The Ministry of Women and Child Affairs has decided to make it mandatory for individuals entering the public service to obtain certification confirming that they have not faced allegations or charges related to crimes against children.
The certificate would have to be obtained from the Police or another authorised institution. The Ministry also plans to extend the requirement to officers already employed in the public service.
Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Paulraj said action had been taken to submit the relevant Cabinet paper.
Under the proposed measure, serving public officers would be required to renew and submit the certificate when completing service milestones or qualifying for salary increments, confirming that they had not been involved in child-related crimes during the relevant period.
“We are seeking Cabinet approval to introduce a certification requirement for those entering the public service, particularly those recruited for positions involving access to children, to verify that they have not faced allegations related to crimes against children,” Paulraj said.
She stressed that individuals recruited for positions involving direct access to children should not have been accused of child-related offences or identified as offenders.
