Bhubaneswar: Usha Padhee, an Odisha cadre IAS officer of 1996 batch, is the new CMD of Pawan Hans Ltd., a premier national helicopter carrier in India.

Padhee, who is now the joint secretary in the union civil aviation ministry, will be in charge of CMD Pawan Hans in addition to her present assignment.

Pawan Hans Ltd. has twitted welcoming her appointment as the CMD and stated that she is the first women to head the Mini Ratna public sector company.

Padhee, who is also the additional director at Delhi International Airport, was director of Pawan Hans till she was elevated to become the CMD.