'Rational energy policies are critical for rational responses to the threat of climate change. This is a new compulsion. We need to assess whether we are on track in critical aspects of our energy policy.'

He said each energy sub-sector in India was the domain of a different ministry, which often meant non-symmetric policy stance. In other words, principles adopted to determine policy in one sector are not the same as in another.

He, accordingly, called for a proper assessment of how the country's Integrated Energy Policy, approved by the government in December last year, was being implemented so that changes can be made accordingly.

This is the first meeting of the full Planning Commission since the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government was voted back and comes against the backdrop of India logging a 6.1 percent growth in the first quarter of this fiscal but now facing one of the worst droughts in decades.