Synopsis This book is a scholarly critique of local self government focusing on Mumbai, India's urban prima. The story of the evolution of civic administration in the city since 1872 gives the much needed backdrop to comprehend the intricacies of running the mega city. With the authors' deep insight into civic governance right from the grassroots level and the academic inputs to substantiate the systems and concepts, make the book invaluable to researchers, students of public administration, other local self government bodies and institutions, trade and industry and of course to the general public. Systems of civic governance, exhaustive rules, regulations and notifications are all detailed and explained in the book with clarity and authenticity. How the MCGM raises its own resources to maintain efficient water supply, public health services or sewer system, run schools, hospitals and medical colleges, look after markets and parks, dispose of solid wastes are all explained with illustrations. The book infact has not left any aspect of civic administration untouched.