Shiv Sena has opposed to the project, saying the agreement will impact the environment The anti-nuclear lobby led by the Konkan Bachao Samiti (KBC) has urged the Election Commission of India and the Maharashtra chief electoral officer (CEO) to direct the Centre to defer the signing of commercial agreement between the Nuclear Power Corporation (NPC) and French major AREVA for the Jaitapur nuclear power project till the Lok Sabha elections are over. KBC's move comes close on the heels of the Shiv Sena stepping up its opposition against the 9,900-MW Jaitapur project. Besides, local fishing community has also voiced against the project development arguingShiv that it will impact the various species of fish and the environment in general. However, an AREVA official in an email reply told Business Standard: "The commercial negotiations with the NPC are in progress for first two evolutionary pressurized reactors (EPR) at Jaitapur site. AREVA would like to reach an agreement with the NPC on all technical and commercial terms of the contract that is yet to be signed.'' KBC office-bearers Vivek Monteiro and Adwait Pednekar said they had sought the intervention of the EC and the state CEO based on the recent press reports that AREVA and NPC were about to enter into a commercial agreement. Reports also say that a draft agreement is sent to the PMO for approval. ''A commercial agreement between AREVA and NPC in respect of Jaitapur project would entail a commitment of expenditure running into more than a lakh crore of rupees. It would be inappropriate and illegal for the Government of India to enter into or give approval for such an agreement during the period where the Election Code of Conduct is applicable,'' Monteiro and Pednekar said. On the other hand, AREVA clarified they are yet to enter into commercial agreement with NPC. "Following the Indo-French Nuclear Cooperation Agreement in 2008, AREVA and NPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding in February 2009 for a partnership in nuclear power generation to build up to six EPR reactors at Jaitapur site in Maharashtra and provide life-time fuel supply for these units. In December 2010, AREVA and NPCIL signed the Early Works Agreement (EWA) for the construction of the first two EPRTM reactors and supply of fuel for 25 years.'' The spokesperson reiterated that negotiations between AREVA and NPC were underway.