Supertech Ltd.

According to a complaint filed with the apex consumer commission by south Delhi residents Reshma Bhagat and her son Tarun Bhagat, they had made a payment of Rs 63, 99,727 to Supertech Ltd in 2008 for a luxurious flat in Greater Noida and the flat’s possession was to be given by December, 2009 which the company failed to honour.

The realty firm had scheduled to deliver its possession to the complainant in 2009 and when it did not construct the house, the Bhagats approached the consumer commission for redressal, the complaint said.

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC), presided by Justice J M Malik, ruled that the firm Supertech Ltd. has to pay Rs 63, 99,727 to the complainants. Non-Resident Indians, who return to the country “every now and then”, can purchase a house in India, the apex consumer commission said while directing Supertech Ltd to compensate the NRI mother & son for denying possession of their  flat in Uttar Pradesh.

However, the firm had opposed the complaint, claiming that the flat was booked in the name of Tarun, an NRI, and it was not for residing purpose but solely to earn profits. Hence, he could not claim to be a ‘consumer’ himself.

Rejecting the disputation of Supertech, the NCDRC said “it cannot be made a ‘rule of thumb’ that an NRI cannot own a property in India. Most of the NRIs have to return to their native land. Each NRI wants a house in India. He (Tarun) is an independent person and can purchase any house in India, in his own name.”

The complainants had approached the commission seeking Rs 1.40 crore from the realty firm, including interest and other damages.

First it started with smart phones, smart watches and now we have the new trend prevalent in the market boasting about smart homes. This is what many would have seen in Issac Aminov’s Sci-fi series and Jules Verne inspired movies. Even though the concept of these homes is fairly new in Indian and still gaining the required momentum, this concept was developed around 1980s in USA.

What is the scope of the smart homes?

According to recent report published by NY based agency, by 2017, there will be around 8 millions smart home systems in USA. As per the Director of Supertech Ltd, Mohit, even in India, a CAGR of 29.5% will be seen between 2013 and year 2020. In India, this can be attributed to various initiatives as well as energy costs. The main aim of these home systems is to make like simpler along with safety and comfort. So how exactly these smart homes can improve our life: Residential properties in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and in other metro cities are in demand due to smart home concept and their facilities.

Automated doors on your finger tips:

Automated doors can be operated with the help of smart card; this can also be installed for even drawing curtains in homes, similar to the systems in many of the high end restaurant, and the door is operable with the sense of the individual’s presence. These systems can even be remotely operated with the help of internet of WAP. Home security will no longer be an issue as an alert system can be placed.

Control the lights with your moods:

The light control system enables the home owner to either, make the light dim or even switch off as required. The light sensor will enable the owner to change the brightness of light based on their moods.

Save energy and contribute towards better green footprints:

These systems can be remotely operated through mobile; washing machine can be used during off peak hours, using coffee makers only certain part of the day. These systems interconnect all the functions of the home and enable the user to control it through one touch. This machine to machine technology will help in saving energy by using appliances at the right time.

Demand of smart homes in India:

Currently the demand for smart homes has increased in the metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore etc. As of now, the price of installation of these smart home systems is the main factor affecting its demand. A fully automated home can easily cost around Rs 2 crores.

Go green factor and energy costs are increasing and as well as the demands of these home systems. Today every individual is connected through internet and looking for effective use of energy. Flats in Mumbai are on high demand due to better facility and ROI. From the above we can clearly understand that smart homes are matter of choice and depend on the individual’s affordability. At the end it is the matter of conserving and optimizing the use of energy and what better than having a smart home which does all this along with enhancing the lifestyle.