STATE OF KERALA vs ALEX GEORGE .

The Supreme Court addressed the interpretation of Section 1(2) of the Kerala Finance Act, 1987, which amended the Kerala Plantations Tax Act, 1960. The Court held that the revised tax rates introduced by the Kerala Finance Act were applicable from the commencement of the financial year 1987-88, affirming the High Court's decision in M.J. Vijaya Padman v. The State of Kerala. The Court clarified that the amendment aimed to implement budget proposals and thus upheld the assessment order against the firm E.K. Mathew & Brothers, confirming the tax rates for the specified periods.