An unyielding opposition Friday continued to disrupt the proceedings of parliament demanding a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) on the India-US civil nuclear deal and forced adjournments of both houses without transacting any major business.

Although the government managed to pass two bills - one each in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha - in record time amid the din, none of the important debates listed in the day's business took place.

While Shipping and Transport Minister T.R. Baalu secured the passage of the Carriage by Road Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha passed the Apprentices (Amendment) Bill 2007 even as opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MPs trooped to the well shouting slogans against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.

The Carriage by Road Bill - that has long-term implications for truckers and road transporters - was passed with amendments of 18 clauses of the bill proposed initially. The Apprentices (Amendment) Bill 2007 amended the original Apprentices Act 1961 - that provided reservation for scheduled castes and tribes in apprenticeship training - to add other backward classes also.

The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as well as United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA) MPs continued to disrupt the proceedings in both houses, sticking to their demand for a JPC on the nuclear deal.

The government has repeatedly ruled out a JPC saying that no international agreement had been subjected to parliament's scrutiny or ratification in the 57 years of since the constitution came into force.

The government also rejected the opposition's demand for dismantling the 15-member UPA-Left committee formed to look into the concerns over the deal expressed by the communist allies of the government.

When the Lok Sabha met, BJP's deputy leader V.K. Malhotra sought suspension of question hour to raise the issue. When it was denied, the BJP MPs swarmed the well of the house and shouted slogans like "We want JPC" and "JPC lao desh ko Bachao" (Set up JPC, save the nation).

In the din, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi said: "They (opposition) are afraid of a debate. They will be exposed. People will teach them a lesson."

The Lok Sabha was adjourned initially till 12 noon. When it met again, the papers listed for the day were tabled, followed by the passage of the bill.

When the house met at 12 noon, Malhotra said: "The opposition has been demanding a JPC on an issue on which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made statements in parliament thrice."

Though Dasmunsi tried to make a statement regarding the government business next week, opposition members insisted that no business would be allowed until the government agreed to a JPC.

Meanwhile, Speaker Chatterjee condemned the alleged Maoist attack on MP and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister N. Janardhan Reddy. He and his wife N. Rajyalakshmi, a minister in the state government, Friday escaped an attempt on their lives by suspected Maoists in Nellore district. Two Congress workers and a driver were killed in the landmine explosion triggered by the Maoists.

"We condemn the incident and (are) happy that he escaped unhurt. The government has to take appropriate action," the speaker said.

Rajya Sabha also witnessed repeated adjournments as MPs ran to the well raising slogans against the government. The opposition MPs refused to take up the debate on the nuclear deal that was listed for the day.

The Lok Sabha is scheduled to discuss the agreement on Monday but the opposition has made it clear that it will not allow any business to be transacted unless the government agrees to set up a JPC.

The NDA has been stalling the proceedings of both houses over the JPC demand since last Friday.