Goa, Jan. 10 -- Barely weeks after the devastating Arpora nightclub fire that claimed 25 lives and shook Goa's conscience, the State government's much-publicised safety audit crack ing down on hospitality establish ments that were flouting rules has all but collapsed, exposing the exercise as little more than an eyewash. The inspection and verification drive targeting restaurants, night clubs and beach shacks has come to a complete standstill in South Goa. With inspections halted and no fol low-up mechanism in place, estab lishments flagged for serious safety violations continue to operate un checked, undermining the very pur pose of the post-tragedy action. Senior officials confirmed that inspections have been suspended for weeks.

The p...