The correct answer is (a) Oil and natural gas.
Oil and natural gas have been a major driver of Assam’s post-Independence economy. The state is home to the world’s largest natural gas field, the Brahmaputra Valley gas field. The field was discovered in 1962 and has been in production since 1967. The gas field is operated by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a state-owned oil and gas company.
The development of the oil and gas industry has had a significant impact on the economy of Assam. The industry has created jobs, generated revenue, and attracted investment. The industry has also helped to improve the infrastructure of the state, including roads, bridges, and power plants.
The development of the oil and gas industry has also had some negative impacts on the environment. The industry has caused air and water pollution, and has led to deforestation. The industry has also displaced people from their homes.
Despite the negative impacts, the development of the oil and gas industry has been a major driver of Assam’s post-Independence economy. The industry has created jobs, generated revenue, and attracted investment. The industry has also helped to improve the infrastructure of the state.
The other options are incorrect because they have not been major drivers of Assam’s post-Independence economy.
Tourism is a growing industry in Assam, but it has not been a major driver of the economy. The state has a number of tourist attractions, including Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, and the Brahmaputra River. However, tourism has not generated as much revenue or created as many jobs as the oil and gas industry.
Information Technology is a promising industry in Assam, but it is still in its early stages of development. The state has a number of universities and colleges with computer science and engineering programs. However, the IT industry has not yet created a significant number of jobs or generated much revenue.
Manufacturing is a declining industry in Assam. The state used to have a number of manufacturing plants, but many of them have closed down. The main reason for the decline of manufacturing is the lack of investment. The state government has not been able to attract investment from private companies.