Sonia Gandhi to again head re-constituted NAC
30 Mar 2010
After disbanding the National Advisory Council (NAC) in 1996 and quitting the post of its chairperson over an office of profit controversy, United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi is back as head of a re-constituted NAC.
She will have the rank and status of a cabinet minister, according to an official press release.
During the UPA government's first term, Gandhi headed the council, set up to advise the coalition government on policy matters. In many ways, the NAC was seen to be a "super-government".
The opposition, mainly the BJP and the Samjawadi Party, had used the office of profit law to attack Gandhi's position, as she was also the MP from Rae Bereilly.
She also stepped down as Rae Bareilly MP, but was re-elected.
When the second UPA government was formed last year, the NAC was not reconstituted. Now, it is expected to once again oversee the flagship schemes of the UPA coalition, like the Food Security Act.