NEW DELHI: Dr Nusrat Parveen, who was at the centre of a public controversy after Bihar CM Nitish Kumar was seen lifting her veil during an appointment letter distribution event last month, finally joined govt service on Wednesday, more than three weeks after her posting order was first issued on December 15.Officials confirmed to TOI that Parveen submitted her joining report at the Civil Surgeon’s office in Patna. She has been posted at Sabalpur PHC under Patna Sadar subdivision.
Her joining of official duty brings relief to the health department, which had warned that failing to report by the January 7 deadline could lead to cancellation of her appointment.Parveen’s induction into govt service was marked by delays and intense political and social scrutiny. The state health department had initially directed her to join by December 20, days after the video from the Dec 15 event went viral, triggering political outrage and debate. After Parveen failed to report for duty the following week, the department had extended the deadline first to Dec 31 and then to Jan 7, citing “special circumstances”. During this period, she also received another job offer from the Jharkhand govt with a salary of Rs 3 lakh per month. A senior Bihar govt official said Parveen completed mandatory medical tests on Jan 6 before formally joining service with the state the following day. “She has completed all joining formalities. We hope the matter ends here,” the official said.With Parveen now formally on duty, officials said the department would move on from the episode.
