Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has created a new institutional mechanism, the Energy Coordination Committee, to guide government policy in the energy sector. The ECC will formulate a coordinated policy response cutting across ministries so as to improve the overall energy scenario in the country while addressing energy security concerns. The ECC will enable the Government to take a holistic view of India's energy needs and policy options.

The Energy Coordination Committee will be chaired by the Prime Minister. The Committee will consist of the Union Ministers of Finance, Power, Petroleum & Natural Gas, Coal and Non-Conventional Energy Sources; the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Member [Energy] Planning Commission, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, National Security Advisor, Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to PM, who will be the Convenor of the Committee.

The Committee will be serviced by the PMO and the Energy Division of the Planning Commission will facilitate any policy analysis required by the Committee. It will coordinate preparatory work on energy policy and security issues. The Committee may also commission specialized studies depending upon the requirements which arise from time to time.

The Committee will, among other things, identify key areas requiring energy policy initiatives, so that the overall objectives of economic development, energy security and energy efficiency are met; monitor vulnerabilities that directly impinge on energy security aspects; outline the follow up action needed for implementing identified policy initiatives; identify institutional mechanisms for implementing policies; periodically monitor key policy decisions.