RAMESH CHAND BANSAL vs DISTT.MAGISTRATE/COLLECTOR .

The Supreme Court addressed the validity of a circular issued under sub-Rule (a) of Rule 340-A of the U.P. Stamp Rules, 1942, which allowed the Collector to enhance circle rates by 20% for the subsequent year. The Court held that the Collector has the authority to fix different rates for different years, rejecting the appellants' argument that the term 'biennially' implies a fixed rate for two years. The appeal was dismissed, affirming the High Court's ruling that the circular was within the Collector's competence.