PALAKKAD: More than three years after Kerala Police formally recommended mandatory police clearance certificates (PCC) for home nurses, the proposal remains stalled in government offices, caught in an inter-departmental delay despite unanimous support from senior police officials.
The recommendation originated in 2022 after social activist Chandran Chamy of Thathamangalam in Palakkad district submitted a petition to the then Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, seeking compulsory police verification for home nurses and caregivers working in private households. The petition highlighted the growing dependence on home nursing services and argued that mandatory background verification would help prevent crimes involving caregivers while improving public confidence.
The Chief Minister’s Office forwarded the petition to the state police chief, who sought the views of district police chiefs across Kerala. According to official responses, district police chiefs unanimously endorsed the proposal, stating that police verification would strengthen the safety of elderly and vulnerable people who depend on home nursing services.
Based on these recommendations, the DGP submitted a formal proposal to the home department in 2023. However, no government order has been issued so far.
According to official sources, the home department later concluded that the subject came under the local self-government department (LSGD) and transferred the file. The LSGD subsequently opined that the issue should be handled by the labour department, where the proposal is currently under examination. The prolonged movement of the file between departments has effectively left the recommendation in limbo.
“This is not a proposal against home nurses. It is intended to protect patients as well as genuine caregivers. Most home nurses are dedicated professionals, but police verification can prevent people with criminal backgrounds from entering such a sensitive profession. The government should end the delay and implement the recommendation without further postponement,” Chandran Chamy told TNIE.
Senior police officials said implementation would require coordinated action by the home, labour, and local self-government departments. They suggested maintaining a database containing Aadhaar details, Electoral ID, photographs, recruitment agency details, and information about the households where home nurses are employed.
A top-ranked police officer said mandatory police clearance could significantly improve public safety.
“The safety of elderly and vulnerable people who depend on home nurses can be strengthened through a simple government policy. Police can verify criminal antecedents and issue police clearance certificates. Only those who receive clearance should be permitted to work as home nurses. Such a system would greatly enhance public confidence while ensuring that individuals with criminal backgrounds don’t enter this sector,” the officer said.
A retired IPS officer also supported the proposal, saying Kerala’s ageing population makes such safeguards increasingly necessary.
“I myself was searching for a home nurse to look after my ageing father just two weeks ago. That made me realise how important such a verification system is,” the retired officer said. “Background verification is a preventive measure, not a punitive one. It protects families while also safeguarding honest caregivers from suspicion whenever untoward incidents occur,” he added.
