India, Oct. 14 -- Union agriculture minister Shivraj Chouhan on Tuesday announced that the Centre has released Rs.587 crore for 36,703 houses damaged in the recent floods in Punjab.

Addressing an event in Ludhiana, Chouhan said each affected household has been provided Rs.1.2 lakh for repairing damaged houses and an additional Rs.40,000 for constructing toilets besides clearing labour expenses.

"The Centre stands firmly with the people of Punjab in their time of need," he said.

The Union minister said that the Centre has released Rs.74 crore for free wheat seeds and Rs.3.24 crore for mustard seeds for Punjab farmers.

"In addition, Rs.222 crore has been issued in advance under the PM Kisan Nidhi Yojana to provide immediate relief to fl...