A government hospital in Assam's Barpeta district will end free diagnostic services from July 1 for women with more than three children. State Assembly Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass announced the move on June 22 to align with population policies.
The First Referral Unit in Barpeta Road town made the decision after installing a new ultrasound machine. Mr. Dass, who is also the local MLA and heads the facility's management committee, said the change prevents the defeat of the state's population policy.
He requested Health Minister Ashok Singhal to extend the restriction to all government healthcare facilities statewide. The announcement followed an amendment to Assam's population policy in December 2025.
That update reinforced a two-child norm for jobs and elections but permitted up to three children for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Tea Garden Tribes, Mataks, and Morans. Officials said the measures aim to curb population growth and improve maternal health.
