Sonia Gandhi to head the first National Advisory Council - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Union Government on Monday constituted the National Advisory Council (NAC), which will be headed by Congress President Sonia Gandhi as its Chairperson. She will hold the rank and status of Union Cabinet Minister with immediate effect. The term of appointment of the Chairperson of the NAC will be with effect from the date of assuming charge of the office as the Chairperson. It will be co-terminus with the term of the NAC or until further orders which ever is earlier. The term of the members of the NAC shall be for a period of one year with effect from the date of their appointment, which may be extended. The Chairperson of the NAC shall be entitled to the same salary, pay, allowances and other facilities to which a member of the Union Council of Minister is entitled. Under the special provision for a Member of Parliament appointed as the member of the NAC, it has been provided that the member shall not be entitled to draw any remuneration, allowances or perks as such member from the NAC other than the compensatory allowance as defined in clause (a) of the section 2 of the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959.