Karunanidhi congratulates Sonia Gandhi on taking charge as NAC chief

Chennai, Mar 30 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Tuesday congratulated Congress President Sonia Gandhi on taking charge as the chief of the National Advisory Council (NAC).

Karunanidhi, who is also the chief of the Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam (DMK) party in a message to Gandhi said, the poor would benefit from her services, adding that the country, especially the poor and the downtrodden, will stand benefited to a very great extent by her excellent service as the chairperson of the Council.

The DMK chief wishing Gandhi a happy and useful tenure as the Chairperson of NAC further said, this appointment would add another feather to her cap.

The Union Government on Monday constituted the National Advisory Council (NAC) to be headed by Sonia Gandhi as its Chairperson.

She will hold the rank and status of Union Cabinet Minister with immediate effect. he 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.

Sonia Gandhi quit the NAC in March 2006 after the BJP- led Opposition alleged that she had violated the office of profit principle.

Gandhi had also resigned from her Lok Sabha seat. But later despite winning the Rae Bareilly by poll, she kept herself away from the NAC. (ANI)