Why is it in the News?

A micro turbojet engine designed and developed indigenously by Hyderabad-based firm Raghu Vamsi Machine Tools with the support of the IIT Hyderabad has been unveiled.

Key Highlights of the Micro Turbojet Engine “INDRA RV25: 240N”:

• It is an indigenous micro turbojet engine made in India.
• Its primary focus is on serving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones.
• Beyond UAVs, the engine exhibits versatile applications in air taxis, jetpacks, auxiliary power units, range extenders, and potential use in power generation for the future.
• Indigenous design and development: Engineered entirely in India by the Raghu Vamsi Machine Tools (RVMT) team of skilled engineers & supported by IIT, Hyderabad.
  • A great demonstration of the potential of Industry-Academia partnership
• Self-reliance and autonomy: By reducing reliance on imported technologies, components, and expertise, the Micro Turbojet Engine contributes to India’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in critical sectors, bolstering national security and economic resilience
• Empowering local manufacturing: The launch of the indigenous Micro Turbojet Engine not only drives technological innovation but also stimulates the growth of the domestic aerospace and defense manufacturing ecosystem, creating jobs and fostering economic growth.

What Is a Turbojet Engine and How Does It Work?

• Turbojet engines are jet engines that, like other jet engines, generate propulsion by discharging or expelling heated air.
• They feature a combustion chamber in which they burn fuel and air.
• As they burn this mixture, turbojet engines will discharge heated air.
• It can find turbojet engines in commercial airplanes, civilian airplanes, and military aircraft.

How Turbojet Engines Work?

• The process begins by drawing air through an intake.
  • Turbojet engines feature an air intake, which is typically located near the front of the engine.
  • Air will flow into this intake, at which point it will be redirected to the engine’s interior.
• After entering the engine, the air will become compressed.
  • Turbojet engines feature a set of rotating blades. Known as compressors, these rotating blades are designed to compress the air.
• The next step in the process is combustion which involves the burning of fuel and air.
  • Turbojet engines will inject fuel into the same combustion chamber where the compressed air is located.
  • A spark will then ignite the mixture of fuel and compressed air, thereby generating hot, high-pressure exhaust gas.
• The exhaust gas generated by the combustion is expelled out the rear of the turbojet engine.
  • This rearward expulsion allows for forward propulsion.
  • As the exhaust gas is discharged out the rear of the turbojet engine, the airplane will be propelled forward.

Why is it in the News?

As part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) is implementing a centrally sponsored "PM Formalisation of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme" for providing financial, technical and business support for setting up / upgradation of micro food processing enterprises in the country.

About PM Formalisation of Micro food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme:

• Launched on 29th June 2020, PMFMPE is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
• It is designed to address the challenges faced by the micro-enterprises and to tap the potential of groups and cooperatives in supporting the upgradation and formalization of these enterprises.
• Aims:
  • Enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and promote formalization of the sector; and
  • Support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain.
• Objectives:  To build the capability of microenterprises to enable:
  • Increased access to credit by existing micro food processing entrepreneurs, FPOs, Self Help Groups, and Co-operatives.
  • Integration with an organized supply chain by strengthening branding & marketing.
  • Support for the transition of existing 2,00,000 enterprises into a formal framework.
  • Increased access to common services like common processing facilities, laboratories, storage, packaging, marketing, and incubation services.
  • Strengthening of institutions, research, and training in the food processing sector; and
  • Increased access for the enterprises, to professional and technical support.
• Outlay:
  • The scheme envisages an outlay of ? 10,000 crores over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
  • The expenditure under the scheme would be shared in a 60:40 ratio between Central and State Governments, in a 90:10 ratio with the North
  • In Eastern and the Himalayan States, a 60:40 ratio with UTs with the legislature and 100% by the Center for other UTs.
• Coverage:
  • Under the scheme, 2,00,000 micro food processing units will be directly assisted with credit-linked subsidies.
  • Adequate supportive common infrastructure and institutional architecture will be supported to accelerate the growth of the sector.

What is the News ?

The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY), an inventive employment incentive scheme introduced by the Central Government, has surpassed its initial objectives for generating employment. This achievement highlights its effectiveness in promoting job creation and supporting economic recovery amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facts About:

• Launched in 2020, the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana (ABRY) was created to stimulate the creation of new job opportunities.
  • It achieves this by providing financial support to employers who are part of the Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO).
• The primary objective of this scheme is to incentivize the employment of individuals, including those who lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
• It does so by covering both the employee and employer contributions, which amounts to 24% of wages, for establishments with up to 1000 employees.
• For larger establishments with over 1000 employees, the scheme covers only the employee's EPF contributions, which is 12% of wages, in relation to new employees.
• As of July 31, 2023, the ABRY has successfully enrolled more than 7.58 million new employees, surpassing its initial target for employment generation.
• This achievement underscores its significant contribution to revitalizing the job market and supporting economic recovery during these challenging times.