The problem of multiple occurrence of some irreducible representations (irreps) of SU(3) in totally symmetric partitions of U(15) is examined. A simple and straightforward method is suggested to remove the degeneracies in the states belonging to such irreps using elementary permissible diagrams. The method is illustrated by applying it to ¹⁷⁰Yb to explain the multiple occurrence of K=0⁺ excited bands.