Rudrapur, May 19 -- Nainital district administration has intensified its crackdown on illegal homestays, inspecting 238 such facilities across the district, officials said on Monday. During the drive, 35 homestays were found operating without registration, while 123 were either closed or being run on lease in violation of government norms. The inspection drive was launched on Sunday following complaints that several homestays were operating illegally or violating the provisions of the state's homestay scheme. "Lalit Mohan Rayal, district magistrate of Nainital, said homestay owners have been instructed to operate their facilities strictly as per norms. Those running homestays without registration have been directed to complete the registration process," officials said. The joint inspection teams of the district administration carried out the drive under the supervision of Vivek Rai, additional district magistrate of Nainital. Officials found that many homestay owners were not residing on the premises and had leased out their properties to others, effectively running them like hotels. "Many homestay owners live elsewhere and have rented out or leased their facilities to others. This violates the homestay scheme. As per norms, the owner must reside at the homestay and provide services such as food so that families can earn a livelihood through the scheme," Rayal said. According to the administration, 91 homestays were inspected in Nainital town, of which eight were found illegal and 39 were operating on lease. In the Kainchi Dham area, 48 homestays were inspected, with 13 found illegal and 34 operating in violation of norms. In Dhari block, officials checked 40 homestays and found four illegal and 22 operating against the scheme's provisions. In Ramnagar, 31 homestays were inspected, of which four were illegal and 18 were either shut or being run like hotels. Similarly, in Kaladhungi, 20 homestays were inspected and four were found illegal while nine had been leased out. In Lalkuan, three homestays were checked and one was found operating against the norms. In Haldwani, five homestays were inspected, of which two were found running without registration....