Allegations have emerged in Chaugachha, Jashore, that government grants have been allocated and withdrawn year after year in the name of a library that exists solely on paper without any physical presence. It has also surfaced that a brother and sister have long been using the library's name to run a personal business, stirring widespread anger among authentic culture enthusiasts, conscious locals, and those affiliated with genuine libraries in the area.

Sources reveal that grants were distributed under the Private Library Grant Program by the Library Wing of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. While 15 libraries are registered under the Jashore Public Library roster in Chaugachha Upazila, three secured government grants in the current fiscal year. Despite lacking registration with the Jashore Public Library and having no physical existence on the ground, "Hauli Jubo Gronthagar" in Hauli village of Pashapole Union received 54,000 BDT under Category 'C' at serial number 74 for FY 2025–2026, alongside 56,100 BDT under Category 'C' at serial number 91 in FY 2024–2025. The library is run by Abdus Salam, son of Ahmad Ali of Hauli village, and his sister Monowara Begum, who resides in Jashore town. Accusations indicate the duo has operated this business in the guise of a library for roughly seven years, consistently drawing state allocations through fabricated paper records since 2019 to pocket public funds. It was further discovered that Monowara Begum runs another entity named 'Uposhohor Gronthagar' in Jashore, which also secured a 54,000 BDT grant under Category 'C' this fiscal year, despite neither library having an actual physical setup.

An on-site investigation based on these allegations revealed that local villagers and immediate neighbors are completely unaware of any library existing in Hauli village. There is no signpost on display. Abdus Salam, who manages the entity, identified himself as the General Secretary and his sister Monowara Begum as the President, with locals noting that his sister manages all external dealings. Entering the claimed library premises showed that the room is actually a residential unit rented out to Muktarul Islam and his spouse from Satkhira, who live there due to employment needs. Inside one room, a few bookshelves house scattered volumes, all four shelves and books having been acquired from the government-funded Mujib Corner in 2023 without any independent collection of their own. Salam failed to produce a book register, daily visitor ledger, member roster, resolution diary, inspection log, or other mandatory records, nor were there any reading tables or chairs. However, President Monowara Begum sent a photo via WhatsApp showing an enlistment certificate from the National Book Centre, signed on September 16, 2021, by its then-Director Minar Rashid under registration number JaGraKe/0464. Crucially, reaching the designated structure requires wading through bushes along a pond bank. Asked how an entity riddled with such anomalies secures state grants annually, Salam offered no satisfactory response and could not name a single member, while locals confirmed having no idea who belongs to it. It was further learned that when an inspection delegation from the National Book Centre arrived in 2025 to verify the facility, Salam hurriedly rented a shop unit at Bariyali Bazar, hung a signboard, and dismantled it immediately after the team departed, carting the books and sign back home.

Several residents of Hauli village, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the siblings have long exploited the library's name to siphon state funds for commerce, behaving aggressively when confronted, with Monowara Begum coordinating the arrangements. Despite its non-existence on the ground, the institution remains on official rolls, siphoning public money and raising grave questions about how a fictitious body devoid of premises, readers, or curated collections clears official inspections. Villagers alleged that inspection reports were orchestrated for mysterious motives without field checks, depriving active upazila libraries of their legitimate dues. Local civil society figures condemned the embezzlement of state funds under fictitious entities and demanded an immediate, impartial investigation to hold perpetrators accountable. Contacted by Agamir Somoy, General Secretary Abdus Salam claimed the library is registered, repairs are underway, and matters will be rectified soon. Jashore Senior District Librarian Tazmul Islam noted that the National Book Centre validates ground reports before submitting grant proposals, stating that the inclusion of unregistered or ghost entities falls under the cultural ministry's purview while promising recommendations for action if discrepancies occurred. Chaugachha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Farzana Islam affirmed that legal action will be taken if investigations reveal the library is non-existent or secured funds through fabricated data, stressing that misappropriation of public funds will not be tolerated.