In Uttar Pradesh, the state owned Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation has taken several steps for recovery of arrears of 17 thousand crore rupees from its consumers and minimise power loss in distribution.Talking to our Allahabad Correspondent, the Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr. A P Mishra said that maximum arrears are pending with farmers owning tube-wells across the state. He said that it was very unfortunate that tendency has developed among tube-well owners for not paying their electricity bills. He said that Ariel Bunched Cables are being laid in theft prone areas to prevent power theft.Mr. Mishra said that Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme funded by the Centre, is being implemented in true spirit to bring down technical and commercial losses in distribution network power system of the state. He said, under this Programme, new L.T. lines are being constructed and Capacity Augmentation of the existing Sub-stations is in progress to relieve the power system from overloading. He accepted that about 35 to 40 per cent power loss is taking place in the state. He said that about 16 hours power supply to the industries is being ensured as in the present condition, 24 hours supply is not possible.