New Delhi, April 7 -- A parliamentary committee has asked the civil aviation ministry to consider selling state-owned chopper service firm Pawan Hans Ltd or reposition it as a northeast-focused helicopter operator.

"The committee recommends that the ministry articulate a clear, strategic direction for Pawan Hans, whether restructuring, re-attempting disinvestment, or repositioning it as a strategic helicopter operator for North Eastern region and island connectivity," the 31-member panel said in a report tabled in Parliament on 25 March.

The civil aviation ministry holds a 51% stake in Pawan Hans, while Oil and Natural Gas Corp. owns the remaining 49%. Efforts to privatise the helicopter operator in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020 did not mat...