UPSC Prelims 2007 Q95: Current Affairs – Business & Economy
Shahgarh area in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan was in news in the year 2006 because
of which one of the following?
- (a) Finding high - quality gas reserves
- (b) Finding uranium deposit
- (c) Finding zinc deposit
- (d) Installation of wind - power units
Answer: (a) Finding high - quality gas reserves
Explanation
Shahgarh (Jaisalmer) — gas discovery, 2006
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Place | Shahgarh sub-basin, Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan |
| News (2006) | Discovery of high-quality natural gas reserves |
| Explorer | Focus Energy Ltd |
| Basin | Part of the Jaisalmer-Barmer sedimentary basin |
Rajasthan's hydrocarbon map:
| Area | Resource |
|---|---|
| Barmer | Oil — Mangala field (Cairn, 2004) |
| Jaisalmer | Gas — Shahgarh, Tanot, Dandewala |
| Bikaner | Heavy oil, lignite |
Answer: (a) Finding high-quality gas reserves.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Shahgarh, Jaisalmer was in the news in 2006 for natural gas finds by Focus Energy.
- (b) Incorrect. Rajasthan's uranium is linked to areas like Rohil (Sikar), not Shahgarh.
- (c) Incorrect. Rajasthan's zinc comes from Zawar, Rampura Agucha (Udaipur-Bhilwara belt).
- (d) Incorrect. Jaisalmer has wind parks, but Shahgarh's 2006 news was about gas.
Key point
Shahgarh (Jaisalmer) = gas (2006, Focus Energy). Barmer = oil (Mangala, Cairn).
Remember
Shahgarh (Jaisalmer) made news in 2006 for natural gas.
Common mistakes
- Choosing wind power because Jaisalmer is famous for wind farms.
- Mixing up Barmer (oil) with Jaisalmer (gas).
- Linking all Rajasthan mineral news to zinc (Zawar) or uranium.
Exam tip
Rajasthan basin pair: Barmer = Oil, Jaisalmer = Gas.
Sources
- Directorate General of Hydrocarbons — Rajasthan basin
- Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas — Annual Report 2006-07
- NCERT Class X — Contemporary India II, Ch 5