What has happened to the once high-profile National Advisory Council (NAC) ? Its recommendations were taken as diktats in the corridors of power !! Even the Prime Minister used to carry out its bidding, since heading the council was none else but UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. He even went on record to commit that the suggestions she gave were being incorporated in the Union Budget. The great institution of NAC is, however, now practically defunct, though the Government has provided Rs 1.25 crores as the budget allocation for the year 2007-08. Arun Bhatnagar who continues to run NAC's show as its Secretary-general has been given the third extension of six months. Since Sonia has ruled out her return to head the NAC again, even after the law was amended to end her embarrassment of resigning from the Lok Sabha to escape the charge of holding an office of profit. A proposal is afoot to merge NAC with the PMO or make it a part of one of the Union Ministries. And an unconfirmed report states that the entire remuneration that Sonia Gandhi took as its chairperson has been repaid to the exchequer.
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