, including Sunday and Thursday when parliament sittings do not take place.

Parliament Secretary General Ahmed Mohamed told newspaper Haveeru that the decision was made by Speaker Abdulla Shahid after discussions with parliamentary group leaders in a bid to expedite the legislative process.

At present there are 43 bills being reviewed by parliamentary committees, including the draft penal code submitted in October 2009. Other belated pieces of legislation include the Drugs Bill, Evidence Bill and the Jails and Parole Bill.