Policemen and excise officers in Maharashtra will be paid if sales of liquor in licensed shops goes up.
The scheme is aimed at reducing cheap illicit bootleg liquor from unlicensed wayside stores.
The Indian Express reports the scheme, makes police officers directly responsible for ensuring that citizens guzzle liquor only from licensed shops.
Cash prizes are being offered to police stations if licensed liquor sales in their area go up by 20% to 30%.
If there is a dip in sales, there are provisions for 'soft' penalties such as a reprimand or a transfer.
Authorities say the scheme will only increase the efficiency of the officers.
State Excise minister Anil Deshmukh said: "It is funny, but true. Increase in liquor sale is being treated as a barometer to check the performance of our staff.
"If a particular area registers a hike in revenue from country liquor it means excise officers have controlled bootlegging as more people turn to licensed country liquor shops when they don't get cheap illicit liquor."
