"Cosmetically unacceptable to the public" is reason enough to deny employment to any category of posts in the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation. This is not an "off the cuff" remark but the official stand of the Corporation in its counter affidavit filed before this Court. Efficiency is of no consequence, it is a persons looks/physical appearance that matters. "Vitiligo", a skin disorder, wherein white/grey patches are formed in parts of the body for lack of proper pigmentation, has resulted in the petitioner being found medically unfit for appointment as a Conductor in A2 category. Lest they be subjected to the criticism that, in the guise of recruiting Conductors, the respondent Corporation is, in fact, holding a beauty pageant, the possibility of deterioration/loss of vision in the distant future is cited as a consequence of contracting "Vitiligo".

2. Pursuant to a notification issued by the respondents, inviting applications for the posts of Conductor, the petitioner appeared for the test and interview held on 04-03-1998 and was selected. He was subjected to a medical examination. The Medical officer, in his report dated 27-03-1998, opined that the petitioner