Bhubaneswar, June 5: An official of the Central Board of Secondary Education today said protests over discrepancies in the Class XII results this year were "blown out of proportion".

Hundreds of parents and students still continue to protest over such discrepancies in the city.

The last date to apply for marks verification concluded today. The students can now obtain photocopies of the answer sheets by applying for it from June 14 to 19.

Regional officer of the board's Bhubaneswar region Sumita Singh told The Telegraph the number of applicants received for re-checking was less than 10 per cent. "Every year, we receive grievances from the parents and teachers regarding marks - which is a common phenomenon. Even this year, the number of applications received is not more than normal," she said. Around 58,935 students appeared for the examinations from the Bhubaneswar region (consisting of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Bengal).

Resentment mounted among students and parents across the state after declaration of the Class XII results on May 28 as results of more than 13,000 students were withheld. Protests began from the next day after students complained of discrepancy in results. Many students, who claimed to have taken the tests well, allegedly secured single-digit marks or failed in some subjects. Singh said: "If any mistake on part of the board is found even after the re-checking is done, things will be taken care of. Those, who are not satisfied with their marks, can apply to the board and we will provide them photocopies of the answer sheets."

"We have formed a team, which are working day and night to complete the process of verification. The admission season has begun and we are working on continuously to update the results of the applicants," she said.

However, students and parents are still apprehensive about the results. "Around 2,500 applications were submitted on the first day and we are sure there were similar cases in other parts of the region as well. The board officials are trying to hush up the matter," said Ankita Patnaik, a parent.