New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi was appointed Chairperson of the National Advisory Council (NAC) that acts as the interface with the civil society on the implementation of Manmohan Singh government’s flagship programmes.

The NAC was first set up in 2004 with Sonia Gandhi as its chief in the rank of cabinet minister. Two years later she resigned in the wake of a controversy that the post was also an office of profit and that as a member of parliament she could not head such a post.

Chairmanship of the Advisory Council has since been excluded from the list of offices of profit that Parliament Members are denied.

An official announcement said, Sonia Gandhi’s tenure would be co-terminus with that of the NAC. She will not draw any perk, allowance or remuneration from the Council. She will nominate other members who will have a one year term.