Shimla, July 22 -- Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday urged the Himachal members of Parliament (MPs) to request special package for the disaster-hit state in the Parliament's monsoon session. In a post on social media, chief minister wrote, "All of you MPs will be aware that the state is going through a terrible natural disaster. In this disaster, people's homes were destroyed, lives were lost, people are in pain due to lifelong capital and hopes being buried underthe rubble. I urge the MPs representing the state in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to become the voice of Himachal. Demand a special disaster relief package for the state. Along with this, a concrete initiative should also be discussed to know the reasons for the recurring disasters and to prevent them." CM Sukhu also took feedback from the deputy commissioners to assess the situation of the state and directed them to remain alert and take proactive measures to avert any untoward incidents. Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday sought Centre's assistance for restoration work in the villages facing devastation due to heavy rains across Mandi. Terming the destruction as unprecedented, Jai Ram, addressing a press conference on Monday, said, "This is not just one rainy season, it's a calamity that will haunt usfor decades. I will personally meet Union home minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister and will take MPs along withand push for maximum central assistance," he said. "We need massive help because restoration willtake several years. Everything I had built in my 30 years asan MLA in my constituencyhas been destroyed," said Jai Ram. He called for a special cabinet-approved package for affected houses and questioned why no notification has been issued even after 21 days. "Is it because this is the constituency of the Leader of Opposition?" he asked....