A bill seeking the prohibition of street begging in Katsina State has scaled through second reading at the State House of Assembly on Monday.

The executive bill seeks a four-year prison term or an option of N10,000 fine for first offenders while second offenders will be repatriated to their state or local government origin.

The bill, if it becomes law, also gives legal teeth to the deportation of any street beggar who is not from Nigeria to his country.

The bill which originated from Governor Aminu Masari was first read before the House on June 30, 2021, by the Majority leader, Alhaji Abubakar Abukur.

Abukur told the house that the bill was meant to curb the menace of street begging in the state.

At the Monday plenary, the lawmakers made submissions on the bill before they unanimously allowed it to scale through the second reading.

The plenary was chaired by the Speaker, Alhaji Tasi’u Magari.

The bill was subsequently referred to the Joint House Committee on Religious Affairs and Social Development.

The committee was given six weeks to submit its report.