PATNA, Jan. 1 -- The Bihar government has extended till January 7 the deadline for newly-appointed AYUSH doctors to join service, marking the second such extension in 11 days, an official said on Thursday.

Among those who did not report for duty by December 31 was Dr Nusrat Parveen, a young ayurvedic doctor who had come into the public spotlight after Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar tugged her 'hijab' (veil) during an appointment-letter distribution ceremony at the CM's secretariat on December 15, triggering a widespread controversy.

An order issued by the State Health Society, Bihar (SHSB) and signed by its executive director Amit Kumar Pandey on Wednesday said the joining date for candidates selected under advertisement number 05/20...