Answer : 3. "3"
Explanation :

were will replace was because – The various consequences (Main Subject) is in Plural. Hence, the Verb will also be in Plural as a Verb agrees with its Subject in Number.

Singular Subject → Singular Verb (Main Verb + S)

Plural Subject → Plural Verb (Main Verb without S)

Look at the examples given below :

The number of volunteers grows

         ↓                                    ↓

Singular subject                     singular verb

each year.

A number of people grow

         ↓                                    ↓

Plural Subject                   Plural Verb

tomatoes each summer.

Hence, finance ministry were not foreseen by the bureaucrats is the right usage.