Stripped of their major source of income and shunted to the outskirts of the city, these people have been running from pillar to post for basic rehabilitation facilities and compensation. But all in vain.

During eviction, residents of about 20 slums were assured by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials that they would be given land pattas and a compensation of Rs 10,000.

But nine months later, the evicted slum dwellers are left feeling high and dry.

It all began with the two civic bodies, armed with an order from the General Administration Department (GAD) and cooperation of the State police and Orissa State Armed Police, demolishing about 20 slums and at least 700 small and medium-sized shops, rendering about 10,000 families homeless and jobless.

Protesting the dilly-dallyingattitude of the BMC, BDA and State Government, nearly 3,000 agitated slum dwellers gheraoed the BMC office in early February and submitted a memorandum demanding immediate redressal of their grievances.

But despite protests, scarcity of drinking water, lack of education and communication facilities continue to plague the slum dwellers.

In a bid to save face, BMC officials had claimed in February that they had begun distribution of land pattas and compensation.

However, till March end, hardly 200 families have received compensation. Meanwhile, BDA authorities have washed their hands of the drive. ``The matter will be looked after by BMC and GAD. We can only help them in eviction of slums not in their rehabilitation,'' said a BDA official.