Annual Report 1999-2000 is classified as near landless, as the holding is so small as to be economically insignificant. 51%ofthe SCs are near landless while8%are landless(1991-92)and this figure is 18% points higher as compared to the total population.With little access to land and other producdve resources, the SCs constitute the major part of the population below the poverty line.^ 2.30 Estimates of poverty amongst the SCs and STs based on the 50'*" round of NSS (1993-94),show that the proportion ofpoverty among SCs is 17% points above the general category,while it is 19% higher among the STs.Thus,both SCsand STsare significantly poorer than the general category of the population, even if the gaps have narrowed somewhat in recentyears.Pbor access to better means ofproduction and productive assets,usable capital and educadon have led to persistent poverty amongst a large segment of the SC and ST population. 2.31 Article 17 ofthe Constitution abolishes'untouchability' and makes the enforcement ofany disability arising out of'untouchability'an offence punishable in accordance with law. With a view to ending discrimination based on caste,especially oWalUs,over the years certain special legislations have been adopted, notably the Untouchability Offences Act, 1955, subsequently replaced by the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1976 and the Prevention of Atrocities against SCs and STs Act, 1989. Further, in order to put an end to the degrading and offensive practice ofmanual clearing ofnightsoil,a special enactment,the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construcdon of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 was also brought into force in 1997.Since members oftheSCand ST community were the principal victims ofthe pernicious practice of bonded labour and child labour, the enactment ofthe Bonded Labour Abolition Act, 1976 and the Child Labour Abolition Act, 1986 were also significant steps in the campaign to ameliorate the condition ofSCs and STs. 2.32 Apartfrom these regulatory steps,many steps were also inidated on the developmental side for the amelioration ofthe economic conditions ofthe SCs and STs with special outlays being made,as also the earmarking offunds for special component plans, etc. If, however, the progress has not been up to expectadons, the reasons are to be found,inter alia, in the failure to improve access to educadon and the failure ofthe land reform movement in certain parts of the country. Progress on these fronts would have provided the SCs and STs access to usable capital and,most ofall, helped alter the social environmentin which discrimination has otherwise been able to persist. 2.33 Not surprisingly,in the prevailing circumstances,crimes committed againstSCs and STs remain a cause ofgreat concern.While there\vas an increase in such crimes between 1981 and 1991,there was,according to the Nadonal Crime Records Bureau Report(1998),a small reduction in the number of crimes against SCs between 1996 and 1998. The number of complaints ofatrocities against SCs and STs received and admitted by this Commission was 552 in 1997-98,436 in 1998-99 and 736in 1999-2000.In particular,complaints have been India Rural Development Report 1999, National Institute of Rural Development. 12