New Delhi, Jul 13 (IANS): Assuming office Wednesday as the new minister of state for communications and information technology, Milind Deora said increasing the penetration of telephone services in rural areas would be his first priority.

"My first priority as minister will be to increase the telephony services in rural areas, and that too, at affordable prices," said Deora who was appointed as minister for the first time.

"The service offered will have to be affordable, but has to give revenue to the government as well," added Deora soon after moving into his new office.

Deora was first elected to parliament in 2004 from South Mumbai constituency at the age of 27, which made him one of the youngest MPs ever. He continues to represent the same constituency, having won in the last general elections as well.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh reshuffled his cabinet Tuesday and inducted some young faces, including Deora, into his cabinet. Many say his father Murli Deora, a veteran Congress party leader and who was corporate affairs minister, opted out to ensure a berth for his son, but the young minister said all such talk was baseless.

Murli Deora had resigned from the cabinet citing old age and an urge to work for the party.