All the while, various government agencies have taken great pains to explain why the buck doesn't stop with them, why it is someone's headache. And all the while, the citizens of Vadodara wonder what will happen when a disaster strikes at their doorstep.

The villagers' patience is running out; they have had enough of the pigs, and have pledged violence against both pigs and breeders next time around. Never mind the fact that killing the pigs brings with it health risks.

District Development Officer Anju Sharma, who, incidentally, is yet to visit Bhayeli, claims there's little she can do since the pig-breeding istaking place within municipal limits. ``It's the gram panchayat's job,'' she adds, to remove the carcasses. ``Still, though, we sent doctors and deputed staff to remove the dead.''

Sharma's claim that the district panchayat does not have powers to control the menace is valid, but her concern is undermined by the fact that the panchayat is yet to lodge a police complaint against the pig-breeders. And while she says the VMC should do something about the problem, the district panchayat is still to formally approach the VMC.

That, however, does not absolve the VMC of its responsibility. Deputy Commissioner I B Peerzada agrees pigs are a menace; Deputy Commissioner H S Patel concedes that the pig-breeding business is unauthorised. However, the VMC has done little to check it. They had attempted it once, but ran into stiff opposition from religious organisations.

The VMC sought to tackle the problem from the branches; the roots were unchecked. Civic officials themselves say the animal tends to multiply fastand in numbers; eliminating them would not serve much purpose.

Asked why the pig-breeders had not been dealt with, Peerzada said the problem was not that simple because pigs, unlike dogs, have owners who earn a living. So, the VMC is yet to call in the pig-breeders and warn them, and it is yet to lodge a police complaint.

The police are armed with powers to act. The Indian Penal Code has sections 268, 269 and 270 dealing with offences affecting public health, but the police will not act without a complaint. Police commissioner J Mahapatra says it is the municipal corporation's job. ``Police has suo motu powers but if we start taking up every such issue, we will not be able to reach everywhere. Pig menace is the primary responsibility of civic bodies.''

And above all, the District Collector. Under Section 133 of the Criminal Procedure Code, he can supersede all other agencies and direct the VMC and the District Panchayat to take steps to stop the menace. And if they don't obey, there are provisions forthat too.

Collector Anil Mukim says he has given verbal instructions to the corporation and panchayat to find a solution. Section 133, he said, should be used if there is a total breakdown of other machinery. ``It hasn't slipped out of control so much that the Collectorate should interfere directly.''

They have the teeth; soon, they may be snapping at thin air.