MSTC seems to have been chosen as the agency for conducting the coal block auction. Another city-based company mjunction is also in the race for the job. However, the government felt that there might arise a conflict of interest as mjunction is a joint venture of the Steel Authority of India and Tata Steel. Both companies are engaged in e-commerce of coal. MSTC, being a government company, has worked in its favour.
mjunction is associated with e-commerce in coal through its arm coaljunction. It has traded 214 million tonnes of coal, valued at Rs.300 crore. MSTC, on the other hand, was a canalising agency for importing old ships for breaking, till it entered the e-commerce area in 2002.
