Many municipal corporations which are headed by mayors, till the early 1990s were under the full control of the local governments with little functional, financial and administrative autonomy to the mayors. However, with the introduction of The 74th Amendment Act of 1992 made provision for the urban local bodies (ULB) as self-governing institutions. Since it came into operation in April 1993, many salutary provisions were made in the Act with positive outcomes. However steps are being taken to dilute the powers of the local governments and heads of corporations or Mayors to have complete control of urban local bodies. A mayor of a city though formally elected from amongst the corporators holds a ceremonial post and
Municipal commissioner of Corporation and his staff who are drawn from the IAS cadre and appointed by the state government controls The executive, financial and administrative powers in the corporation. == Election and tenure ==