Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the National Advisory Council (NAC), headed by UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, is not a "super cabinet" but an advisory body which has made significant contributions in pushing forward social development programmes.

"It (NAC) is not a super cabinet. It is an advisory body," Singh told a press conference.

The Council was the brainchild of the Congress President and it was first set up after UPA-I came to power in 2004 as an interface with civil society with regard to the implementation of Government's National Common Minimum Programme (NCMP).

"That NAC in the past, when it existed, has made very effective contribution to pushing forward the programmes of social development in our country," Singh said.

Gandhi, who was heading the NAC from 2004, had to quit the post in 2006 after the Opposition alleged that she had violated the "office of profit" principle by taking up the post and the benefits that go with it.

She was again appointed the Chairperson of the NAC on March 29 this year.