Krishna was staying at Hotel ITC Maurya at Sardar Patel Marg. Tharoor, who was staying at Hotel Taj Mahal on Man Singh Road, has moved to an Indian Navy guesthouse since Sep 1.

The report has embarrassed the government at a time when it has embarked on an austerity drive, asking ministers and bureaucrats to cut down on needless expenses in time of recession and deepening drought.

However, an aide to Krishna said the minister was extremely upset as he was paying for the hotel stay from his pocket.

'Not a penny has been spent by the government. The media is just indulging in sensationalism,' the aide told IANS.