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3.9 EMPOWERMENT OF THE SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED GROUPS

INTRODUCTION

3.9.1 The Government has special concern and commitment for the well-being of the Socially Disadvantaged Groups viz., the Scheduled Castes (SCs), the Scheduled Tribes (STs), the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the Minorities, as they still continue to lag behind the rest of the society due to their social and economic backwardness. These Groups, which have passed through the processes of welfare and development during the past four and a half developmental decades, will now be empowered to act as agents of socio-economic change and development.

3.9.2 According to the 1991 Census, the Scheduled Castes account for 138.22 million, representing 16.48 per cent of the country's total population. Of these, 81 per cent live in rural areas. There has been an increase in the percentage of SC population to the total population from 15.28 in 1981 to 16.48 in 1991, with a decadal growth rate of 3.20 per cent during 1981-91. They are dispersed all over the country, except in one State and two UTs viz., Nagaland, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Uttar Pradesh alone, being the largest State, accounts for 21.05 per cent of the total SC population. Nearly 84 per cent of the country's total SC population live in 10 States viz., Andhra Pradesh (7.66%), Bihar (9.09%), Karnataka (5.33%), Kerala (2.09%), Madhya Pradesh (6.96%), Maharashtra (6.34%), Rajasthan (5.50%), Tamil Nadu (7.75%), Uttar Pradesh (21.18%) and West Bengal (11.63%). In a few States, the SCs constitute more than 20 per cent of the total of their respective population. These include - Punjab (28.31%), Himachal Pradesh (25.34%), West Bengal (23.62%) and Uttar Pradesh (21.05%).

3.9.3. The Scheduled Tribes account for 67.76 million or 8.08 per cent of country's total population. Of these, 1.32 million (1.95%) are primitive tribes. The STs too, have shown a decadal growth rate of 3.12 per cent during the period 1981-91. The actual increase in the percentage of ST population was from 7.53 in 1981 to 8.08 in 1991. The STs inhabit in all the States except Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, Delhi and Pondicherry. The highest concentration of ST population is found in the north-eastern States of Mizoram (94.75%), Nagaland (87.70%), Meghalaya (85.53%) and Arunachal Pradesh (63.66%) and in the UTs of Lakshadweep (93.15%) and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (78.99%), while there are high concentrations in the States of Madhya Pradesh (23.27%), Orissa (22.21%), Gujarat (14.92%), Maharashtra (9.27%) and Bihar (7.66%).

3.9.4 The Other Backward Classes, as per the Government of India's Notification dated 8th September 1993, would comprise Castes and Communities which are found common in the List of the Mandal Commission and in the Lists of the individual State Governments. In the absence of specific Census data, it is not possible to quote the exact figure of their population. However, the Mandal Commission made a rough estimate of OBCs constituting 52 per cent of the country's total population.

3.9.5 The Minorities, who constitute 145.31 million (17.17%), as per 1991 Census, represent Muslim, Christian, Sikh, Buddhist and Zorastrian communities. While the Muslims are mainly concentrated in Jammu and Kashmir (J and K), Lakshadweep, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Christians are predominantly inhabited in the north-eastern States of Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Manipur, besides Goa, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Daman and Diu. The Sikhs are mainly found in the northern States/UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Chandigarh. The Buddhist population is mainly found in Sikkim, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Although Zorastrians are numerically negligible, they are found in sizeable numbers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, besides Delhi and Daman and Diu.

3.9.6. Recognising the special needs of these weaker sections, the Constitution of India not only guarantees them equality before the law (Article 14) but also enjoins the State to make special provisions of affirmative discrimination for the advancement of any socially and educationally backward classes or for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Article 15(4)). It also empowers the State to make provision for reservation in appointments or posts in favour of any backward class citizens (Article 16(4)).

3.9.7 The Constitution of India also states categori-cally that `untouchability' is abolished and its practice in any form is forbidden (Article 17). Further, it enjoins the State to promote with special care the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people and, in particular, of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes and promises to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation (Article 46). For promoting the welfare of STs and for raising the level of administration of the Scheduled Areas to that of the rest of the State (Article 244), special financial assistance is ensured under Constitution (Article 275(1)). Reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the democratic institutions (Article 330 and 332), educational institutions and in services (Article 335) is another measure of positive discrimination in favour of these Groups. It empowers the State to appoint a Commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes (Article 340) and to specify the Castes and Tribes to be deemed as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Articles 341 and 342). With regard to the welfare and development of Minorities, the Constitution incorporated certain safeguards to recognise their rights in conserving their culture and establish and administer educational institutions of their choice (Articles 29 and 30). Like-wise, a number of constitutional provisions exist for protection and promotion of the interests of these Socially Disadvantaged Groups.

3.9.8 The constitutional commitments made in favour of these Socially Disadvantaged Groups prompted the policy makers and the planners to accord high priority for the welfare and development of these groups right from the beginning of the country's developmental planning, launched in 1951. During the Fifties, the general developmental programmes were so designed as to cater adequately to the backward classes. Efforts were also made to ensure that the benefits of economic development accrued more and more to the relatively less privileged classes of the society in order to reduce inequalities. Keeping in view the five principles of the `Panchsheel', the process of tribal development was also initiated on the basis of respect and understanding of tribal culture and traditions, besides appreciation of their social, psychological and economic problems. Opening of the 43 Special Multi-Purpose Tribal Blocks during the Fifties which, were renamed later as Tribal Development Blocks, marked the beginning of the concerted efforts in the field of tribal development. During the Sixties, attempts were made to bring about greater equality of opportunities, reduction in disparities in income and wealth and a more even distribution of economic power amongst these backward sections. The developmental programmes were gradually diverted towards the basic goal of achieving a rapid increase in the standard of living of these people through measures which promoted equality and social justice.

3.9.9 During the Seventies, the expectation that the general development programmes would cater to the needs of these weaker sections and the innovative programmes of the Backward Classes Sector would provide the much needed thrust as an additive to the general efforts was belied. Further, the special provisions for the welfare and development o f the backward classes, instead of supplementing, began to supplant the general sector provisions. It was in this context that the two innovative strategies of the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for STs and the Special Component Plan (SCP) for SCs, were launched during 1974 and 1979 respectively. These two special strategies were expected to ensure that all the general development sectors, both at the Central and State levels, earmark funds for SCs and STs in proportion to their population so that adequate benefits from all the concerned sectors flow to these two disadvantaged groups.

3.9.10  In support of these two special strategies of SCP and TSP, the Government of India has also been extending Special Central Assistance (SCA) to the States and the UTs, as an additive to fill up the gaps, especially in the family-based income generating programmes. As a result, there has been a substantial increase in the flow of funds for the development of SCs and STs besides enlargement of the share of benefits for SCs and STs under all the development programmes. However, to ensure a focussed attention in improving the lot of these Groups, an exclusive Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment was set up in 1985. Consequently, all the hitherto scattered programmes of SCs, STs, OBCs and Minorities were brought under one single umbrella during the Nineties and were put into effective operation with the ultimate objective of achieving the constitutional commitment of raising the status of these disadvantaged groups on par with the rest of the society.

CURRENT SITUATION

3.9.11 The impact of various developmental plans, policies and programmes has brought forth a perceptible improvement in the socio-economic status of SCs and STs. A review of the important achievements quantified through various developmental Indicators and the serious gaps that exist till today under the three core sectors of education, employment and economic development, projects the current status of SCs and STs, as detailed in Table 3.9.1.

Educational Development

3.9.12  Although, there has been a visible increase in the literacy rates of SCs and STs during the last three developmental decades, the gap between the literacy rates of SCs/STs and those of the general population still persists. Further, the gap between the general population and STs, when compared to the gap between SCs and other general categories was found to be widening, decade after decade. Adding to this are the problems of intra and inter-State and intra and inter-community variations in the literacy rates amongst SCs and STs.

 		Table 3.9.1
                      Literacy Rates of  SCs and STs - The Gains and the Gaps
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category                    1971           1981          1991    % age 
                                                                 Increase  of
                                                                 1991 over 1971
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 - General Population                                                                 
    including SC/ST)        29.45          36.23         52.21    77.28      
 - Scheduled Castes         14.67          21.38         37.41   155.01     
 - Scheduled Tribes         11.30          16.35         29.60   161.95 
 - Gap  between  SCs                                                            
   and the General                                                              
    Population.             14.78          14.85         14.80    0.14  
- Gap between STs
      and the General		
     Population              18.15          19.88         22.61  24.5

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.9.13 Similarly, `Female Literacy', which is an important indicator in the field of education, has also shown a progressive trend in respect of both SCs and STs, as given in Table 3.9.2.

  Table 3.9.2
Female Literacy Rates of SCs, STs and General Population
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Category                              1971      1981        1991*
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Female Literacy Rates
All Communities including
 	SC/ST		               21.97	29.85	   39.29		
Scheduled Castes		       6.44     10.93      23.76
Scheduled Tribes		       4.85     8.04      18.19
GAP
Gap between  female lite-
  	racy rate of SCs and of 
  	All communities               15.53	18.92	   15.53
Gap betweeen female lite-
 	racy rate of STs and of
 	All communities               17.12	21.81	   21.10
------------------------------------------------------------------

* Excludes 0-6 age group.; Source : Educational Development of SCs and STs, Department of Education, 1995

3.9.14 The data reveals that the female literacy rates in respect of SCs and STs have increased substantially from 6.44 per cent and 4.85 per cent in 1971 to 23.76 per cent and 18.19 per cent in 1991, respectively. Besides, the most encouraging sign was the increase in the female literacy rate amongst SCs and STs and the reducing gap between the female literacy rates of SCs and of the general population during 1981 to 1991. However, the female literacy rates of these communities as a whole continued to be very low requiring focussed attention.

3.9.15 The enrolment ratios of SC and ST girls and boys have continued to show a progressive trend along with the rest of the population. The other revealing factor was the better pace of progress maintained by STs at primary level (43.0%) over SCs (29.7%), especially that of ST girls (49.0%) over SC girls (37.3%) during 1981 to 1996. Above all, the overall progress made by SCs and STs in terms of enrolment ratios at primary and middle levels between 1980-81 and 1995-96 has been impressive, as they could prove much better than the general population.

 Table 3.9.3
Gross Enrolment Ratios of SCs  and  STs and  General Population
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Levels/        Gen. Population       Scheduled Castes        Scheduled Tribes
Years         ----------------------- --------------------- ------------------
                Boys  Girls   Total     Boys  Girls   Total    Boys Girls  Total   
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1980-81                                                   
I-V
(6-11 Yrs)     95.8   64.1   80.5       105.4  57.8   82.2     94.2    45.9   70.0 
VI-VIII                                                             
(11-14 Yrs )  54.3  28.6   41.9        41.4   16.2   29.1      28.2    10.8   19.5 
1990-91                                                     
I-V                                                                 
(6-11Yrs)     114.0   85.5  100.1     122.7   80.6  102.2      126.8   78.6  103.4
VI-VIII         
(11-14 Yrs)   76.6    47.0   62.1      61.4   33.3   47.7      51.3     27.5  39.7
1995-96                                                     
I-V                                                                 
(6-11 Yrs)   114.5   93.3   104.3    127.6   95.1  111.9       30.0   94.9   113.0
VI-VIII
(11-14 Yrs)   79.5   54.9    67.6    74.9   46.8    61.3      61.6    37.6    50.0 
Pace of Progress 
I-V           18.7   29.2    23.8      22.2   37.3    29.7    35.8    49.0    43.0
(Primary level)
VI-VIII       25.2   26.3    25.7     33.5   30.6    32.2     33.4    26.8    30.5
(Middle level)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source : Selected Education Statistics, 1995-96, Department of Education, New Delhi.

3.9.16 The drop-out rate, which is a crucial indicator in the field of education also reveals that there has been a steady decline in the drop-out rates of SCs and STs as given in Table 3.9.4.

                               			 Table 3.9.4
  		Drop-Out Rates amongst SCs and STs at various stages of  Education
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Category          (Classes I-V)      (Classes I-VIII)          (Classes I-X)  
------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------
                     1980-81   1989-90   1980-81   1990-91   1980-81   1990-91
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   GENERAL    58.70    48.08       72.70       63.40       82.46       71.34 
      SC      60.16    49.03      76.84        72.09       86.91       80.58 
      ST      75.66    63.81       86.71       80.10       91.18       86.00 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source: Educational Development of SCs and STs (1995) and Unpublished Data of the Department of Education.
Note : 1. Since the latest data on the drop-out rates of SCs and STs is available only for 1990-91, data for General Population was also used for the same year For effective comparison.
2. Figures for 1990-91 in respect of SCs and STs are not available for primary level.

3.9.17 The problem of drop-outs, as the above data reveal, happens to be a common feature amongst SCs, STs and other general category also. While all the three categories have been showing a decreasing trend during the decade 1981-91, the problem appears to be the worst with regard to STs with a very high drop-out rate of 86 per cent for classes I to X during 1990-91. The gap between the general population and these two categories also appears to be on an increase, while the same is comparatively wider in respect of STs.

3.9.18 The health and nutrition status of the socially disadvantaged groups, especially that of the SCs and STs continues to be one of the major concerns of the Government, as these communities live mostly in such areas which are neglected, remote, inaccessible and are endemic with diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, Yaws etc. Keeping their special and specific needs, the Government has been paying special attention by setting up Primary Health Care institutions with relaxed norms. However, a review of the existing situation reveals that the health and nutrition status of these special groups needs priority attention in the Ninth Plan.

Economic Development

3.9.19 The major strategy of creating employment-cum-income generating activities to alleviate poverty amongst the SCs and the STs has proved its impact in raising a large number of SC and ST families from the level of `Below Poverty Line' during the decade between 1983-84 and 1993-94, as quantified in Table 3.9.5.

  Table 3.9.5     
  	 Percentage of Population Living Below Poverty Line
    -------------------------------------------------------
    Category          1983-84     1993-94       Percentage       
                                                Decrease.
   --------------------------------------------------------
    General              44.48      35.97      (-)   8.51          
    SCs                  57.60      48.37      (-)   9.23        
    STs                  63.14      51.14      (-)  12.00
   -------------------------------------------------------

Source : Perspective Planning Division, Planning Commission, New Delhi.
Note : The aggregate poverty ratio of SC and ST population 1983-84 has been worked out as a weighted average of rural and urban poverty ratio using 1981 Census population of the respective Groups in rural and urban areas as weights. In a similar way, 1991 Census population is used to obtain aggregate poverty ratio for these two groups in 1993-94.

3.9.20 In respect of both SCs and STs, besides the general population, the percentage of the number of families living below the poverty line has shown a declining trend over the decade 1983-84 to 1993-94. Despite a reduction in the percentage of the population living below poverty line, the incidence of poverty amongst SCs and STs continues to be very high, when compared to the general population, the reasons being that a majority of the Scheduled Castes (77.11%) and Scheduled Tribes (90.03%) are landless with no productive assets and are devoid of sustainable employment and minimum wages, and women belonging to these Groups who live not only below the poverty line, but in abject/extreme poverty, are denied of both minimum and equal wages.

Participation of SCs and STs in Administration and Decision Making

3.9.21 Participation of SCs and STs in the administration and decision-making is yet another indicator of the positive impact of developmental planning on the status of SCs and STs. The same can be seen from their representation in the Government especially at the senior level of Group A posts, where decisions are taken.

3.9.22 The total representation of SCs in services covering A to D Groups has risen from 13.66 per cent in 1974 to 16.9 per cent in 1994, which, in fact, is more than their legitimate share of 16.5 per cent. In the case of STs, although their participation in administration has increased from 2.81 per cent in 1974 to 5.48 per cent in 1994, they are yet to reach their proportionate representation of 8.08 per cent. The increasing participation of SCs and STs in Group `A' Services, that is - SCs from 3.25 per cent in 1974 to 10.25 per cent in 1994 and STs from a mere 0.57 per cent in 1974 to 2.92 per cent in 1994, directly reflects the impact of various affirmative measures taken in bringing them into the mainstream. At the same time, the data also reveal the gaps that need to be bridged with effective interventions, if these groups have to be brought on par with the general population, especially in respect of Group A Posts, the level at which the decision-making takes place.

 Table 3.9.6
               Representation of SCs and STs in Services (1974 to 1994)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category                             Group of Service                      Total    
                              	-------------------------------------      
                          A           B              C           D            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(As on 1.1.1974)                                             
Total                    33672      52343       1566796      1242548      2895359
SC                        1094       2401        161775       230203       395473
                         (3.25)    (4.59)       (10.33)      (18.53)      (13.66) 
ST                         155        258         33383        47679        81475 
                         (0.57)     (0.49)       (2.13)       (3.84)       (2.81) 
(As on 1.1.84)                                               
Total                      -          -            -           -          3303342 
 SC                        -          -            -           -           527573
(15.97)                                                                           
 ST                        -          -            -           -           149391
 (4.52)         
(As on 1.1.94)  
Total                    59016       103198    2381613     1023285      3567112
SC                        6046        12442     374758      209423       602670 
                        (10.25)      (12.06)    (15.73)     (20.46)      (16.90)
ST                        1727         2902     128228       62945       195802 
                     	 (2.92)       (2.81)     (5.38)      (6.15)       (5.48) 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source : Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Annual Report, 1994.
Note : Figures in parenthesis indicate percentage of SCs and STs to the total population.

3.9.23 Affirmative discrimination through reservation for SCs and STs in the Lok Sabha and the State Legislative Assemblies evidently establishes the growing strength of SCs and STs not only in terms of their participation in the democratic processes of the country since independence, but also their representation in the political decision-making institutions of Parliament, Legislative Assemblies, local bodies, Panchayats etc. In the 1996 elections, their representation in the Lok Sabha accounted for 19.52 per cent (13.01% for SCs + 6.51% for STs).

Implementation of SCP, TSP and SCA to SCP and TSP

3.9.24 The implementation of the special strategies of the Special Component Plan (SCP) for SCs, Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) for STs and the Special Central Assistance (SCA) to SCP and TSP, has been receiving special attention, since their inception, as these are effective instruments to ensure proportionate flow of funds for SCs and STs from the other general development sectors. In respect of the Special Plan Component Plan(SCP), the situation at the Central level was not found to be very encouraging as the earmarking of funds was adhered to only by 13 Ministries/Departments viz. Labour, Education, Science and Technology, Industry, Textiles, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, Commerce, Fertilisers, Rural Development, Non-conventional Energy Sources and Agriculture and Cooperation. At the State level, 21 States viz., Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal; and 3 UTs viz. Chandigarh, Delhi and Pondicherry were earmarking funds for SCP. Of these, 18 States/UTs have been maintaining separate Budget Heads for SCP to ensure proper quantification of funds and their effective utilisation for the purpose they were meant for. The rest were being pursued to emulate the same system as it helps prevent the diversion of funds. During the Eighth Plan, the flow of funds for SCP under the Central and State sectors by the end of 1996-97 was estimated to be 27.8 per cent and 10.8 per cent respectively, against the total SC population proportion of 16.48 per cent.

3.9.25 Under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), 17 Central Ministries/ Departments viz., Agriculture, Cooperation, Education, Health, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Food, Women and Child Development, Youth Affairs, Commerce, Textiles, Labour, Environment and Forest, Science and Technology, Rural Development, Non-conventional Energy Sources, Information and Broadcasting, Industry and Communications, have been earmarking the funds. At the State level, earmarking of funds for TSP has been in operation in respect of 18 States viz., Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Orissa, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal; and 2 UTs viz., Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Daman and Diu. The flow of funds under TSP from the Central and State sectors during the Eighth Plan was around 8.0 per cent and 9.79 per cent, respectively against the population proportion of 8.08 per cent.

3.9.26 The Special Central Assistance (SCA) to States/UTs, as an additive to SCP and TSP, was enhanced during the Eighth Plan so as to strengthen the efforts of States in filling up the gaps under the family-based income generation projects. The SCA to SCP was enhanced from Rs.930 crore in the Seventh Plan to Rs.1125 crore in the Eighth Plan, indicating 21 per cent increase. Similarly, the SCA to TSP was also enhanced from Rs.756 crore in the Seventh Plan to Rs.1250 crore in the Eighth Plan, showing a rise by 65 per cent. The details of the flow of funds from he Central and the State Sectors to SCP for SCs, TSP for STs and the SCA to SCP and TSP, during the Seventh and the Eighth Five Year Plans, are given in Table 3.9.7.

                                                             Table 3.9.7
Flow of Funds through SCP, TSP and SCA during Seventh and Eighth Plans  
                                                             					 (Rs. in Crore)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Sl.   Items                   		  Seventh Plan         Eighth Plan                 Percentage 
No.                            		    (1985-90)                (1992-97)                     over Col.4
                                		 -------------------         ---------------------------     
                                     		  Flow of funds       Outlay*     Flow of  
                                                                             funds
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)           (2)                                      (3)                     (4)           (5)                   (6)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A.Special Component Plan (SCP)  for SCs.                         
-  Flow from Central Plan                625.09               37687      10471.00              27.78
   (in respect of 13 Ministries/ Departments)
-  Flow from State Plan                 7385.42         202850.19     21921.53               10.81
   (in respect of 24 States/UTs)  
B.Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP)  for STs                                         
-  Flow from Central Plan                N.A.              68924.14      5516.56                8.00
   (in respect of 17 Ministries/ Departments) 
-  Flow from State Plan                  6216.76         174245.02    17061.93               9.79
  (in respect of 20 States/UTs)                                                                  
C.Special Central Assistance
    (SCA) to SCP and TSP                
-  SCA to SCP                                  930.00                -          1125.00                 -
-  SCA to TSP                                  756.00                -          1250.00                 -
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source : Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.; * Includes the outlays of the Eighth Plan in respect of only those Ministries/Departments and States/UTs which were earmarking funds under SCP and TSP.

3.9.27 Despite the fact that both the strategies of SCP and TSP have been in operation for more than fifteen years, they could not influence all those concerned towards the right perspective. Further, lack of effective monitoring to ensure that all these concerned earmark funds under SCP and TSP and that the funds received under SCP, TSP and SCA are utilised both effectively and purposefully is another area of concern in this regard.

Crimes/Atrocities against SCs and STs

3.9.28 Besides the IPC, the Protection of Civil Rights (PCR) Act of 1955 and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act of 1989, are the two major legal instruments which help prevent/control the atrocities against SCs and STs. Under these Acts, as many as 434 Special Courts/Mobile Courts were set up in 7 States. In addition, Special Cells/Squads/Officers have also been appointed in 19 States to ensure effective implementation of the Act. In accordance with the PCR Act of 1955, special legal aid was also extended to the victims of untouchability and other crimes through Special Officers who ensured effective implementation of the Act, besides extending support for social and economic rehabilitation of the SC/ST victims. The crimes committed against SCs and STs vis-a-vis the general population as reported by the National Crimes Record Bureau, New Delhi, are indicated in Table 3.9.8.

                       						 Table 3.9.8 
        Crimes Against SCs and STs during 1994 to 1996(Figures in '000)  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Year     Total    Crimes  against Scheduled Castes and  Scheduled Tribes
           Crime      SCs                    STs                          Total 
	    In    ------------------   -------------------     --------------------
    	   India      S.L     Total*     S.L      Total*         S.L       Total*   
                                                             (Col.3+5)  (Col.4+6)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (1)      (2)        (3)      (4)        (5)       (6)          (7)        (8)     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1994     5510       16.67     33.91     1.38      5.02         18.05       38.93
                               (0.62)             (0.09)                    (0.71) 
 1995      6000       15.45    33.00     1.55      5.50         17.00       38.50   
                               (0.55)             (0.09)                    (0.64) 
 1996      5630       11.04    31.44     0.83      4.97         11.87       36.41   
(Prov.)                        (0.56)             (0.09)                    (0.64)   
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Source : The Crime in India : 1994 and 1995; 1996: Provisional National Crime Records Bureau, Govt. of India, New Delhi. (Prov.): Provisional
SL : Refers to crimes registered under the Special Laws (SL), viz. PCR Act,1955 and the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
* : Figures in parenthesis (Col.4, 6 and 8) indicate the percentage of total crime against SCs and STs in the total number of crimes in India (Col.2).

3.9.29 As per the data given above, the number of crimes against SCs and STs, has started declining from 38,927 in 1994 to 36,413 in 1996. However, the share of the crime against SCs and STs in the total crime in the country between 1995 and 1996 remained the same. The number of crimes committed which are covered under the Special Laws viz., PCR Act of 1955 and the Prevention of Atrocities Act of 1989, have also shown a declining trend as they have come down from 18,048 in 1994 to 11,863 in 1996. This can no doubt, be attributed to the effective implementation of the two Special Legislations under which Mobile Courts/Special Courts, Special Squads were set up and Special Officers were appointed. Amongst the various types of crimes committed against SCs and STs, those covered under PCR Act in respect of SCs and those under POA Act in respect of STs continued to be on a high side, besides rape, murder, arson and kidnap and abduction between 1994 and 1996.

3.9.30 The OBCs and the Minorities have emerged as distinct target groups in the recent past seeking definite developmental interventions. In the case of the OBCs, the schemes introduced in the Eighth Plan include the National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC) and Pre-Examination Coaching Centres. Since these measures were recently introduced, their impact could not be assessed at this stage. Although no specific information is available on the status of OBCs, it is apparent that a majority of them live below the poverty line, possess no assets and are engaged in low-income traditional occupations like handloom weaving, pottery, fishing, blacksmithy etc. Unless the harsh conditions in which the OBCs live and work are altered, it would not be possible for them to secure economic self-reliance either in their traditional activities or in other diverse activities.

3.9.31 Just as in the case of the OBCs, the impact of various developmental measures in respect of the Minorities also could not be assessed in view of the short span that they have been in operation. However, the general conditions reveal that the Minorities, especially the Muslims, their women and girl children, remain educationally very backward and their traditional institutions like Madarsas are yet to adopt the modern syllabus to get integrated into the mainstream education. A large number of the Minorities and the OBCs continue to depend upon the low-income traditional artisanship and other similar occupations.

STRATEGY FOR THE NINTH PLAN

3.9.32 The Ninth Plan commits to empower the SCs, STs, OBCs and Minorities as the agents of socio-economic change and development. Therefore, a major shift is visualised in the approach as it envisages advancement of these socially disadvantaged groups through a process of `empowerment', wherein efforts will be made to create an enabling environment that is conducive for them to exercise their rights freely, enjoy their privileges and be able to lead a life of self confidence and dignity along with the other citizens of the country. Thus, the empowerment of these Groups, as envisaged, will be a long-drawn process, with support policies and programmes directed towards empowering the Socially Disadvantaged Groups to be the active partners and partakers of the country's development rather than continuing as passive recipients of various developmental benefits.

3.9.33 The approach towards empowering these Groups in the Ninth Plan will be holistic in nature so as to accomplish all-round development of these weaker sections with an inter-sectoral approach and inputs from both the governmental and the non-governmental agencies. In the Ninth Plan, efforts will continue to extend all assistance to SCs, STs and OBCs to ensure speedy socio-economic development through qualitative concern and quantitative substance in every measure undertaken, especially in removing the disparities, eliminating exploitation and suppression. Thus, these vulnerable groups, particularly the SCs and the STs will not only be protected, but will be ensured of the developmental benefits reaching the unreached, bringing about equitable distribution and growth with social justice.

3.9.34 For this, the most effective instrument which provides a special cushion for these categories in meeting their basic needs is the Special Plan of Action of 1998. In this direction, efforts are being initiated to fill the critical gaps in providing the basic minimum services to those living below the poverty line. These special efforts are expected to ensure that every habitation with concentration of these Groups will have access to potable drinking water, nutrition supplements with both macro and micro nutrients, primary health care services, primary education facilities, sanitation and housing for the shelterless poor.

3.9.35 While formulating/implementing programmes for these Groups, the Ninth Plan will strive to ensure `People-Centred Development' and `People's Participation' with effective involvement of Panchayati Raj Institutions, in pursuance of the recent Constitutional (73rd and 74th) Amendments. Immediate steps will also be taken for the devolution of financial as well as administrative powers to the local self-governments, so that the marginalised groups will also get the opportunities to participate not only in formulating the need-based programmes but also in their effective implementation, supervision and monitoring. This will not only go a long way in empowering these Groups but will also ensure that the implementation of various developmental programmes is carried out in the true sense of co-operative federalism.

3.9.36 In the context of adopting the special strategy of `Women's Component Plan' in the Ninth Plan, action will be taken by the nodal Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to earmark funds/benefits under all its programmes exclusively for women belonging to these socially disadvantaged groups who are the worst affected as they are generally living in extreme poverty.

3.9.37 In the Ninth Plan, the vital ongoing programmes for the advancement of these socially disadvantaged groups will be streamlined, strengthened and enriched to accomplish the unfinished task of bringing these sections on par with the rest of the society. Simultaneously, new measures, wherever necessary, will be initiated to accelerate the process of empowering these weaker sections. Empowerment of these groups will, therefore, be attempted in an integrated manner, essentially encompassing the three vital and inter-related components viz., i) Social Empowerment; ii) Economic Empowerment; and iii) Social Justice.

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