Mayor-in-council system
Topic: Urban Local Government: Municipalities and Cities · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
In the mayor-in-council system, executive power lies with the mayor and a small cabinet of councillors. Executive power means the power to carry out decisions and run the city day to day. The municipal commissioner works under them. This model gives elected representatives real control over the city's administration.
Example
Kolkata has used the mayor-in-council system since its 1980 Act. The mayor and the councillors in the cabinet run the city's departments, and the commissioner reports to them.
Don't confuse with
- Municipal commissioner system: a state-appointed commissioner holds executive power by law, and the elected council only debates and decides policy. Mumbai is the standard example.