Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — 3 and 4 only

After the 1991 economic liberalization, rural India underwent structural changes with the expansion of non-farm sectors and a relative slowdown in rural employment growth. Statements 3 and 4 correctly capture these post-liberalization trends, while Statements 1 and 2 misrepresent the actual outcomes.

✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Rural non-farm economy growth expanded significantly post-1991 as diversification into manufacturing, construction, retail, and services provided alternative income sources beyond agriculture.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Worker productivity increased in both urban and rural areas after liberalization; it did not decrease in rural areas despite sectoral shifts.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The percentage share of rural areas in the workforce steadily decreased (not increased) as rural-to-urban migration accelerated due to better employment opportunities in industrial and service sectors.

✅ Statement 4 – Correct: The growth rate in rural employment decreased because agricultural sector contraction and inadequate labor absorption in new rural sectors created employment bottlenecks despite economic diversification.