Bangalore: The dark outline of their makeshift tents and their tired silhouettes are all that can be seen on the unlit street.

These migrants from Uttara Karnataka who came to Bangalore in search of a better life have spent 15 years here. But they are not officially recognised residents of the locality which means they cannot prove they live there. They do not have ration cards, voter cards or any other proof of identity or residence. They can neither vote nor avail themselves of subsidised food or State-sponsored medical benefits. Yet they exist, and are dwellers of a slum in Laggere.

The 76 households in this slum are not part of the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) of the State Government. This scheme is expected to ensure that those living below the poverty line get food grains at subsidised rates.

Shankaraiah and Manjula, a couple hailing from Raichur and now working in Bangalore as construction labourers, are eligible for "yellow cards" under TPDS.

These cards are given to families living in "declared" and "undeclared" slums in urban areas having an annual income less than Rs. 17,000.

"We buy rice at Rs. 15 a kg and kerosene at Rs. 40 a litre in the black market. We buy wood for Rs. 40 at Nelamangala and have to argue with bus drivers to transport it to our homes," says Shankaraiah.

"At the end of all these purchases, we are left with almost nothing to save or spend on any emergencies," adds Manjula.

As per the Food and Civil Supplies Department's guidelines, they are eligible to get a kilo of rice at Rs. 3.5; wheat at Rs. 2.75 a kilo; sugar at Rs. 13.5 a kilo; and a litre of kerosene for Rs. 10. Why have they not asked for ration cards yet? "We have," says Shankaraiah.

Another resident of the slum narrates how they gave about Rs. 150 to local politicians for ration and voter cards. "That was three or four years ago. And no one has turned up since then," says Manjula.

Residents of Gorguntepalya slum also have a similar story. Venkatesh says that they filled up application forms and took photos about three years ago, but they have not received ration cards yet.

But the residents here are not concerned about their not possessing ration cards. They are satisfied with voter identity cards. And they do not believe that having ration cards would solve the pressing problem of money.

Of the 47 houses in this slum, about 12 have ration cards. The others have not bothered to apply seeing the problems faced by ration card

holders to get their due.

Honnaiah, a ration card holder, says, "The owner of the fair price depot gives ration only to the person in whose name the card is. If any other family member goes, she refuses and sends them back."

"Not only that, we know that we are entitled to 10 litres of kerosene for Rs. 90, but she gives us only 8 litres. What is the use of going through all the hassles for a ration card when we do not receive what we are entitled to?" he asks.

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