PATNA, July 24 -- A performance audit by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) tabled in the assembly on Thursday found that Bihar's flagship 'Har Ghar Nal Ka Jal' (HGNJ) yojana - launched to provide piped drinking water to every household - fell short of its targets and was marred by inflated coverage figures, poor water quality management and weak monitoring despite an allocation of Rs.30,500.92 crore over six years. The CAG recommended the state conduct detailed household/ward surveys to ensure efficient planning and 100% coverage of eligible beneficiaries; strengthen inter-departmental coordination so essential components like chlorinators are provided in all schemes, regardless of implementing agency; improve planning and adopt a common, real-time reporting system across departments to reflect actual field progress; strengthen contract and financial management to avoid delays, excess payments and incomplete works; cover all quality-affected wards with functional water treatment plants; upgrade laboratory infrastructure and deploy adequate manpower to strengthen water quality testing; take timely remedial measures wherever arsenic, fluoride or iron contamination exceeds permissible limits, among others....