this is finance bill language in this regard
"87A. An assessee, being an individual resident in India, whose total income does not exceed
five hundred thousand rupees, shall be entitled to a deduction, from the amount of income-tax (as
computed before allowing the deductions under this Chapter) on his total income with which he is
chargeable for any assessment year, of an amount equal to hundred per cent. of such income-tax or
an amount of two thousand rupees, whichever is less.”.
In my opinion.
The language suggests that it is a deduction from Income tax payable, so if liability of a person is up to Rs 2000, he is not liable to any tax in the credit of goverment.