Municipal commissioner system
Topic: Urban Local Government: Municipalities and Cities · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
In the municipal commissioner system, a commissioner appointed by the state holds the city's executive power by law. Executive power means the power to carry out decisions and run the city. The commissioner is usually an IAS officer. The elected council and its mayor form the deliberative wing, the part that debates and decides, while the commissioner heads the executive wing. Critics say this keeps real power with the state rather than with elected city leaders.
Example
Mumbai is the classic case. Under its Act of 1888, the municipal commissioner runs the city's administration, and the council and mayor mainly deliberate.
Don't confuse with
- Mayor-in-council system: the mayor and a cabinet of councillors hold executive power, and the commissioner works under them, as in Kolkata.